L297 L297/1 Stepper Motor Controller Driver IC

L297 L297/1 Stepper Motor Controller Driver ICThe L297 Stepper Motor Controller is primarily in- tended for use with an L298N or L293E bridge driver in stepper motor driving applications. It receives control signals from the system’s control- ler, usually a microcomputer chip, and provides all the necessary drive signals for the power stage. Ad- ditionally, it includes two PWM chopper circuits to re- gulate the current in the motor windings. With a suitable power actuator the L297 drives two phase bipolar permanent magnet motors, four pha- se unipolar permanent magnet motors and four pha- se variable reluctance motors. Moreover, it handles normal, wave drive and half step drive modes.AdvantagesThe L297 + driver combination has many advantages : very few components are required (so assembly costs are low, reliability high and little space required), software development is simplified and the burden on the micro is reduced. Further, the choice of a two-chip approach gives a high degree of flexibility - the L298N can be used on its own for DC motors and the L297 can be used with any power stage, including discrete power devices (it provides 20mA drive for this purpose).