DRV8823: DRV8823 diagnostics

Part Number:DRV8823

Hello,

I'm searching for a chip that can drive at least 2 DC brushed motors at 1,5A peak with SPI control (final solution will have to control 36 motors from 1 MCU).

DRV8823 seems perfect for the job except that, if I understand correctly, it doesn't provide any diagnosis when a protection feature is triggered.
That is a problem because, if the MCU sends a command to drive a motor and it doesn't turn (the MCU gets motor position from an ADC) and no motor current is detected (a series shunt resistor + bidirectional diff amp will sense the current inline with the motor), we have no means to know if either :

• The motor is not connected
• One of the DRV8823 protection was triggered and it is waiting for a Vm reset

Am I correct ?

It is desirable to be able to know easily if a motor is badly connected or damaged, and to be able to distinguish this from a H-bridge fault.
Would you have any insight about this ?

Thank you, have a nice day,

Martin