Microchip Technology has launched a new family of dsPIC Digital Signal Controller (DSC)-based integrated motor drivers to implement efficient, real-time embedded motor control systems in space-constrained applications. These devices incorporate a dsPIC33 digital signal controller (DSC), a three-phase MOSFET gate driver, and an optional LIN or CAN FD transceiver into one package.
This integration reduces the component count of the motor control system design, includes smaller printed circuit board (PCB) dimensions, and is reduced in complexity.
“Automotive, consumer, and industrial designs are evolving and require higher performance and reduced footprints,” said Joe Thomsen, VP of Microchip’s digital signal controllers business unit. “These expectations often come at a higher expense and increase in dimensional size. By integrating multiple device functions into one chip, the dsPIC DSC-based integrated motor drivers can reduce system-level costs and board space.
The devices will be included in Microchip’s field-oriented control (FOC) software development suite (motorBench Development Suite) and are supported by development boards, reference designs, and application notes.
The integrated motor driver devices can be powered by a single power supply up to 29V (operation) and 40V (transient). An internal 3.3V low dropout (LDO) voltage regulator powers the dsPIC DSC, which eliminates the need for an external LDO to power the device. Operating between 70–100 MHz, the dsPIC DSC-based integrated motor drivers provide high CPU performance and can support efficient deployment of FOC and other advanced motor control algorithms.
Development tools
An extensive ecosystem of motor control software and hardware development tools help make the design process faster and easier, reducing the customer’s time to market.
The dsPIC33CK Motor Control Starter Kit (MCSK) and the MCLV-48V-300W are two new dsPIC33-based integrated motor driver development boards that provide rapid prototyping solutions with flexible control options. The MCSK includes a dsPIC33CK low-voltage motor control development board, a 24V three-phase BLDC motor, an AC/DC adapter, a USB cable, and other accessories.
This cost-effective kit supports fast prototyping of motor control applications that operate between 12 and 48 VDC with up to 10 Amps of continuous current. The MCLV-48V-300W development board enables fast prototyping of three-phase permanent magnet synchronous motors that are rated between 12 and 48 VDC and capable of delivering up to 25A RMS continuous current per phase. This inverter board introduces a new modular concept where a separate dual-in-line module (DIM) is inserted into the board to configure it for a particular dsPIC DSC or MCU.
The motorBench Development Suite is a free GUI-based software development tool for FOC that accurately measures critical motor parameters, automatically tunes feedback control gains, and generates source code by using the motor control application framework (MCAF). The latest version, v2.45, includes a powerful new feature called zero-speed/maximum torque (ZS/MT), which enables designers to eliminate Hall or magnetic sensors while maximizing the torque output of the motor from start-up and at low speeds.
This feature can be used in e-mobility and many other applications.
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