Motor Control
As the cost of power continues to rise and the automation of factories increases, motor efficiency is becoming increasingly important. To achieve optimum efficiency, motor control electronics need to read current and voltage of the motor and perform a series of mathematical operations using computed errors and corrections. The output results in commands to the inverter. All of these need to be completed in a timely manner, before the motor’s feedback readings become obsolete. The shorter the loop time, the faster motors response to changes, thus, less ripple and less energy dissipated by the motor, resulting a motor drive system with greater precision and efficiency.
Advanced algorithms such as Field Oriented Control (FOC), which delivers great efficiency and performance, typically require fast computational and parallel processing performance that cannot be met using traditional MCUs. Xilinx FPGAs can provide a number of advantages over traditional processing devices.
Advantages of using Xilinx FPGAs in Motor Control
- Higher performance and lower cost through greater on-chip integration of system components
- Field Oriented Control algorithm in FPGA hardware
- Customized motor control algorithm and different modulation scheme
- Motor control-specific boards and kits for shorter development time
IP and Reference Designs
Xilinx with help of Xilinx Alliance Member, QDESYS has developed a series of stand-alone IP blocks (such as PI Controllers, Park/Clark Transforms, etc.) to help users construct a Field Oriented Control (FOC) using Spartan®-6 FPGAs. There are also hardware validated reference designs using these IP blocks targeting Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM) and Stepper motors available for evaluation.
Learn more about IP solutions from QDESYS