Tic T249 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller

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Pololu item #: 3139
Brand: Pololu
Status: Active and Preferred 
RoHS 3 compliant


The Tic T249 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller makes basic control of a stepper motor easy, with quick configuration over USB using our free software. The controller supports six control interfaces: USB, TTL serial, I²C, analog voltage (potentiometer), quadrature encoder, and hobby radio control (RC). This version incorporates a Toshiba TB67S249FTG driver with innovative and unique features that include Automatic Gain Control, and male headers and terminal blocks are included but not soldered. It can operate from 10 V to 47 V and can deliver up to approximately 1.8 A per phase without a heat sink or forced air flow (or 4.5 A max with sufficient additional cooling).

Alternatives available with variations in these parameter(s): model connectors soldered? Select variant…

Compare all products in Tic Stepper Motor Controllers.

Pictures

Tic T249 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (without connectors soldered) with included headers and terminal blocks.

Tic T249 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (Connectors Soldered).

Tic T249 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller, bottom view with dimensions.

Tic T249 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (top view).

Tic T249 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (bottom view).

Basic pinout diagram of the Tic T249 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller.

Connecting a bipolar stepper motor to the Tic T249.

Tic T500, T834, T825, and T249 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controllers.

The Status tab of the Pololu Tic Control Center.

The Input and Motor Settings tab of the Pololu Tic Control Center.




Overview

The Tic family of stepper motor controllers makes it easy to add basic control of a bipolar stepper motor to a variety of projects. These versatile, general-purpose modules support six different control interfaces: USB for direct connection to a computer, TTL serial and I²C for use with a microcontroller, RC hobby servo pulses for use in an RC system, analog voltages for use with a potentiometer or analog joystick, and quadrature encoder for use with a rotary encoder dial. They also offer many settings that can be configured using our free configuration utility (for Windows, Linux, and macOS). This software simplifies initial setup of the device and allows for in-system testing and monitoring of the controller via USB (a micro-B USB cable is required to connect the Tic to a computer).

The table below lists the members of the Tic family and shows the key differences among them.


Tic T500
Tic T834
Tic T825
Tic T249
Tic 36v4
Operating voltage range: 4.5 V to 35 V(1) 2.5 V to 10.8 V 8.5 V to 45 V(1) 10 V to 47 V(1) 8 V to 50 V(1)
Max continuous current per phase
(no additional cooling):		 1.5 A 1.5 A 1.5 A 1.8 A 4 A
Peak current per phase
(additional cooling required):		 2.5 A 2 A 2.5 A 4.5 A 6 A
Microstep resolutions: full
half
1/4
1/8		 full
half
1/4
1/8
1/16
1/32		 full
half
1/4
1/8
1/16
1/32		 full
half
1/4
1/8
1/16
1/32		 full
half
1/4
1/8
1/16
1/32
1/64
1/128
1/256
Automatic decay selection: Yes Yes Yes
Automatic gain control (AGC): Yes
Driver IC: MP6500 DRV8834 DRV8825 TB67S249FTG discrete MOSFETs
Price (connectors not soldered): $29.95 $39.95 $39.95 $49.95 $59.95
Price (connectors soldered): $31.95 $41.95 $41.95 $51.95 $61.95

1 See product pages and user’s guide for operating voltage limitations.

Tic T500 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller, bottom view with dimensions.

Tic T834 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller, bottom view with dimensions.

Tic T825 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller, bottom view with dimensions.

Tic T249 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller, bottom view with dimensions.

Tic 36v4 USB Multi-Interface High-Power Stepper Motor Controller, bottom view with dimensions.

Features and specifications

Details for item #3139

The Tic T249 is based on the TB67S249FTG IC from Toshiba, which allows the Tic T249 to offer several unique and innovative features. One of these is Toshiba’s Active Gain Control (AGC), which automatically reduces the stepper motor current below the set limit based on the actual load on the motor, allowing for reduced unnecessary heat generation and higher peak power when the motor actually needs it. Another is Toshiba’s Advanced Dynamic Mixed Decay (ADMD) technology, which dynamically switches between slow and fast decay modes based on the actual motor current, providing higher efficiency and smoother steps at high speed than you get with traditional timing-based mixed decay.

The Tic T249 can operate from 10 V to 47 V and can deliver up to approximately 1.8 A continuous per phase without a heat sink or forced air flow (the peak current per phase is 4.5 A). This version is sold unassembled so soldering is necessary to use it.

Tic T249 USB Multi-Interface Stepper Motor Controller (without connectors soldered) with included headers and terminal blocks.

A version is also available that requires no soldering to use as the terminal blocks and main header pins are already installed.

Dimensions

Size: 1.50″ × 1.05″ × 0.42″1
Weight: 5.8 g1

General specifications

Model: Tic T249
Motor driver: TB67S249FTG
Control interface: USB; non-inverted TTL serial; I²C;
RC servo pulses; analog voltage; quadrature encoder
Minimum operating voltage: 10 V
Maximum operating voltage: 47 V2
Continuous current per phase: 1.8 A3
Maximum current per phase: 4.5 A4
Maximum step rate: 50000 PPS
Microstep resolutions: full, non-circular 1/2, circular 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, and 1/32
Reverse voltage protection?: Y5
Connectors soldered?: N

Identifying markings

PCB dev codes: tic05a
Other PCB markings: 0J11911

Notes:

1
Without included optional hardware.
2
Reverse voltage protection only works up to 40 V.
3
Without a heat sink or forced air flow.
4
With sufficient additional cooling.
5
To -40 V. Connecting supplies over 40 V in reverse can damage the device.

Documentation and other information

File downloads

Recommended links

Frequently-asked questions

I want to control a 3.9 V, 600 mA bipolar stepper motor. Can I use a Tic stepper motor controller that has a minimum operating voltage above 3.9 V without damaging the stepper motor?

Yes. To avoid damaging your stepper motor, you want to avoid exceeding the rated current, which is 600 mA in this instance. All of our Tic stepper motor controllers have configurable current limiting, so you can set a limit that is appropriate for your stepper motor. As long as you set the limit below the rated current, you will be within spec for your motor, even if the voltage exceeds the rated voltage. The voltage rating is just the voltage at which each coil draws the rated current, so the coils of your stepper motor will draw 600 mA at 3.9 V. By using a higher voltage along with active current limiting, the current is able to ramp up faster, which lets you achieve higher step rates than you could using the rated voltage.

If you do want to use a lower motor supply voltage for other reasons, consider using the Tic T834, which operates from 2.5 V to 10.8 V, or the Tic T500, which operates from 4.5 V to 35 V.

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