TMC5160 vs. TMC2209: How to Differentiate?

TMC5160 Pinout vs. TMC2209 Pinout

The TMC2209 is an ultra-silent motor driver IC for two-phase stepper motors. TMC2209 pinning is compatible with a number of legacy drivers as well as with the TMC2208.

The TMC5160 is a high-power stepper motor controller and driver IC with serial communication interfaces. It 

combines a flexible ramp generator for automatic target positioning with the industry's most advanced stepper motor 

driver. Using external transistors, highly dynamic, high torque drives can be realized.

They are based on TRINAMICs sophisticated SpreadCycle and StealthChop choppers, the drivers ensure absolutely noiseless operation combined with maximum efficiency and best motor torque. 

TMC5160 Feature &Benifit

2-phase stepper motors from 1 to several 10A coil current

Motion Controller with SixPoint™ ramp

Step/Dir Interface with micro-step interpolation MicroPlyer™

Voltage Range 8 … 60V DC 

SPI & Single Wire UART

Encoder Interface and 2x Ref.-Switch Input

The highest Resolution is 256 micro-steps per full step

StealthChop2™ for quiet operation and smooth motion 

Resonance Dampening for mid-range resonances

SpreadCycle™ highly dynamic motor control chopper

DcStep™ load-dependent speed control

StallGuard2™ high precision sensorless motor load detection

CoolStep™'s current control for energy savings of up to 75%

Passive Braking and freewheeling mode

Full Protection & Diagnostics

Compact Size 7x7mm2 (body) TQFP48 package / 8x8mm² QFN

TMC2209 Feature &Benifit

• 2-phase stepper motors up to 2.8A coil current (peak), 2A RMS

• STEP/DIR Interface with 8, 16, 32 or 64 micro steps pin setting

• Smooth Running 256 micro steps by MicroPlyer™ interpolation

• StealthChop2™ silent motor operation

• SpreadCycle™ highly dynamic motor control chopper

• StallGuard4™ load and stall detection for StealthChop

• CoolStep™'s current control for energy savings of up to 75%

• Low RDSon, Low Heat-Up LS 170mΩ & HS 170mΩ (Typ. at 25°C)

• Voltage Range 4.75… 29V DC

• Low Power Standby to fit standby energy regulations

• Internal Sense Resistor option (no sense resistors required)

• Passive Braking, Freewheeling, and automatic power down

• Single Wire UART & OTP for advanced configuration options

• Integrated Pulse Generator for standalone motion

• Full Protection & Diagnostics

• Compact QFN package with a large heat slug

TMC5160 Block Diagram

The TMC5160 scores with complete motion controlling features, powerful external MOSFET driver stages,  and high-quality current regulation. It offers a versatility that covers a wide spectrum of applications from battery powered high efficiency systems up to embedded applications with 10A or more motor current per coil. The TMC5160 contains the complete intelligence which is required to drive a motor. Receiving target positions, the TMC5160 manages motor movement. Based on TRINAMICs unique features StallGuard2, CoolStep, DcStep, SpreadCycle, and StealthChop, it optimizes drive performance. 

TMC2209 Block Diagram

The TMC2209 covers a wide spectrum of applications from battery systems to embedded applications with up to 2A motor current per coil. TRINAMICs unique chopper modes SpreadCycle and StealthChop2 optimize drive performance. StealthChop reduces motor noise to the point of silence at low velocities. Standby current reduction keeps costs for power dissipation and cooling down. Extensive support enables rapid design cycles and fast time-to-market with competitive products.

TMC5160 Application

• Robotics & Industrial Drives

• Textile, Sewing Machines

• Packing Machines

• Factory & Lab Automation

• High-speed 3D Printers

• Liquid Handling

• Medical

• Office Automation

• CCTV

• ATM, Cash Recycler

• Pumps and Valves

TMC2209 Application

• Compatible Design Upgrade 

• 3D Printers 

• Printers, POS Office and home automation 

• Textile, Sewing Machines

• CCTV, Security 

• ATM, Cash recycler 

• HVAC 

• Battery Operated Equipment

TMC5160 Application Circuit

The TMC5160 motion controller and driver chip is an intelligent power component interfacing between the CPU and a high-power stepper motor. All stepper motor logic is completely within the TMC5160. No software is required to control the motor – just provide target positions. The TMC5160 offers several unique enhancements which are enabled by the system-on-chip integration of driver and controller. 

The six-point ramp generator of the TMC5160 uses StealthChop, DcStep, CoolStep, and StallGuard2  automatically to optimize every motor movement. The TMC5160 ideally extends the TMC2100, TMC2130  and TMC5130 family to higher voltages and higher motor currents. 

TMC2209 Application Circuit

The TMC2209 requires just a few control pins on its tiny package. It allows the selection of the most important setting: the desired micro step resolution. A choice of 8, 16, 32 or 64 micro-steps, or from full-step up to 1/256 step adapts the driver to the capabilities of the motion controller.

They implement advanced features which are exclusive to TRINAMIC products. These features contribute to greater precision, greater energy efficiency, higher reliability, smoother motion, and cooler operation in many stepper motor applications.

The TMC22xx and TMC516x drivers have a superior stealth chip mode (stealthChop2) that performs better at greater accelerations.

When the TMC2209 driver is connected to the mainboard via UART, it has a few more features that can be utilized for motor current settings via software or sensorless homing.

When the TMC5160 driver is connected to the mainboard through SPI, it has a few more functionalities that can be utilized for motor current adjustment via software or sensorless homing.

If the power-up/down sequences for SilentStepSticks with variable logic voltage (3-5V) cannot be guaranteed, the SilentStepStick Protector is strongly recommended.