[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO:6502) today announced that it has expanded its line-up of digital-control and sinusoidal-wave fan motor driver ICs with the launch of “TC78B002FNG”, which adopts an SSOP16 package. The new IC is the latest addition to the company’s “TC78B002” series and designed for use in home appliances, such as refrigerators, and PCs. Mass production shipments start on February 21.

The new product adopts an SSOP16 package while offering the same features as the “TC78B002FTG,” already in mass-production, allowing customers to apply low-cost solder flow assembly. This allows manufacturers to bring down production costs by using single-layer PCBs instead of high cost double-layer PCBs.

The “TC78B002” series incorporates an original digital control circuit that realizes sinusoidal control of the motor current, improving motor efficiency while reducing noise.