【Application Solution】Domestic Chip for Robot Fingertips, awinic Motors/Pressure Sensing/Small Package Power Supply Unlocks Human-like Dexterity

2026-08-13

Dexterous Hand (Dexterous Robotic Hand) is anew type of robotic end-effector, which mimics the structure and function of the human hand and plays a key role in the interaction between robots and the environment. It belongs todeep bionics, flexible sensing, Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS), high-performance materialsand other cutting-edge technologies. The core design philosophy of the dexterous hand isbionics——, mimicking the structure and function of the human hand. The human hand possesses22–23degrees of freedom, weighs approximately400–500grams, yet can accomplish over54%of full-body motion functions within a weight of less than half a kilogram.

Figure1 Schematic diagram of a robotic dexterous hand

Addressing the four core pain points of humanoid dexterous hands:confined space, multi-degree-of-freedom actuation, refined force sensing, and lightweight power supply, awinic providesmotor drivers, high-precision pressure sensors, small packages LDO, and ultra-small package Hall sensorsLatchacross its full chip series, deeply adapted for robotic dexterous hand development scenarios: brushed motor drivers integrate H bridges and current sampling, suitable for micro-actuators in fingers; pressure sensor chips offer high-sensitivity force detection; ultra-small WLCSP,DFNand other packaged power chips feature high power density and minimal board footprint, perfectly adapting to the compact layout of the palm. These four product categories work together in hardware and software synergy, significantly reducing the PCB design, component selection, and debugging cycle for multi-degree-of-freedom dexterous hands, providing an integrated domestic chip solution for dexterous hands coveringactuation - , sensing - , and power supply.

Figure2 Block diagram of awinic's dexterous hand application

01 Small size,300mALow Dropout Regulator (LDO)

AWP37034is awinic's new generation ofhigh-performanceLDOdevices, currently available inDFN1×1andDFN0.8×0.8packages. They are highly suitable for dexterous hand applications with stringent board area requirements. The parameter characteristics are as follows:

• Input voltage range:1.4 V to 5.5 V

• Rated output current:300 mA

• Quiescent current: typical value 38 μA

• Typical dropout voltage:177 mV (IOUT = 300 mA,2.8 V output)

• Power Supply Rejection Ratio (PSRR):75 dB @ frequency = 1 kHz

• Noise: typical value 60 μVrms

• Package:DFN 0.8 mm × 0.8 mm - 4L,DFN 1 mm × 1 mm - 4L

Figure3 AWP37034Peripheral Circuit and Package Schematic

02 Ultra-Compact Hall SensorLatch, suitable for detecting motor commutation

As current dexterous hands have increasingly higher requirements forcostandboard area, low-cost DC brushless electric cylinder solutions require the integration of small-package Hall sensorslatchto identify motor commutation status.AW86531ARCSRis awinic's new generation ofhigh-voltage small-package Hall sensorlatchproducts. Features are as follows:

• Bipolar latching Hall sensor

• Operating voltage range:2.7 V to 30 V

• Reverse supply voltage support:-32 V

• 10 μs Ultra-fast response time

• Maximum continuous output current:50 mA

• Operating temperature range:-40 °C to +150 °C

• Open-drain output

• Electrostatic discharge (ESD) immunity:>10 kV(HBM)

• With output current limit protection

• Package size:WLCSP - 0.835mm × 0.775mm - 4B

Figure4 AW86531ARCSRPackage and Peripheral Circuit Schematic

03 Ultra-Compact Single-Channel Operational Amplifier

In some electric cylinders with pressure detection, a resistor bridge is often required to convert the pressure signal inside the cylinder into a voltage signal, while simultaneously performing signalamplificationandacquisition.AWS90001DNRLeveraging itsDFN-0.8×0.8ultra-small package, it is highly suitable for pressure signal acquisition circuits in electric cylinders. Parameter features are as follows:

• Supply voltage range:1.8 V ～ 5.5 V

• Low input offset voltage:±0.4 mV(TYP)

• Slew rate:2 V/μs

• Low input bias current:1 pA

• Low broadband noise:25 nV/√Hz

• Rail-to-rail input and output

• Bandwidth:1 MHz

• Small PackageDFN - 0.8mm × 0.8mm - 5L

Figure5 AWS90001DNRApplication Circuit and Package Schematic

04 Pressure SensingAFE,AW86872CSR

Corresponding to the solution for operational amplifiers in electric cylinder pressure signal processing, with integratedPGA,ADCAW86872CSR, featuringHigh integration level,Easy debuggingand other advantages; no external operational amplifier or reference voltage source is required. The following are the features ofAW86872CSR:

• 2.6~5.5VWide voltage input

• 2-channel analog differential signal input

• 14bit SAR ADC,ADCMaximum sampling rate up to200K SPS

• Built-in two-stagePGA, supporting up to256times signal amplification

• Equipped with12bit DAC, offering maximum calibration capability of (0.25*VS)

• Integrated temperature sensor inside

• Supports baseline tracking function,DACAutomatic calibration

• Package Type:WLCSP 1.41mm × 1.41mm -16B

Figure6 AW86872CSRPeripheral Circuit and Package Schematic

05 DC Brushed Motor Driver with Current Sensing

Miniature brushed coreless motor solution for dexterous hands, relying on simplified motor structure and singleH-bridge(AWD8231ADNR)low-cost drive architecture, eliminating Hall sensors and complex three-phase control circuits; overall BOM,PCB, assembly, and software debugging costs are lower than brushless solutions. The following are the parameter features ofAWD8231ADNR:

• Rdson HS + LS: 560mΩ

• Maximum Peak Current:3.6A

• Operating Voltage Range: 4.5V ~ 33V

• Control Method:PWM / GPIO

• Features low-power sleep mode

• IntegratedIPROPIcurrent sensing, enabling stall detection and current regulation

• Available inOCP,TSD,UVLO

• Package:DFN 2mm × 2mm - 8L

Figure7 AWD8231ADNRPeripheral Circuit and Package Schematic

awinic Dexterous Hand Material Recommended Selection Table

Table1 awinic Dexterous Hand Component Selection Guide