Melexis fan driver enables code-free, three-phase fan design

The Melexis MLX80339 fan driver is designed to produce efficient, low-noise motor control. Featuring pre-validated logic configurable via an intuitive interface, the code-free MLX80339 enables rapid deployment of BLDC motor control without the overhead of software development.

Entry-level solutions for sensorless motor systems in the consumer, industrial and automotive markets based on single-coil drivers remain popular due to their low cost, but they can compromise efficiency and noise performance, said Melexis. Three-phase solutions deliver superior results yet have traditionally required complex integration and longer development cycles, it added.

As part of Melexis’ growing family of code-free IC solutions, the MLX80339 embeds configurable motor control logic directly on-chip, allowing engineers to configure and design their application without specialised expertise.

The code-free configuration and supporting Start-to-Run tool drastically shorten motor driver prototyping, allowing designs to be operational in less than 15 minutes when used with the evaluation kit and Melexis Compact Master. This ecosystem generates the required configuration parameters for robust motor startup and operation, replacing significant engineering tasks with simple user inputs. As the motor behaviour logic is pre-characterised and validated by Melexis, engineers need carry out only final application-specific system validation, further expediting time to market, claimed the company.

Designed for sensorless and quiet operation, the MLX80339 supports control up to 20W at 12V and 40W at 24V, with a configurable current limit up to 3A and integrated under- and overvoltage, overcurrent, and over-temperature protection. The compact SO8-EP package is optimised for small fan applications such as cooling fans, ceiling fans and automotive seat ventilation, while also covering small motors, actuators, pumps and related systems. It has a wide supply voltage range of 6V to 26V and an operating temperature range of −40°C to 125°C, with junction temperatures up to 150°C.

The MLX80339 supports legacy PWM-based fan control for straightforward drop-in replacement, while also offering digital interfaces such as UART and I²C for customers who require additional diagnostics or multi-fan co-ordination. This allows designers to adopt more advanced control concepts where needed without sacrificing simplicity for mainstream designs.

“With the MLX80339, we are making three-phase fan control accessible far beyond traditional expert users,” said Marc Lambrechts, product line director at Melexis. “The combination of pre-validated motor control logic, fast code-free setup, and high-quality performance enables engineers to move quickly while delivering cost-effective, quieter, and more efficient end products. This is a key step in expanding more sophisticated motor control to much broader markets.”

By comprehensively removing system complexity, the MLX80339 also enables access through new distribution channels and supports lower-volume projects that were previously impractical with three-phase embedded motor drivers.

The MLX80339 for small fan control is now available for sampling and volume production in the standard SO8-EP package.

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