I have always been eager to explore motors, robotics, drones, and similar technologies. For me, building these systems is one of the most enjoyable ways to learn physics and engineering concepts. Through this journey, I’ve come to understand the critical role of motor controllers and MOSFET drivers in these applications. These components are not only essential in robotics and drones but also play a vital role in other areas, such as power supply design. Motor controllers or MOSFET driver ICs—like the TC4427 and TC4428—are used to drive H-bridge circuits, which control the motors. These drivers typically receive PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signals from microcontrollers such as the ATmega328P or Arduino, or from PWM-specific ASICs or microprocessors.
After doing some research, I realized that I’ve already used several types of motor controllers and MOSFET drivers in my electronics journey. In particular, I’ve worked extensively with the L293D and L298N modules while learning Arduino-based motor control, and I’ve written detailed notes on my experiments with them.
I wanted to review the notes I’ve taken so far on these motor driver modules. For the L293D, I’ve used it in multiple projects:
Similarly I wrote about L28N motor controller in my following notes:
Here’s a comparison of the L293D and L298N motor driver ICs, highlighting their similarities and differences in a structured format:
🔁 Similarities between L293D and L298N
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| H-Bridge Configuration | Both use dual H-bridge circuits to control the direction of current through DC motors or stepper motors. |
| Bidirectional Motor Control | Both allow you to control the speed and direction of two DC motors independently or one stepper motor. |
| TTL Logic Compatible Inputs | Both accept standard 5V logic inputs, making them compatible with Arduino, ESP, AVR, and most microcontrollers. |
| PWM Control | Both support PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signals for motor speed control. |
| Protection Diodes | Both offer some form of internal protection against back EMF, though L293D includes internal diodes and L298N usually requires external ones. |
| Common Usage | Widely used in DIY robotics, RC cars, and Arduino motor control projects. |
🔄 Differences between L293D and L298N
| Feature | L293D | L298N |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Bipolar transistor (BJT) | Bipolar transistor (BJT) |
| Current Rating | Up to 600 mA per channel | Up to 2 A per channel (with heatsink) |
| Voltage Range | 4.5V to 36V | 5V to 46V |
| Package | 16-pin DIP or SOIC | Multiwatt15 or PowerSO20 (larger, with heatsink tab) |
| Internal Diodes | Yes (built-in flyback diodes) | No (requires external diodes) |
| Heat Dissipation | Less efficient, but okay for small loads | Better suited for higher current; often includes a heatsink |
| Size | Smaller, suitable for compact projects | Larger due to higher current handling and built-in voltage regulator |
| Cost | Generally cheaper | Slightly more expensive |
| Additional Features | Basic motor control | May include onboard 5V regulator (on module), useful for powering Arduino |
