This is an open-source low-cost Brushless DC (BLDC) motor driver board intended primarily for low-power FOC applications up to 5Amps. The board is fully compatible with the Arduino UNO and all the boards with the standard Arduino headers. The SimpleFOCShield, in combination with the SimpleFOClibrary provides user-friendly way to control BLDC motors both in hardware and software.
- Plug & play: In combination with Arduino SimpleFOClibrary - github
- Low-cost: Price of 15-30€ - Check the pricing
- In-line current sensing: Up to 5Amps bidirectional
- ACS712 hall current sensor
- Integrated 8V regulator:
- Enable/disable by soldering pads
- Absolute max ratings - Designed for Gimbal motors with the internal resistance >10 Ωs.
- Max current: 3A,
- Max input voltage: 35V
- Stackable: running 2 motors in the same time
- Encoder/Hall sensors interface: Integrated 3.3kΩ pullups (configurable)
- I2C interface: Integrated 4.7kΩ pullups (configurable)
- Configurable pinout: Hardware configuration - soldering connections
- Arduino headers: Arduino UNO, Arduino MEGA, STM32 Nucleo boards...
- Open Source:
- Fully designed in EasyEDA: EasyEDA project 🎉
- Fully available fabrication files - how to make it yourself
- Transition away from stm's L6234 chip to DRV8313, which is much more available
- Transition form TI's INA240 current amps to Allegro's ACS712 hall sensors
- Smaller footprint: 56mm x 53mm
- Fault and reset pins exposed (optional)
- Fault led indication
- Designed completely in EasyEDA, which is a free online PCB design tool - Official Easy EDA project
More info on board fabrication docs.
| Feature | SimpleFOCShield v1.x | SimpleFOCShield v2.x | SimpleFOCShield v3.x |
|---|---|---|---|
| PWM Driver | L6234 | L6234 | DRV8313 |
| Current Sense | ❌ | INA240 | ACS712 |
| Current measurement range | ❌ | (configurable) ±3.3/5Amps | ±5Amps |
| Onboard LDO | ❌ | LM7808 | LM7808 |
| Stackable | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Max current | 2Amps (5Amp peak) | 2Amps (5Amp peak) | 2Amps (3Amp peak) |
| Max voltage | 24V | 35V | 35V |
| Protections | Overtemperature | Overtemperature | Overtemperature, Overcurrent |
| Footprint | 68mm x 53 mm | 68mm x 53 mm | 56mm x 53mm |
| Design tool | Altium Designer 2019 | Altium Designer 2019 | EasyEDA |
To check the release timeline, click here
| Version | link | Release date | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| SimpleFOCShield v1.3 | release v1.3 | 04/20 | Inital release |
| SimpleFOCShield v1.3.1 | release v1.3.1 | 07/20 | added Nucleo stacking support |
| SimpleFOCShield v1.3.2 | release v1.3.2 | 09/20 | added I2C pullups |
| SimpleFOCShield v1.3.3 | release v1.3.3 | 12/20 | adapted L6234 circuit + full Arduino header |
| SimpleFOCShield v2.0 | release v2.0 | 01/21 | - 3A in-line current sensing - 5V regulator - new pinout for hardware config |
| SimpleFOCShield v2.0.1 | release v2.0.1 | 01/21 | - reduced via size - configurable range |
| SimpleFOCShield v2.0.2 | release v2.0.2 | 02/21 | replaced 7805(connected to 5V) with 78M08 (connected to VIN) to be compatible with stm32 Nucleo-64 |
| SimpleFOCShield v2.0.3 | release v2.0.3 | 03/21 | - Shortened the lines from ADC to current sense - Typo fix : underside label switched phase A and phase B |
| SimpleFOCShield v2.0.4 | release v2.0.4 | 09/21 | - Pullup config simplified - Max input voltage 35V - removed CAP2 for a CL1 - Easy EDA version of the project |
| SimpleFOCShield v3.1 | release v3.1 | 10/22 | - Complete redesign - Transition to DRV8313 - Transition to ACS712 - Smaller footprint: 56mm x 53mm - Fault and reset pins exposed (optional) - Fault led indication - Fully developed using EasyEDA |
| SimpleFOCShield v3.2 | release v3.2 | 04/24 | - Official release - Resolved the bug #9 |
You already have your own SimpleFOCShield?
Here is a simple guide how to start preparing your setup
- Fabricate the board yourself: Please visit the board fabrication to find out how to manufacture the board yourself!
- Order the finished and tested board: Check out our shop.