All of the devices we have discussed are supported by the PractiSPIN evaluation system. The PractiSPIN system consists of three main components. First, a dedicated evaluation board for each supported device. Next, a hardware interface board based on the ST72264 microcontroller. And finally, user interface software that runs on a Windows Based PC. In operation, the ST7 microcontroller on the interface board communicates with the user interface on the PC across an RS232 link and generates the real time control signals for the driver ICs. The PC based software sends all of the commands to the ST7 across the RS232 as simple ASCII commands. The PC software can also update the firmware in the ST7 across the RS232 link. The system uses this in application programming of the ST7 flash to provide the flexibility to support many devices or applications. Each device or application has its own dedicated firmware that is transferred into the flash memory. The PractiSPIN system will automatically determine if the appropriate firmware is loaded in the ST7. Each supported device has a dedicated evaluation board. This board includes the power connections and all required external components for the device and connects to the ST7 across a 34 Pin ribbon cable. The circuitry on the dedicated evaluation board is generally the configuration shown as the typical application on the data sheet. In some cases adjustments are provided on the board to set the operating conditions that are not controlled by the software. Generally these boards may also be connected to the user’s system to test the user’s firmware. For the stepper motors, the user interface and firmware typically allow the user to set the acceleration rate (in steps per second squared), the maximum speed (in steps per second) and deceleration rate. The user can also typically set the peak current for each part of the movement and the holding current between movements. The current setting capability is specific to each device. The PractiSPIN system also supports the L6205, L6206, L6207, L6225, L6226 and L6227 for DC motor applications.