When working on projects that require high-speed motion in a compact form factor, traditional brushless motors can be difficult to integrate due to their size and complexity. This is why MotorCell is unique as it combines the rotor, stator, and driver into a single, ultra-compact module.
In this post, we’ll explore the MotorCell’s design, driver functionality, and integration into your projects.
MotorCell is the smallest coreless high-speed PCB motor with planar PCB windings and built-in sensorless control, eliminating the need for extra sensors! By integrating everything into a single module, it provides a tiny and compact solution for makers and developers working on applications requiring high speed motor control.
Designed for low-torque, high-speed applications, MotorCell supports PWM-based speed control and works seamlessly with the MotorCell library, which includes prebuilt PID control for CodeCell and other ESP32-based devices.
It's PCB stator is made from a 6-layer FR4 board, that has 6 copper windings connected in a star-shape configuration. This makes the motor a 3-phase axial-flux brushless motor. These type of motors need to be powered with specific timings to generate a commutation waveform and rotate the magnetic rotor on top.
This is why MotorCell also utilizes the BD67173NUX chip as its three-phase back-EMF controller, enabling a sensorless commutation, so no Hall sensors required. This driver allows speed adjustments via the input signal PWM duty cycle, with a resolution of around 1,000 RPM increments. The IN pin is by defaults low, running the motor at the maximum speed when pulled high (2.5V–5V).
If the motor is forced to stop, it enters a 5-second lock protection mode, which can be instantly resets when PWM is set to 0% and restarted - this is automatically managed by the MotorCell library’s Spin function.
We believe the exciting advantage of PCB motors lies in their ability to integrate seamlessly with electronics, eliminating the need for additional PCBs. That’s why we’ve made it simpler to incorporate the Stator directly into your custom PCB, thanks to its Open Source Design - available here.
However, building a high-speed rotor remains a complex challenge. To make things easier, you can purchase the rotor separately, allowing you to effortlessly add a PCB motor to your board for a more compact design while ensuring a reliable rotor configuration!
To get started with Arduino:
With the MotorCell library installed, you can easily control speed, direction, and monitor its RPM, explained in more detail in our other tutorials.
Ready to start experimenting? Grab a MotorCell today and check out the MotorCell GitHub Repository for more code examples and technical documentation!
