SQUIGGLE RV Micro Motor Technology

Inside the M3 Module

SQUIGGLE RV reduced voltage piezo motor needs just 3.3VDC to move precision microstages, focus modules and more

 

Here’s a look at the technology inside our M3 Smart Modules and custom integrated motion solutions. Patented piezoelectric SQUIGGLE motors and NSD2101 motor drivers power our M3 smart stages: linear micro stages and rotary micro stages. NOTE: SQUIGGLE motors are an enabling technology, available only within an M3 Module or custom solution.

The SQL-RV-1.8 SQUIGGLE® RV Reduced Voltage micro motor and NSD2101 drive IC are core technologies in our M3 micro mechatronic module design platform and many of our full-custom motion solutions. They allow us to create embedded motion for use in places where it could not have been imagined before.

This tiny piezoelectric motor offers greater power efficiency, higher reliability, and ten times better precision than electromagnetic motors.

The SQUIGGLE RV reduced voltage piezo motor is a patented ultrasonic motor with state-of-the-art multi-layer piezo technology. It delivers direct linear movement with no gears or cams, and has a self-locking design that uses power only when moving. The robust construction withstands high shock loads and offers silent, ultrasonic operation over a wide operating temperature range.

The NSD2101 piezo motor driver converts 2.3 to 5.5 VDC battery input directly to high frequency AC power to control the SQL-RV SQUIGGLE motor. Designed to drive the SQUIGGLE RV multi-layer motor, the NSD2101 provides advanced patented features such as frequency tracking and hybrid speed control to optimize motor performance while minimizing power consumption over a broad range of operating and environmental conditions. The NSD2101 accepts commands from your system processor over a digital I2C serial interface.

Features

  • Tiny (2.8 x 2.8 x 6 mm) high-performance motor – the world’s smallest piezo motor
  • Tiny (1.8 x 1.8) mm driver IC – the industry’s smallest piezo motor driver
  • Direct battery input as low as 2.3 VDC to the drive IC, with no external voltage boost circuitry required
  • 40% lower power consumption than comparable electromagnetic solutions

Performance

The SQL-RV-1.8 and NSD2101 drive IC provide a broad range of performance over a range of input voltages. Refer to the technical bulletin for motor force and speed as a function of input voltage to the NSD2101 driver IC, as well as the power required at various voltages to achieve a range of linear motor speeds.

SQL-RV-1.8 motor and controller performance
Travel Range 6 mm (others available)
Housing Dimensions 2.8 x 2.8 x 6 mm
Motor Body Dimensions 1.8 x 1.8 x 6 mm
Resolution 0.5 micrometer
Stall Force (at 3.3V input) 30 gram force (0.3 N)
Speed (at 15 gram force load) > 7 mm/s
Input Power (stopped) OFF POWER HOLD (0 mW)
Input Power to motor driver (moving) * < 340 mW (NSD-2101 direct drive)
Input Power to controller components (idle) < 1mW MC-33DB-RV (daughter board)
~ 330 mW MC-33MB (mother board)
Lifetime (load-dependent)** > 1 million cycles
Operating Temperature -30 to +80°C
Storage Temperature -40 to +85°C
Shock Resistance (motor only – zero mass load) 2500 Gs
Cable/Connector Flex circuit
Motor Controller (see below) NSD2101
Operating Frequency ~ 171 KHz
Weight  0.16 grams
NSD2101 Specifications
Input Voltage 2.3 to 5.5 V DC
Power*** ~100 to ~600 mW per motor, depending on voltage and speed, at 15 gram load
Control Signals I2C serial interface
Control Software n/a
Output Signals Set of four high-frequency half-bridge control signals  (+P1-1, -P1-2, +P2-1, -P2-2).
Position Sensor Input n/a
Commands n/a
Dimensions (l x w x h) 1.8 x 1.8 x 0.6 mm BGA pkg (4 x 4 x 0.9 mm 16-pin QFN also available)

*Power (moving) depends on input voltage, speed and load. Data is for 15 gram load, 2.8 VDC and 7 mm/sec. Consult the data sheets for typical power curves.

** Lifetime test at continuous operation, speed <10mm/s, room temperature, ~15 gram force load.

*** Power depends on input voltage, speed and load. Consult the technical bulletin for typical power curves.

Download the SQL-RV SQUIGGLE motor technical bulletin  (PDF) 

Download NSD-2101 piezo motor driver data sheet (ams data sheet – PDF)

SQL-1.8-RV Series SQUIGGLE motor with NSD2101 piezo driver. The 2.8 x 2.8 x 6 mm motor and 1.8 x 1.8 mm IC are powered by direct battery input as low as 2.3 VDC with no need for a boost circuit.

 

 

M3 smart modules, microstages and focus modules

SQUIGGLE motors have excellent position resolution: you can signal the motor to move very small distances, measured in microns or milliradians. However, the motor speed will vary with applied load and device friction. Closed-loop control is recommended for applications requiring exact position, repeatable position, or precise speed.

Our M3 (micro-mechatronic) smart modules deliver this closed-loop control in “all-in-one” microstages, focus modules and other motion systems. We combine our SQUIGGLE motors with precision miniature position sensors to create “ingeniously small” closed-loop actuators and micro stages of 12 x 30 mm or smaller. All drive electronics are in the module – you just provide 3.3V and simple, high-level motion commands over a standard serial interface.