A Brushless DC (BLDC) motor is a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor with unique back EMF waveform that allows them to behave similarly to a brushed DC motor. Some confusion can arise from the name, as a brushless DC motor does not directly operate off a DC voltage source. However, the basic principle of operation is similar to a DC motor.

A Brushless DC Motor has:A rotor with permanent magnets and a stator with windingsA BLDC motor is essentially a DC motor turned inside outBrushes and commutator have been eliminated and the windings are connected to the control electronicsControl electronics replace the function of the commutator and energize the proper windingWindings are energized in a pattern which rotates around the statorThe energized stator winding leads the rotor magnet and switches just as the rotor aligns with the stator.

Recommended Products for BLDC Motor Control 
Recommended Products for BLDC Motor Control
Microchip offers a complete line of single chip three-phase brushless drivers and three-phase brushless motor MOSFET gate drivers for a broad range of motor applications. These products are designed to interface to any microcontroller or be used in a standalone configuration.
For Single-Chip Drivers for BLDC Motor Control Start with the: MTD6501
For MOSFET Gate Drivers for BLDC Motor Control Start with the: MCP8024

Microchip’s award winning 8-bit PIC® MCUs are an excellent solution for simple trapezoidal sensored or sensorless control.
For 8-bit PIC MCUs for BLDC Motor Control Start with the: PIC16F917


For advanced closed loop sensorless or sensored BLDC motor control Microchip’s dsPIC® family of digital signal controllers (DSCs) offer DSP performance and advanced motor control peripherals.
For dsPIC DSCs for BLDC Motor Control Start with the: 16MIPS dsPIC33FJ16MC102 70MIPS dsPIC33EP64MC206

Microchip offers both MIPS and ARM Cortex MCU's for high performance, 32-bit motor control. These devices feature high performance peripherals tailored for high speed, closed loop motor control.
For 32-bit products for BLDC Motor Control start here: http://www.microchip.com/design-centers/32-bit