dsPIC Tools Simplify Motor-Control Designs

Two new tools from Microchip Technology aim to help engineers overcome the headaches that come with the design of motor controllers. First, the dsPICDEM MCHV Development System helps engineers evaluate and design of a variety of high-voltage, closed-loop motor controllers. Applicable motors include AC induction motors (ACIMs), brushless DC (BLDC) motors, and permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs). This development system combines a proven motor-control system and power-factor correction (PFC) circuitry. The dsPICDEM MCHV Development System (DM330023) costs $US 650.

Second, the dsPICDEM MCSM Development Board helps engineers use unipolar or bipolar stepper motors in a design. This board uses a microcontroller from the dsPIC33 Motor Control family to create open-loop and current-closed-loop micro-step routines. This development tool also provides engineers with a control GUI that lets them fine-tuning the stepper motor’s operation. (By using closed-loop current control, stepper motors can operate faster than their rated speeds but still offer high torque and low-noise operation.) The dsPICDEM MCSM Development Board (DM330022) costs $US 130. Engineers can purchase the dsPICDEM MCSM Development Kit (DV330021) that includes a stepper motor and a 24-V power supply for $US 270.

Free Sample Software

Royalty- and license-free source code accompanies five application notes for the dsPICDEM MCHV and one for the dsPICDEM MCSM. Thus, engineers can start with Microchip’s proven and efficient code and reducr their software-writing and -debugging efforts. These six app notes comprise:

My added notes in brackets–Jon

Some app notes refer to other MCUs, but according to Microchip, the tools offer “Seamless migration options from and to the PIC24F, PIC24H, dsPIC30F & dsPIC33F product families for this device.” (From the dsPIC32FJ16MC304 MCU data sheet.)

For more information about dev-kits and -systems, software, application notes and dsPIC MCUs, visit: www.microchip.com/get/SVSE.

Have you used a dev kit of -system to assist you with a motor-control design? If so, which ones did you evaluate and eventually use? –Jon Titus