Stepper motor driver IC provides multiple monitoring and protection functions

November 13, 2025

Issue 8 2025

The MP6602 from Monolithic Power Systems provides a small and integrated solution for bipolar or unipolar microstepping motors which draw up to 4 A per phase.

The Monolithic Power Systems MP6602 is a highly integrated solution for stepper motor driving which is supplied in a 4 mm x 5 mm 25-lead QFN package.

 

Featuring two internal full-bridge drivers, a built-in indexer/translator, and internal current regulation, the MP6602 requires no external current-sense resistors. Operating over a 4.5 V to 35 V input-voltage range, the MP6602 can supply an output current to the motor of up to 4 A per phase, depending on the ambient temperature and board layout. The MP6602 can operate a stepper motor in full, half-, quarter-, eighth-, 1/16-, or 1/32-step modes.

 

An automatic hold-current mode can lower the winding current to automatically save power when full current is not required, such as when the motor is stopped or lightly loaded.

 

Diagnostic capabilities enabled by the MP6602 include:

  • Rotor stall detection
  • Back EMF measurement
  • Thermal warning and shutdown
  • Fault indication output

A serial control interface enables the developer to set control functions such as the step mode, direction, and output current. The serial interface can also read diagnostic registers.

Features

  • 3.3 V- and 5 V-compatible logic inputs
  • Automatic current decay
  • Protection functions:
    • Over-current protection
    • Open-load detection
    • Over-voltage protection
    • Under-voltage protection

Applications

  • 3D printers
  • Laser printers and copiers
  • Textile manufacturing equipment
Monolithic Power Systems — MP6602 Stepper Motor Driver IC

Evaluation Board

Part Number: EVKT-MOTOR-00A 

The EVKT-MOTOR-00A from Monolithic Power Systems provides a communication link between a USB interface and a serial peripheral or I2C interface. It enables developers to connect a PC to motor drivers, such as the MP6602 stepper motor driver, that use a serial interface, as well as to an MPS motor driver programming tool.

 

The EVKT-MOTOR-00A kit includes one USB communication device interface, one USB cable, and one 10-pin ribbon cable.

 

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