4 layers15.2 × 20.3 mm
StepStick DC Driver
ARCLille/StepStick-DC-Driver
A dual DC/H-bridge driver, designed as a drop-in replacement for a standard stepstick.
10 partsCERN-OHL-W-2.0
4 layers15.2 × 20.3 mm
StepStick DC Driver
ARCLille/StepStick-DC-DriverA dual DC/H-bridge driver, designed as a drop-in replacement for a standard stepstick.
- Size
- 15.2 × 20.3 mm
- Copper layers
- 4
- Thickness
- 0.83 mm
- Parts
- 10
- Nets
- 26
- Pads
- 65
- Tracks, vias
- 90, 69
- Pours
- 23
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 9.0 (file 20241229)
- Created
- 18 Mar 2026
- Updated
- 1 May 2026
Overview
StepStick DC Driver is an open-source printed circuit board by ARCLille, from the ARCLille/StepStick-DC-Driver repository on GitHub, published under the CERN-OHL-W-2.0 licence. It is a 4-layer board of 15.2 × 20.3 mm with 10 parts on 26 nets, routed with 90 tracks and 69 vias.
It is built around the TB67H453FNG(O,EL). Its parts include 3 capacitors, 2 resistors, 2 ICs and 2 connectors.
Main components
1README
V1/README.mdStepStick DC Driver
A dual DC/H-bridge driver, designed as a drop-in replacement for a standard stepstick.
Designed around the TB67H481FNG IC. Datasheets can be found here.
Specs
- Dual H-Bridge : Can drive two DC loads in both directions
- 1.8A Max per channel
- Accepts an input power voltage between 8.4 and 44v
- Based around a 4 layer PCB, to improve heat dissipation (a heat sink and active cooling is highly recommended)
- A maximum intensity can be configured with the
MS1andMS2pins - Can be enabled or disabled with the
enpin, just like a standard stepstick - Compatible with both 5v and 3.3v logic voltage
Pinout
You can use the Pololu_Breakout_A4988 symbol from the default KiCad library, with its accompanying default footprint. Here is a pinout correspondence for the pins :
| StepStick DC Driver | Pololu A4988 |
|---|---|
| OB1 | 1B |
| OB2 | 1A |
| OA2 | 2A |
| OA1 | 2B |
| IA1 | DIR |
| IA2 | STEP |
| IB1 | RESET |
| IB2 | MS3 |
| NC | VDD, SLEEP |
[!WARNING] You need to add a 100uf capacitor between the
VMandGNDpins.
Configuration
If the resistors on the BOM are respected, the maximum intensity per channel can be configured with the MS1 and MS2 pins :
| MS1 | MS2 | Torque | Max current per channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| L | L | 100% | 1.8A |
| L | H | 71% | 1.3A |
| H | L | 38% | .7A |
| H | H | 0% (Output OFF) | 0A |
If left open, a pin will be pulled down (considered L). The configuration is the same for both channels.
Control
Channel A and B are both controlled by their own two pins Ix1 and Ix2 :
| Ix1 | Ix2 | Ox1 | Ox2 | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L | L | L | L | Short Brake |
| L | H | L | H | Counterclockwise |
| H | L | H | L | Clockwise |
| H | H | H | H | Short brake |
If left open, a pin will be pulled down (considered L). If you do not want to use one of the channels, you can simply not connect the output to anything.
Fabrication notes
The constraints have been set up for Aisler's Beautiful Boards service.
It is advised to use a .8mm total thickness instead of the standard 1.6mm to improve the thermal dissipation.
Real world testing
To be done.
Parts
10| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1u | Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012Metric | C1, C2, C3 |
| 2 | 1k | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric | R1, R2 |
| 2 | Conn_01x08_Pin | Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x08_P2.54mm_Vertical | J1, J2 |
| 2 | TB67H453FNG | TB67H453FNG:TB67H453FNG | IC1, IC2 |
| 1 | R_Potentiometer_Trim 100k | POT_EVM3R:POT_EVM3R | RV1 |
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Questions
How big is the StepStick DC Driver PCB?
It measures 15.2 × 20.3 mm and has 4 copper layers, 0.83 mm thick.
What parts does the StepStick DC Driver use?
10 parts, built around the TB67H453FNG(O,EL). The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.
Where can I download the StepStick DC Driver KiCad files?
From the ARCLille/StepStick-DC-Driver repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is StepStick DC Driver.kicad_pcb and its schematic StepStick DC Driver.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the StepStick DC Driver design in my own project?
Its repository publishes it under the CERN-OHL-W-2.0 licence: you may reuse it on that licence's terms (keep the author's notice, and for a copyleft licence share your changes alike).