The TB6612FNG Motor Driver can control up to two DC motors at a constant current of 1.2A (3.2A peak). Two input signals (IN1 and IN2) can be used to control the motor in one of four function modes: CW, CCW, short-brake, and stop. The two motor outputs (A and B) can be separately controlled, and the speed of each motor is controlled via a PWM input signal with a frequency up to 100kHz. The STBY pin should be pulled high to take the motor out of standby mode. Due to popular demand, this version of the SparkFun Motor Driver includes pre-soldered male headers for ease of use. With the headers already soldered on, you can jump right in to using this little board without any assembly!
Logic supply voltage (VCC) can be in the range of 2.7--5.5VDC, while the motor supply (VM) is limited to a maximum voltage of 15VDC. The output current is rated up to 1.2A per channel (or up to 3.2A for a short, single pulse).
The board comes with all components installed as shown. Decoupling capacitors are included on both supply lines. All pins of the TB6612FNG are broken out to two 0.1" pitch headers; the pins are arranged such that input pins are on one side and output pins are on the other.
Note: If you are looking for the SparkFun Motor Driver without headers, it can be found here or in the Recommended Products below.
This skill concerns mechanical and robotics knowledge. You may need to know how mechanical parts interact, how motors work, or how to use motor drivers and controllers.
Skill Level: Rookie - You will be required to know some basics about motors, basic motor drivers and how simple robotic motion can be accomplished.
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If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.
Skill Level: Rookie - You will need a better fundamental understand of what code is, and how it works. You will be using beginner-level software and development tools like Arduino. You will be dealing directly with code, but numerous examples and libraries are available. Sensors or shields will communicate with serial or TTL.
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If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.
Skill Level: Rookie - You may be required to know a bit more about the component, such as orientation, or how to hook it up, in addition to power requirements. You will need to understand polarized components.
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Someone should mention (Me maybe?) that this is also a great way to drive a stepper. In particular it is very well matched to the Small Stepper Motor ROB-10551. While that motor description would have you believe that it is a 12 volt motor, its 4 ohm coils can be driven to full current (thus full torque) by as little as 1.6 volts. What you give up at low voltage is high speed. Its 3.5 Henry inductance results in a time constant of around 800 msec. If you don't need full torque, the motor will work at less than 400 ma. which can reduce the buildup time. I have one on my desk right now nicely driving a clock hand at less than 100 ma. peak. For applications like driving clocks or solar trackers which require slow single stepping, this combination lets you build nice 3 volt systems. That's where the low Vcc of this part makes it perfect. Other than that, it has all the features you need in a small package. The PWM feature helps provide energy efficient current limiting if you are running on a 3 V battery.
One minor point: it would be nice to put the pinout labels on the top side of the PWB.