The project I’m working on is developing a motor driver for a Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motor. The goal is to design and build a functioning motor driver for the BLDC motor, which offers distinct advantages over traditional brushed DC motors.

Unlike brushed DC motors that rely on physical commutation, BLDC motors use software to control perfectly timed changes in magnetic fields, a process known as commutation. This type of software control not only improves motor efficiency but also increases its lifespan, as the only wear-and-tear components are the bearings.

In this project, several design options were considered, and the final design centers around a Raspberry Pi 3B+ acting as the main controller. The Raspberry Pi handles the user interface and communicates with an STM32 microcontroller, which manages motor control, sensor inputs, and cooling fan operations. The STM32 also controls a buzzer, which can be programmed to signal various events, such as receiving data, but can be customized for other indications.

A display, connected to the Raspberry Pi via a DSI connector, provides a user interface for input and shows real-time data collected from the STM32, using the I²C protocol for communication. An alternative option for user input is a physical controller, such as a potentiometer or rotary encoder, which becomes mandatory if a non-touch display is used.

The STM32 interacts with several components through different interfaces. For example, the current sensor utilizes the STM32’s internal ADC, the temperature sensor connects via I²C, and the fan and gate drivers are controlled with PWM signals. Additionally, the buzzer and Hall sensors use GPIO pins. The gate drivers, managed by the STM32, drive the motor through half bridges to ensure smooth and efficient operation.

Images and videos of the project are in progress and will help illustrate the full functionality of the system.

This project was chosen because of the growing importance of BLDC motors in modern applications due to their efficiency, longevity, and versatility. By designing and building a custom motor driver, we aim to better understand the complexities involved in motor control systems and embedded software.