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Melexis (melexis.com) introduces the MLX81339, a new embedded motor driver with PWM/Serial interface. This integrated circuit (IC) is designed for compact 3-phase BLDC and stepper motor control up to 40 W in industrial applications such as fans, pumps, and positioning systems. Its programmable flash memory enables full application customization.
Across the industrial sectors, there is growing demand for smarter, more efficient motors that enable quiet, reliable operation in compact designs. Applications such as server cooling, domestic appliances, HVAC flaps, and automated valve control are increasingly constrained by size, development time, and budget. In this landscape, conventional motor driver solutions can present barriers to entry, especially where software complexity or hardware footprint becomes a limiting factor.
For applications requiring flexibility in configuration, the MLX81339 offers Flash programmability while maintaining a small footprint. Designed for 3-phase BLDC or bipolar stepper motor deployments, these advanced drivers use silent, efficient field-oriented control (FOC) and ensure reliable startup, stopping, and precise speed control from low to maximum speed.
To support the motor configuration, Melexis StartToRun webtool drastically expedites motor driver prototyping, removing significant engineering tasks by generating configuration files based on simple user inputs. As well as motor and electrical parameters, the tool includes prefilled mechanical values, helping engineers accelerate time to market while reducing dependency on software expertise.
The device supports control up to 20W at 12V and 40W at 24V, integrating a 3-phase driver with a configurable current limit up to 3A, and under/overvoltage, overcurrent, and over-temperature protection to ensure reliable operation. The compact QFN24 and SO8-EP packages enable tight PCB layouts, supporting the trend toward smaller, more integrated systems, while the wide supply voltage range of 6V to 26V and operating temperature of -40 °C to 125 °C (junction temperature up to 150 °C) further ease system integration concerns.
Offering broad output compatibility, the devices include 8x general-purpose IOs and feature PWM, FG, I²C, UART, and SPI interfaces for easy integration into both legacy and smart systems. With support for both sensor-based and sensorless control, the Integrated Circuit (IC) ensures quiet, robust motor operation, running reliably through load transients and fault recovery avoiding the unexpected resets common in less sophisticated drivers. Applications encompass smart industrial and consumer sectors, including positioning motors, thermal valves, robotic actuators, residential and industrial ventilation systems, and dishwashing pumps. Automotive fans and blowers are also supported thanks to the MLX81339’s automotive qualification.
“With the MLX81339, we’re enabling smarter motor control in applications that demand space-efficiency, ease of use, and robust performance,” said Marc Lambrechts, Product Line Director at Melexis. “These devices deliver the performance demanded by modern applications, while removing development overhead and costs. By enabling sensorless FOC control in a compact format, with a highly configurable version available and a plug-and-play code-free variant to come, we’re helping engineers bring smart motor applications to life faster and more efficiently.”
The MLX81339 is available now. Its code-free successor and configurable MLX80339 for rapid deployment, will be released in Q1-2026.
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