Tools and libraries for motor control

This article presents Microchip tools and libraries that expands support for motor control. These tools and libraries include the dsPICDEMTM MCLV Development Board, dsPIC33FJ32MC204 Plug-in Module, MPLAB IDE Version 8.15, and application notes AN1208 and AN1206.

The dsPICDEMTM MCLV Development Board (part # DM330021) is a new low-voltage Brushless DC (BLDC) motor- control development platform supporting the dsPIC33F family of motor control dsPIC® Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs). It provides a cost-effective method for evaluating and developing sensored or sensorless BLDC and Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) control applications. The board is available now for $150.00 and contains a three-phase inverter bridge circuit. This circuit drives a BLDC or PMSM motor using different control techniques, without requiring any additional hardware. The dsPICDEM MCLV board is capable of controlling motors rated up to 48V and 15 Amps, and supports multiple communication channels, such as USB, CAN,LIN and RS-232. It employs a processor-differentiated Plug-In Module (PIM) strategy to support a variety of dsPIC33F motor-control DSCs with different memory and pin configurations. A dsPIC33FJ32MC204 Plug-in Module (32 KB Flash and 44 pins) is included with the dsPICDEMMCLV Development Board. 

Additionally, Microchip announced two new motor-control software solutions. One shows how Power Factor Correction (PFC) algorithms can be combined with sensorless motor-control algorithms on a single chip. The second software solution demonstrates how to run an AC Induction Motor (ACIM) faster than its rated speed for a class of applications, to lower cost, save space or reduce weight. 

Power Factor Correction Plus Sensorless Motor Control on a Single Chip

The worldwide demand for improved power quality standards is driving the trend to add PFC to line-powered motor control applications. Power quality can be enhanced by implementing PFC, and efficient control of a motor can be realized using sensorless Field Oriented Control (FOC) techniques. Both can be achieved by integrating PFC and sensorless FOC algorithms on a single dsPIC DSC. Microchip’s Application Note AN1208 describes the process of integrating these two complex functions in a PMSM application. This application note also lists the necessary hardware requirements, and provides the guidelines to optimize the development procedure. Source code is provided for dsPIC30F and dsPIC33F DSCs, along with the application note, on Microchip’s Web site. 

Sensorless Field-Oriented Control of an AC Induction Motor using Field Weakening

This algorithm provides high torque at low speed and high performance, with lower torque at extended speed. It is ideal for applications such as washing machines, automotive traction control, or any ACIM applications that wishes to optimize torque per amp above the rated speed or constant torque region of an ACIM. The strategy is described in Microchip's Application Note AN1206, which provides source code for the dsPIC30F and dsPIC33F DSCs.