Try to think of a moment when you have not used any type of motor? From ceiling fans in homes to car Windows to sophisticated surgical instruments in hospitals, electric motors have become the cornerstone of modern technology, consuming more than half of the world's electricity. Improved energy efficiency can significantly reduce global electricity demand, and the best-performing motors are equipped with intelligent controls.
    In his 2024 white paper, Design Challenges and Considerations for Brushless DC Motors and Their Drives, Qorvo Applications Engineer Jose Quinones delves into the challenges and benefits of brushless direct current (BLDC) motors. "Electric motors have been in use for 100 to 150 years." "At first they were very simple, just connected to a power source. However, this is not the most efficient way to perform motor-driven tasks, so you can imagine what demands have been placed on these motors over the past century. They're having to become more sophisticated, and so are the devices that control them."
    "For the past 12 years, we have been working on integrating motor control into a single chip to make applications more compact. It also saves costs. Some applications do require a smaller footprint, such as battery-operated drills; All of its available space is basically within the size of the palm of your hand. That creates a lot of design challenges, but if you can overcome those challenges, there are also a lot of benefits."

Design challenge
Initial cost
     Compared to conventional motors, BLDC motors and their drivers have higher upfront costs
    Integration of advanced control electronics increased initial investment
Complex control system
    Complex control algorithms are required to optimize performance
    Powerful processing power and advanced software are required to optimize operation
Motor selection
    Select the right motor type according to the application requirements (e.g. continuous and intermittent torque, speed, etc.)
    Ensure compatibility with existing systems and meet performance expectations
Sensor integration
     Determine the type and position of the sensor for accurate rotor position detection
    Balance the cost and performance of different sensing technologies, such as Hall-effect sensors and optical encoders
Thermal management
    Effectively dissipate heat generated by the operation of power electronics and motors
    The cost and performance of maintaining performance and service life under different operating conditions
Advantages of BLDC motors
High performance
    The efficiency can reach more than 96%, thus achieving significant energy saving effects
    Life cycle costs are reduced due to reduced power consumption
Long service life
    With no brush wear, maintenance requirements are minimal
    Durability and high reliability in various applications
Compact and lightweight
    The higher power density allows for the design of more compact motors
    Ideal for applications with strict space and weight requirements
Performance enhancement
    recise control of speed and torque through advanced drive electronics
Smooth operation, smaller torque ripple; Especially for sinusoidal commutation
Widely used
    Suitable for a wide range of applications from small hand-held tools to large industrial machinery
    It can flexibly cooperate with battery power supply system and mains power supply system