View the Toshiba whitepaper - Moving Motor-Control Design Forward

Moving Motor-Control Design Forward Advances in embedded processing are driving the emergence of higher performing and more open platforms for building intelligent motor controls. Introduction: Harnessing Embedded Progress As appliance energy ratings have become increasingly important selection criteria for appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators and air conditioners, intelligent motor controls offering increased efficiency have evolved from high-end signal-processing applications to adopt a more hardwarecentric architecture based on general-purpose microcontrollers. Now, with the arrival of new high performing and cost-effective embedded processors such as the 32-bit ARM® Cortex™-M family, the scene is set for a more flexible and open firmware-based approach. The ARM Cortex embedded processor architecture, which offers 32-bit performance and improved processing efficiency at traditional 8-bit or 16-bit price points, is enabling new generations of microcontrollers (MCUs) capable of hosting high-performance applications. Among the emerging classes of devices using the Cortex processor, motor-control MCUs that implement important IP blocks not as dedicated hardware but rather as firmware can provide the basis for a cost-effective and customisable high-performing solution. As firmware, the motor-control IP allows developers the flexibility to use only the functions they need, without having to accept high silicon overheads. Operating alongside, the Cortex core has enough processing capacity to support value-added features and functions such as motor emergency stop or advanced user interface features in addition to performing basic motor-control calculations that support the firmware. To read the full White Paper click here