Rapid motor control development - Firmware

Rapid motor control development - Firmware

There are many boards to simplify the integration of sensors, memories, and input controls available, such as the Clicker 4 from MikroElektronika. This eases the design of BLDC motor control and is supported by firmware tools such as Toshiba’s MCU Motor Studio.

Motor Studio incorporates motor control firmware for the TMPM4K family of microcontrollers. With algorithms for sinewave commutation and vector-oriented control, it is suited to brushless DC (BLDC) and other types of motors supporting up to three motors from a single M4K microcontroller. A second software component is the Motor Control PC Tool, providing parameter configuration, drive control, and real-time logging and diagnostics via the Clicker 4’s high-speed UART/USB interface.

The firmware offers three control schemes: speed, torque, and precise position, defining which parameter is used for control. Both sensor-based or sensorless control are supported as are one-shunt and three-shunt current detection schemes. In precision position control mode, measurements confirm that the Toshiba motor algorithm is more accurate than Hall sensors – and those attained using a high-precision encoder.

The motor control services layer offers advanced functions that simplify porting to other hardware or microcontrollers within the M4K family. A Zero Current Point detector calibrates the ADC with no current applied to the motor, an essential part of the control algorithm. Stop Control supports gentle braking, short-braking through shorting the MOSFETs in the inverter, and self-inertia braking by leaving the inverter MOSFETs open circuit. Recovery from a magnetic field stall condition is available, along with load-dependent speed reduction. Sensor-based and sensorless precise control are also integrated into this software layer.

Fault protection mechanisms include over current and voltage, and under voltage, along with motor disconnection detection and over temperature monitoring.

Matching the firmware to the chosen motor is achieved with ease using the Motor Control PC Tool that allows the developer to define the motor characteristics using its graphical user interface (GUI).

Download Toshiba’s motor control whitepaper here:

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