- New
Product description: MPQ6612A - single-channel motor controller 40 V / 4 A - Pololu 5285
The Pololu MPQ6612A is a module designed to control a single brushed DC motor . An integrated H-bridge allows you to change the motor's rotational direction, brake the motor, and regulate its speed using a PWM signal with a frequency of up to 200 kHz . The motor's supply voltage range is 4 V to 40 V , and the board can deliver up to approximately 4 A of continuous current , depending on cooling conditions and operating parameters. The controller works with logic from 1.5 V to 5.5 V and features a VISEN current measurement output, configurable current limiting, and a FAULT diagnostic output. Additional LEDs indicate the output status and motor control direction . The board is also equipped with reverse supply voltage protection.
MPQ6612A - single-channel motor controller 40V/4A - Pololu 5285.
Single-channel DC motor controller.
Main features of the MPQ6612A DC motor controller
- Single DC motor control : integrated H-bridge enables bidirectional operation of a brushed DC motor
- Supply voltage from 4 V to 40 V : a wide range allows the controller to be used in small robots and more demanding drive systems
- Continuous current up to 4 A : the value that can be obtained depends on the voltage, PWM frequency, ambient temperature and cooling conditions
- Default current limit 7.5A : built-in current regulation limits excessive motor current increase
- 200 mV/A current measurement : VISEN output allows monitoring of the motor load by a microcontroller or ADC
- PWM speed control : IN1 and IN2 inputs support PWM signals and the maximum frequency is 200 kHz
- Logic from 1.5V to 5.5V : the module can work with many popular microcontrollers and embedded systems
- Sleep mode : The SLEEP input allows you to turn off the power level and reduce energy consumption.
- FAULT diagnostic output : informs about activation of the controller protections
- Protection : the system is protected against overload and overheating, and the board is also protected against reverse power supply polarity
- Motor indicator LEDs : allow you to check the output status and control direction even without the motor connected
- Flexible connection options : holes for high-power tracks have a 3.5 mm and 2.54 mm pitch
- Version without connectors : you can choose the connection method to suit your project
Pololu MPQ6612A engine controller pinout
The module provides separate pins for power, control, measurement, and diagnostics. For basic engine start-up, VIN, GND, OUT1, and OUT2 connections, as well as IN1 signals, are required. IN2 and the corresponding SLEEP input state. Control inputs IN1 and IN2 allow for direction change, freewheeling, braking, and speed control via PWM.
- VIN : motor and module power input in the range of 4 V to 40 V
- GND : common ground of the motor power supply and the logic part
- OUT1 : first H-bridge output to the motor
- OUT2 : second H-bridge output to the motor
- VM : Access to the motor supply voltage after the reverse polarity protection MOSFET
- VCC : output of the internal LDO regulator; for VIN above 5.2V it provides 5V and for lower VIN the voltage is about VIN - 0.2V
- IN1 : control input with 200 kΩ pull-down resistor, supports PWM
- IN2 : control input with 200 kΩ pull-down resistor, supports PWM
- SLEEP : Sleep mode input with 500 kΩ pull-down resistor; high state is required for controller operation
- VISEN : analog current measurement output, default 200 mV/A
- FAULT : open drain output signaling protection activation
- OC_ADJ : Overcurrent protection threshold configuration input
- ISET : input for configuring the measurement and active current limiting, factory connected to ground via a 2 kΩ resistor
Pinout diagram.
Connecting a single-channel Pololu motor controller.
Current measurement and limitation in the MPQ6612A controller
The MPQ6612A controller enables motor current measurement and active current limiting using constant-off-time PWM control. A factory-installed 2 kΩ resistor connected to the ISET input sets the VISEN output sensitivity to 200 mV/A and the current limiting threshold to 7.5 A. This allows the microcontroller to monitor the actual drive load, while the controller itself can limit the current before it reaches undesirable values for the application. Parameters can be changed by modifying the resistance between ISET and ground. Adding an additional resistor in parallel with the factory-installed 2 kΩ resistor reduces the equivalent resistance, which increases the current limiting threshold and simultaneously reduces VISEN sensitivity. Connecting ISET directly to GND disables both current limiting and current measurement, while achieving a lower limit and greater sensitivity requires a higher resistance than the factory-installed one.
Heat dissipation and actual load capacity of the MPQ6612A
The maximum usable driver current depends not only on the IC's specifications but also on temperature, cooling, supply voltage, and PWM control method . The MPQ6612A itself is rated for continuous current up to 5A , but achieving this typically requires additional airflow or a heatsink . The Pololu board is designed to aid in heat dissipation, but the manufacturer specifies approximately 4A as a typical continuous current that can be maintained for many minutes without forced cooling at room temperature. At a 5A load, the thermal protection may trigger after approximately 30 seconds to several minutes. However, with the factory limit of 7.5 A, thermal shutdown can occur after just a few seconds. This means that the 7.5 A limit should not be considered the board's allowable continuous current. When operating under heavy load, the module can reach temperatures that can cause burns, so ensure adequate cooling and avoid touching the power components during operation.
The H-bridge and PWM control allow for smooth speed regulation and rotation direction change, so the module can be used in mobile robotics, automation and actuators.
The Pololu MPQ6612A is suitable for projects requiring precise control of a single brushed DC motor with relatively high current consumption.
Technical specifications of the Pololu 5285 controller
- Driver chip: MPQ6612A
- Driver type: H-bridge for brushed DC motor
- Number of channels: 1
- Motor supply voltage: 4 V to 40 V
- Continuous current: up to approximately 4 A
- Factory current limit: 7.5 A
- Current measurement sensitivity: 200 mV/A
- Maximum PWM frequency: 200 kHz
- Logic voltage: 1.5V to 5.5V
- Maximum absolute voltage of logical inputs: 6.5 V
- ISET resistor: 2 kΩ
- Protection: overcurrent, thermal, reverse polarity
- Diagnostic output: Open drain FAULT
- Current measurement output: VISEN
- Engine operation indicator LEDs: yes
- Control hole pitch: 2.54 mm
- Raster of larger power track holes: 3.5 mm
- Mounting hole: approximately 2.18mm, designed for M2 or #2 screw
- Dimensions: approximately 20.3 x 22.9 x 7.6 mm
- Weight: 2.1 g
Kit contents
- 1x MPQ6612A - single-channel motor controller 40V/4A - Pololu 5285
Goldpin connectors and terminal blocks are not included in the kit.
