Abstract: Motor driver circuitry including driver transistors coupled to first and second output terminals, gate driver circuitry with outputs coupled to gate terminals of the driver transistors, controller circuitry coupled to the gate driver circuitry, a trip limit current source, an open-load limit current source, comparator circuitry, and fault detect circuitry. The comparator circuitry is coupled to the driver transistors, to the trip limit current source, and to the open-load limit current source. The comparator circuitry compares a drive current at the driver transistors with a trip limit current responsive to a signal from the controller indicating a standstill state, and configured to compare the driver current with an open-load limit current responsive to the signal indicating a motor running state. The fault detect circuitry has an input coupled to the comparator output and has a fault output.

Abstract: A method for controlling a stepper motor includes calculating a duty cycle of a current provided to the stepper motor and comparing a difference, between the calculated duty cycle and a base duty cycle of current provided to the stepper motor under a base load condition, to a reference duty cycle value. The method also includes adjusting a peak current level of the current provided to the stepper motor responsive to the comparison.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one example of the description, a circuit is adapted to be coupled to a coil of a motor via an H-bridge circuit. The circuit includes a duty sensor, a subtractor, and a comparator. The duty sensor is coupled to the coil of the motor and is configured to provide raw run duty data responsive to a coil current through the coil. The subtractor is coupled to the duty sensor and is configured to provide a differential duty signal responsive to a stall duty signal and a run duty signal obtained using the raw run duty data. The comparator is coupled to the subtractor and is configured to provide a stall signal indicative of a stall condition for the motor responsive to the differential duty signal and a threshold value.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one example of the description, a circuit is adapted to be coupled to a coil of a motor via an H-bridge circuit. The circuit includes a duty sensor, a subtractor, and a comparator. The duty sensor is coupled to the coil of the motor and is configured to provide raw run duty data responsive to a coil current through the coil. The subtractor is coupled to the duty sensor and is configured to provide a differential duty signal responsive to a stall duty signal and a run duty signal obtained using the raw run duty data. The comparator is coupled to the subtractor and is configured to provide a stall signal indicative of a stall condition for the motor responsive to the differential duty signal and a threshold value.

Abstract: A method for controlling a stepper motor includes calculating a duty cycle of a current provided to the stepper motor and comparing a difference, between the calculated duty cycle and a base duty cycle of current provided to the stepper motor under a base load condition, to a reference duty cycle value. The method also includes adjusting a peak current level of the current provided to the stepper motor responsive to the comparison.