www.ti.

com

Application Brief
Build Scalability in Cordless Power and Garden Tools
Using Low-Cost MSPM0 MCUs

Aaron Barrera

Today, cordless power tools (such as drills, saws, and impact wrenches) and cordless garden tools (such as
leaf blowers, string trimmers, and lawn mowers) are smaller, lighter, more efficient, and more powerful due
to advancements in battery technology and motor control techniques. All of these cordless tools require a
microcontroller (MCU) to control direct current through a motor, and depending on the application, the MCU can
also control different operating modes and integrated LEDs. TI’s MSPM0 MCUs can meet these requirements
with their high-performance features, broad portfolio, and diverse package sizes.

What are the common components in a power or garden tool design?

Cordless tool-related applications need to control a brushed-DC (BDC) or brushless-DC (BLDC) motor to apply
dynamic torque at a constant speed (such as drills and saws), or a constant torque at a dynamic speed (such
as blowers). In many designs, the user can adjust the speed of the motor while applying torque to the motor
to perform an action, like cutting or drilling wood with a bit, blade, chain, or wheel. For these designs, the main
components include:
• Brushed or brushless DC motor: Converts electrical energy into mechanical energy (torque).
• Motor control: PWM logic control signals based on real-time motor position and current feedback, which are
translated to driver signals to switch MOSFETs, energize motor windings, and deliver current to commutate
the motor.
• Input user interface: Selects torque, direction, or speed of the motor based on buttons, switches, or trigger
positions.
• Output user interface: Provides illumination or visual feedback using LEDs or audible feedback using
speakers.
• MCU: Leverages integrated digital and analog modules to commutate the motor based on input user
interface, communicate with other devices in the system, and provide output user interface for system status.
An application can use TI devices for most of these components that use TI devices for the driver and power
stage across a wide range of 3-phase BLDC motor voltages and powers.

SLAAEA3A – MARCH 2023 – REVISED SEPTEMBER 2023 Build Scalability in Cordless Power and Garden Tools Using Low-Cost MSPM0 1
Submit Document Feedback MCUs
Copyright © 2023 Texas Instruments Incorporated
 www.ti.com

Power Stage, Hall Sensor

Motor MCU Motor Voltage Predriver
Inverter Feedback
H-bridge Gate Driver
5.5 V to 60 V
(DRV870x series) MOSFET (CSD
Brushed-DC
H-bridge Gate Driver series)
5 V to115 V
(DRV877x series)
MSPM0Lxx Arm 3-phase BLDC Motor Driver (DRV831x
Cortex M0+ 32 MHz 3 V to 40 V
series) Hall Sensor
MCUs or MSPM0Gxx
BLDC Gate Driver (DRV5xxx series)
Arm Cortex M0+ 80 4.5 V to 60 V
MHz MCUs (DRV832x series)
Brushless-DC
BLDC Gate Driver MOSFET (CSD
8 V to 100 V
(DRV835x series) series)
BLDC Gate Driver
5 V to 100 V
(DRV8300x series)

Why is MSPM0 considered for power and garden tool applications?

Texas Instruments' scalable MSPM0 MCU portfolio features an Arm® 32-bit Cortex-M0+ core with a maximum
CPU speed of 32-MHz or 80-MHz, depending on the device. The pin-to-pin compatible portfolio covers 4 KB
to 512 KB of flash memory with scalable analog integration and motor control modules. With extensive digital,
analog, and interface integration, MSPM0 can provide a high-performance and robust option for motor control
designs.

What can MSPM0 do in power and garden tool applications?

For basic BDC systems
Most entry-level power tools such as drills, drivers, jigsaws, circular saws, shop vacuums, and even some
garden tools like the propulsion system in some electric mowers require a relatively inexpensive low-speed BDC
motor.
In this type of system, the MCU performs a simple motor control algorithm to control the motor speed and
direction while handling any motor faults. Typically, the MCU also acts as the main processor in the system to
control other components such as LEDs or to communicate with other devices such as the battery management
system (BMS) in the battery pack. Texas Instruments' 32-MHz MSPM0Lxx series is an option for these types of
products.

2 Build Scalability in Cordless Power and Garden Tools Using Low-Cost MSPM0 SLAAEA3A – MARCH 2023 – REVISED SEPTEMBER 2023
MCUs Submit Document Feedback
Copyright © 2023 Texas Instruments Incorporated
www.ti.com

Figure 1. MSPM0Lxxx Block Diagram for Brushed-DC Motor Control in Power Tools

Key feature requirements for MCUs in these applications:

• General-purpose timers with complimentary PWM outputs
• 12-bit 1-Msps analog-to-digital converter (ADC)
• 8-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC)
• Two op-amps with programmable gain (OPAs)
• High-speed comparator (COMP)
• Communication interfaces (UART, I2C, SPI)
• General-purpose inputs and outputs(GPIOs)
Software functions performed on the MCU:
• Control motor speed by generating pulse-width modulation signals (PWMs) based on trigger position and
motor current
• Change motor direction based on switch position
• Continuously measure battery voltage and handle any system faults
• Monitor the temperature of the MOSFETs
• Communicate periodically with the battery pack
• Control status or illumination LEDs
For sensored BLDC systems requiring high torque
Many high-performance power tools such as hammer drills and heavy-duty impact wrenches require a BLDC
motor to achieve higher power, higher torque, longer lifetime and better efficiency compared to a BDC motor.
Sensored BLDC motor applications are typically easier to implement because Hall-effect sensors, Hall elements,
or rotary encoders detect the position of the motor regardless of the load conditions, which maintains reliable
high-torque start-up and robust operation.

SLAAEA3A – MARCH 2023 – REVISED SEPTEMBER 2023 Build Scalability in Cordless Power and Garden Tools Using Low-Cost MSPM0 3
Submit Document Feedback MCUs
Copyright © 2023 Texas Instruments Incorporated
 www.ti.com

In this type of system, the MCU performs a motor control scheme by generating multiple configurable PWMs
in the correct sequence based on feedback from the position sensors and measuring the motor current.
Typically, the MCU also acts as the main MCU in the system to control other components such as LEDs
or communicate with other devices such as the battery management system in the battery pack or onboard
inertial measurement unit (IMU). With a maximum CPU speed of 80 MHz, advanced timers, integrated
analog, enhanced communication interfaces, high-drive inputs and outputs (HDIOs), and CAN-FD interface,
the MSPM0Gxx series meets these requirements and is a great choice for these types of products.

Figure 2. MSPM0Gxxx Block Diagram for Sensored BLDC Motor Control in Power Tools

Key feature requirements for MCUs in these applications:

• Advanced timers with complimentary PWM outputs and deadband
• 12-bit 4-Msps ADC
• 12-bit DAC
• Two OPAs with programmable gain
• Two high-speed COMPs
• Communication interfaces (UART, I2C, SPI)
• GPIOs and HDIOs
Software functions performed on the MCU:
• Configure gate driver and diagnose motor faults using optional SPI interface
• Control motor speed by generating PWMs based on trigger position, motor current, and motor position
sensors
• Change motor direction or adjust torque output based on switches or buttons
• Continuously measure battery voltage and handle any system faults
• Monitor the temperature of the MOSFETs
• Communicate periodically with the battery pack and other sensors
• Control status or illumination LEDs
For sensorless BLDC systems requiring high speed or small form factor
Outdoor products such as electric mowers, string trimmers, and leaf blowers and also power tools such as
low-voltage electric screwdrivers require compact high-speed sensorless BLDC motors. Unlike sensored BLDC
motors, these motors do not require position sensors, which saves board space and reduces packaging in
designs that require a small form factor. However, sensorless BLDC motors are more challenging to implement

4 Build Scalability in Cordless Power and Garden Tools Using Low-Cost MSPM0 SLAAEA3A – MARCH 2023 – REVISED SEPTEMBER 2023
MCUs Submit Document Feedback
Copyright © 2023 Texas Instruments Incorporated
www.ti.com

than sensored BLDC motors because there are no position sensors to provide motor speed or position data
during dynamic load conditions.
In this type of system, the MCU performs an advanced motor control scheme by generating multiple configurable
PWMs in the correct sequence based on back electromotive force (BEMF) voltage feedback from the motor.
BEMF can be measured using two comparators or calculated using a first-order differential equation (from
sampled motor phase voltage and current) to detect when the motor changes states in a six-step commutation
pattern. Additionally, a sensorless BLDC system requires a start-up method such as Initial Position Detection
(IPD) to determine the position of the motor at rest, an open loop start-up method to not lose motor sync, and
a robust hand off to closed-loop control once enough BEMF is detected. Since power tools can spin at high
speeds, simultaneously sampling ADC phase voltages and currents at high speeds to minimize latency in the
feedback loop is critical.
Furthermore, the MCU can control other components such as LEDs or communicate with other devices such
as the battery management device in the battery pack, wireless radios, or other sensors. With a maximum
CPU speed of 80-MHz, advanced timers, integrated analog peripherals, enhanced communication interfaces
and high-drive inputs and outputs (HDIOs), the MSPM0Gxx series meets these requirements and is an option for
these types of products.

Figure 3. MSPM0Gxxx Block Diagram for Sensorless BLDC Motor Control in Power Tools

Key feature requirements for MCU in these applications:

• Advanced timers with complimentary PWM outputs and deadband
• 12-bit 4-Msps ADC
• 12-bit DAC
• Two OPAs with programmable gain
• Two high-speed COMPs
• Communication interfaces (UART, I2C, SPI)
• GPIOs and HDIOs
Software functions performed on the MCU:
• Configure gate driver and diagnose motor faults using optional SPI
• IPD, align, or slow first cycle startup method
• Open loop to closed loop hand-off with dynamic torque load

SLAAEA3A – MARCH 2023 – REVISED SEPTEMBER 2023 Build Scalability in Cordless Power and Garden Tools Using Low-Cost MSPM0 5
Submit Document Feedback MCUs
Copyright © 2023 Texas Instruments Incorporated
 www.ti.com

• Control motor speed by generating PWMs based on trigger position, motor current and BEMF
• Change motor direction or adjust torque output based on switches or buttons
• Continuously measure battery voltage and handle any system faults
• Monitor the temperature of the MOSFETs
• Communicate periodically with the battery pack, wireless radio or other sensors
• Control status or illumination LEDs

Resources
Order a MSPM0 LaunchPad™ development kit today and a DRV83xxEVM today to start evaluating MSPM0 for
a cordless power or garden tool design. Jump-start a design with MSPM0 code examples and interactive online
trainings. The following links show resources that are also available:
• MSPM0-SDK
– Designs for MSPM0 motor control
• MSPM0 overview page
• MSPM0 LaunchPad development kits
– LP-MSPM0L1306 LaunchPad development kit
– LP-MSPM0G3507 LaunchPad development kit
• MSPM0 Academy
• DRV83xxEVM
– DRV8300DIPW-EVM, DRV8300DRGE-EVM
– DRV8316REVM
– BOOSTXL-DRV8323RH, BOOSTXL-DRV8323RS
– DRV8328AEVM, DRV8329AEVM
– DRV8350S-EVM, DRV8350H-EVM, DRV8353RS-EVM, DRV8353RH-EVM
• 18-V, 600-W brushless DC motor inverter reference design
• MSPM0 H-Bridge Control Application Note
• MSPM0 Trapezoidal Control Application Note
• TI Precision Labs - Motor Drivers: Brushless-DC Basics

6 Build Scalability in Cordless Power and Garden Tools Using Low-Cost MSPM0 SLAAEA3A – MARCH 2023 – REVISED SEPTEMBER 2023
MCUs Submit Document Feedback
Copyright © 2023 Texas Instruments Incorporated
 IMPORTANT NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER
TI PROVIDES TECHNICAL AND RELIABILITY DATA (INCLUDING DATA SHEETS), DESIGN RESOURCES (INCLUDING REFERENCE
DESIGNS), APPLICATION OR OTHER DESIGN ADVICE, WEB TOOLS, SAFETY INFORMATION, AND OTHER RESOURCES “AS IS”
AND WITH ALL FAULTS, AND DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS AND IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD
PARTY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.
These resources are intended for skilled developers designing with TI products. You are solely responsible for (1) selecting the appropriate
TI products for your application, (2) designing, validating and testing your application, and (3) ensuring your application meets applicable
standards, and any other safety, security, regulatory or other requirements.
These resources are subject to change without notice. TI grants you permission to use these resources only for development of an
application that uses the TI products described in the resource. Other reproduction and display of these resources is prohibited. No license
is granted to any other TI intellectual property right or to any third party intellectual property right. TI disclaims responsibility for, and you
will fully indemnify TI and its representatives against, any claims, damages, costs, losses, and liabilities arising out of your use of these
resources.
TI’s products are provided subject to TI’s Terms of Sale or other applicable terms available either on ti.com or provided in conjunction with
such TI products. TI’s provision of these resources does not expand or otherwise alter TI’s applicable warranties or warranty disclaimers for
TI products.
TI objects to and rejects any additional or different terms you may have proposed. IMPORTANT NOTICE

Mailing Address: Texas Instruments, Post Office Box 655303, Dallas, Texas 75265
Copyright © 2023, Texas Instruments Incorporated