simplefoc / Arduino-SimpleFOC-PowerShield

A powerful Arduino shield for running BLDC motors using the FOC algorithm

Arduino SimpleFOC PowerShield v0.2

A powerful arduino shield for running BLDC motors using the FOC algorithm. This board is based on the BTN8982 half bridges and can support currents up to 30 Amps continuous and 50Amps peak. Making it a board that can run virtually any BLDC motor.

⚠️ BEWARE: BTN8982/IFX007T performance issues

BTN8982 and IFX007T drivers have been designed for DC motors and are based on old H-bridge technology. They have very long mosfet rise time (multiple microseconds) which in many cases presents a considerable part of the PWM duty cycle. When running the BLDC motors, precise PWM duty cycle setting is crucial for smooth and efficient operation. Therefore these drivers will not be able to provide very smooth operation on high frequency PWM (above 15kHz). Read more about it in the community thread: link.
This performance constraint is the main reason why the SimpleFOC PowerShield project has for now been put on hold, and although these boards are available through Aliexpress and some other platforms, they will not be available through simplefoc.com.

This does not mean that the board itself is not functional or that it will not work in your project though. It is still one of the cheapest (simplest) solutions out there for mid to high power BLDC control and with proper tuning of control loops you will still be able to get some good results with it.

Features

• Plug & play: In combination with Arduino SimpleFOClibrary - github
• Low-cost: Fabrication price under €25/pcs - will not be sold by silplefoc.com
• High-side current sensing: - not yet supported by SimpleFOClibrary
• In-line current sensing: - supported by SimpleFOClibrary
• Max power <500W: max current 30A, power-supply 24V
• Arduino headers: Arduino UNO, Arduino MEGA, STM32 Nucleo boards, Aruidno DUE...
• Small size: 53mm x 60mm
• Encoder/Hall sensors interface: Integrated 3.3kΩ pullups (configurable)
• Open Source:
  • Fully available fabrication files
    • If never done it before, see a similar guide for SimpleFOCShield: how to make it yourself
  • Altium project
  • 3d model
  • schematics

Future features

• Stackable: running 2 motors in the same time
• I2C interface: Integrated 4.7kΩ pullups (configurable)
• Configurable pinout: Hardware configuration - soldering connections

New version of the SimpleFOC PowerShield is in the development at the moment (v0.3). The first versions are currently in testing. For more info check the developmental branch

Pinouts

At this point PowerShield has fixed pinout.

Driver pinout

Signal	Description	Pin number
IN1	pwm 1	9
IN2	pwm 2	6
IN3	pwm 3	5
INH1	enable 1	8
INH2	enable 2	7
INH3	enable 3	4

Current sensing pinout

Signal	Description	Pin number
CS1	in-line current sense - phase 1/A	A0
CS2	in-line current sense - phase 3/C	A1
IS1	high-side current sense - phase 1/A	A2
IS2	high-side current sense - phase 2/B	A3

Sensor input pinout

Signal	Description	Pin number
A/ U	Encoder A, Hall sensor U	10
B/ V	Encoder B, Hall sensor V	11
I/ W	Encoder C, Hall sensor W	12