# Stepper Driver L6203 - with or without L6506?

**URL:** https://community.simplefoc.com/t/stepper-driver-l6203-with-or-without-l6506/8354
**Category:** hardware support
**Tags:** l6203
**Created:** [September 30, 2026, 9:39am UTC](https://community.simplefoc.com/t/stepper-driver-l6203-with-or-without-l6506/8354 "2026-09-30T09:39:35Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![Tyandriel](https://community.simplefoc.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/4da419/32.png) [@Tyandriel](https://community.simplefoc.com/u/Tyandriel)
#### Post date: [September 30, 2026, 9:39am UTC](https://community.simplefoc.com/t/stepper-driver-l6203-with-or-without-l6506/8354/1 "2026-09-30T09:39:35Z")

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My goal is to drive a 24V Stepper Motor Nema 17 or 23 with SimpleFOC, therefore a driver board with 4 PWM In is needed. And capable of something around 3,5A +/-1. After searching for hours and hours, results are frustrating:

- L298N galore, but the efficiency is horrible
- too little Amps
- total overkill DC drivers, large in size, power and price, 2 needed
- total overkill in functionality and price (all the ODrive-esque stuff)
- Step/Dir

Now I’m doing my own, using 2 [L6203](https://www.st.com/en/motor-drivers/l6203.html), the PCB is ready to order prototypes. I did two versions, one with current controler [L6506](https://www.st.com/en/motor-drivers/l6506.html) and one without. Does it make any sense to put the L6506 in between using SimpleFOC? Or is this a stupid idea?

The variant without the L6506 will also have the current sensing ability/resistors on board.