Motor Control Technologies

Toshiba offers microcontrollers that incorporate a digital RDC, a Vector Engine (VE) and one-shot pulse generator. These features help simplify and improve the efficiency of software operations.

* Resolver-to-Digital Converter: a circuit that converts angular (sine and cosine) information from sensors that reside on the motor into digital signals.

On-chip digital RDC

Toshiba's microcontrollers integrate an RDC that has traditionally been implemented as a separate chip. This reduces the external part count, saves board space and eases the part approval process. Additionally, the digitalized RDC provides improved noise immunity and greater design flexibility.

This figure lists Motor Control Technology.

The Advanced Programmable Motor Driver (A-PMD) can control up to two motors at low to high speeds and reduces the CPU workload.

Hardware Advanced Programmable Motor Driver (A-PMD) IP

Vector Engine (VE): Toshiba's proprietary Vector Engine (VE) is used as a motor controller. The VE has an increased ratio of hardware processing and reduces the CPU workload for motor control by approximately 50% (compared to Toshiba's predecessor).
One-shot pulse generator: At high RPMs, the one-shot pulse generator allows the A-PMD to control motors with one pulse per revolution, thereby making it possible to spin them at 15,000 RPM or faster. At mid to high RPMs, the one-shot pulse generator results in an approximately 10% increase in the motor output power, compared to asynchronous PWM control. This provides greater flexibility in the use of smaller batteries or motors.

Autonomous Control in Three Different Modes

This figure lists Autonomous Control in Three Different Modes.

Hardware benefits

Programmers can put the off-loaded processing power of the CPU into new functions such as communications.
The hardware PMD allows a relatively low-end (i.e., low-power and thus low-noise) CPU to run motors.

CPU Workload Benchmark Results Using the PMD

	Clock Cycles Required*	TMP19A71 (Toshiba's Predecessor)	32-Bit MCU from Company A	TMPM370 (with On-Chip VE)
Speed/current control	603 cycles	Software	Software	Software
Position estimation	403 cycles	Software	Software	Software
Vector conversion	897 cycles	Software	Software	Hardware
AD data processing	195 cycles	Software	Software	Hardware
PWM generation	-	Hardware	Hardware	Hardware
CPU cycles required	2,098 cycles	50.7 µs@40 MHz (36.2 µs@56 MHz)	45.3 µs@40 MHz (28.3 µs@64 MHz)	15 µs@40 MHz (7.5 µs@80 MHz)

* Based on Toshiba's benchmark programs

This figure lists Hardware benefits.

* Bluetooth® is owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and licensed to Toshiba Corporation.

* ARM, ARM Cortex and ARM Cortex-A9 MP Core are trademarks or registered trademarks of ARM Limited in the EU and other countries.

* System and product names mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of respective companies or organizations.