BLDC motors are synchronous and compact, provide high efficiency and eliminate the need for any maintenance. They have a big advantage over DC brushed motors, being suitable for consumer and industrial applications that require very stringent standards.
DC brushed motors are mechanically commutated. They have brushes and a commutator that applies voltage to the coils according to the specific rotor position.
Unlike DC brushed motors, the commutation in BLDC motors is done depending on the position of the rotor, which has to be known.
To determine the position of the rotor, either sensor or sensorless algorithms can be used.