Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation has started engineering sample shipments of its new TB9M040FTG motor control device, expanding its SmartMCD series for automotive motor drive applications.
The new IC integrates a microcontroller and motor driver with built-in power MOSFETs, enabling direct control of three-phase brushless DC motors used in automotive systems. Toshiba said the device is designed for small motor applications such as electric valves, dampers, HVAC flaps, and grille shutters as vehicle electrification continues to accelerate.
Demand for compact and highly integrated motor control solutions is increasing across automotive systems as manufacturers seek to reduce component counts, shrink electronic control units (ECUs), and improve energy efficiency. Advanced motor control technologies such as field oriented control (FOC) and sensorless control are also becoming increasingly important for improving precision while lowering processor workloads.
According to Toshiba, the TB9M040FTG integrates an Arm® Cortex®-M23-based MCU, flash memory, a motor driver, LIN transceiver, high-side driver, and automotive-grade power supply functionality into a compact VQFN36 package measuring 6mm by 6mm.
The device also incorporates Toshiba’s proprietary Vector Engine (VE) hardware designed to reduce CPU load during FOC motor control operations. The company said this enables smaller software programs and improved processing efficiency in automotive motor systems.
In addition, the IC features back electromotive force (BEMF) detection capabilities, supporting sensorless square-wave motor control without requiring external sensors.
Toshiba said the integrated architecture allows automotive manufacturers to simplify system design while supporting more advanced motor control functions in compact vehicle electronics. The inclusion of LIN communication functionality also enables connectivity with vehicle ECUs for distributed motor control applications.
The launch reflects broader trends across the automotive industry, where electrification is increasing the number of small motors used throughout vehicles for airflow management, thermal systems, and automated mechanical controls.
Toshiba said it plans to continue expanding the SmartMCD product family with additional integrated motor control solutions tailored for automotive applications.
