TI InstaSPIN™-FOC motor control solution features FAST™ software encoder algorithm

Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) introduced the InstaSPIN™-FOC (field-oriented-control) motor control solution, which designers can use to identify, tune and control (through variable speeds and loads) three-phase, synchronous or asynchronous motors in five minutes or less.

The InstaSPIN removes the need for a mechanical motor rotor sensor, thus reducing system costs. A TI software encoder (sensorless observer) algorithm called FAST (flux, angle, speed and torque), embedded in ROM on TI 32-bit C2000™ Piccolo™ microcontrollers, is said to improve operation. According to the company, motor control system designers can now concentrate on differentiating designs rather than spending weeks and months tuning their motor control systems.

InstaSPIN-FOC joins the previously introduced InstaSPIN-BLDC technology and will be followed with future InstaSPIN variations.

Features and benefits of InstaSPIN-FOC™ technology:

• Save months of design time with nearly fully automated identification and control tuning, allowing designers to differentiate their products with capabilities beyond full motor torque.
• Near encoder performance with embedded on-chip FAST observer algorithm calculating a reliable and robust estimation of flux, angle, speed and torque across use conditions. Accurate, sensorless “estimator” performance eliminates the need for a physical encoder in most cases.
• Accommodate all three-phase motors, synchronous (BLDC, SPM and IPM) and asynchronous (ACI) with the same solution.
• Identify and tune with off-line motor commissioning that identifies the needed electrical parameters of the motor, tunes the FAST algorithm, and initializes the current controllers for stable operation. An optional online resistance re-estimation mode which tracks changes for robust observer performance in the harshest use cases is also offered.
• Eliminate start-up challenges of other sensorless techniques with built-in start-up modes and observer angle lock in less than one electrical cycle.
• Slow speed performance with angle integrity preserved at steady state below 1 Hz (typical) with full torque, reversals through zero speed and stall conditions with smooth stall recovery.
• Gain flexibility with the ability to implement a single function call FOC torque controller (supports up to two motors from the same ROM) or a completely custom control system with FAST as the motor sensor.
• Allow most efficient motor sizing with built-in field control, providing manual or automated field-weakening (higher speeds) or manual field-boosting (higher torque) applications.
• Gain massive energy savings for induction motors using the PowerWarp™ mode, eliminating energy waste during times when torque is not immediately required.
• Develop easily and evaluate quickly using the new motor control library (modules, drivers, system examples, documentation) through MotorWare™, which offers latest in C object-oriented and API-based coding techniques. Conduct lab instrumentation through TI’s free, new GUI Composer tool.

Pricing and availability  

InstaSPIN-FOC is available today on 90 MHz, 32-bit floating point Piccolo F2806xF microcontrollers starting at $6.70 per 10 Ku.  InstaSPIN-FOC will be featured on several other Piccolo microcontrollers in the near future.  Designers can begin InstaSPIN-FOC motor designs with a low-voltage, low-current motor control kit for $299 (DRV8312-69M-KIT), low-voltage, high-current motor control kit for $299 (DRV8301-69M-KIT) or high-voltage motor control kit for $699 (TMDSHVMTRINSPIN). Designers who have previously purchased a TI motor control development kit can order the modular InstaSPIN™-FOC-enabled Piccolo controlCARD for $99 (TMDSCNCD28069MISO).

For more about InstaSPIN-FOC and TI motor control solutions visit:

TI motor control solutions:  www.ti.com/c2x-isfoc-pr-lp3 

Motor control training: www.ti.com/c2x-isfoc-pr-tr

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