Online simulation tool allows motor designers to evaluate TI’s InstaSPIN-FOC breakthrough motor control technology

Within the online simulation, evaluators can select from a library of motors, customize speed and load profiles and obtain simulation results within minutes. The simulation viewer enables users to view each waveform with a variety of zoom and pan options, perform numerous waveform analyses (e.g., period calculations, RMS, average) and print results. The entire experience is intended to give users confidence to proceed with motor designs using TI InstaSPIN-FOC motor technology.

Introduced in February, TI’s InstaSPIN-FOC removes the need for a mechanical motor rotor sensor, reduces system costs and improves operation using TI’s new software encoder (sensorless observer) algorithm, FAST (flux, angle, speed and torque), embedded in the read-only-memory on TI’s 32-bit C2000 Piccolo™ microcontrollers. InstaSPIN-FOC also eases development and complexity for designers — even those with limited motor control experience — and enables premium solutions that improve motor efficiency, performance and reliability in all variable speed and variable load motor applications. This motor technology joins the previously introduced InstaSPIN-MOTION and InstaSPIN-BLDC technologies and will be followed with future InstaSPIN variations to make motor control development easier and more efficient.

Web-based interactive simulation puts the InstaSPIN-FOC™ FAST software observer to the test, proving it truly can:
• Save months of research and design time. Use the revolutionary new observer to feed the FOC algorithm. The FAST observer has already been designed, built, tested and coded within the memory of select C2000 PiccoloTM MCUs.
• Offer near encoder performance. View accurate angle estimates with respect to the true flux axis of the machine. Typical performance of the angle estimator is usually less than one degree off of the actual flux axis, depending on speed. This allows you to eliminate the encoder in many applications where it was previously required.
• Eliminate need for other system sensors. Verify how the FAST software observer accurately tracks motor torque, motor speed and motor flux to eliminate separate sensors for these system parameters.
• Accommodate a multitude of three-phase motors. BLDC, SPM and AC induction motors can all be tested with the simulation (IPM motors are also supported with the InstaSPIN-FOC solution).
• Facilitate a quick startup period. The FAST observer quickly adapts to chaotic startup conditions and can transition to closed-loop sensorless control usually within one cycle of the AC waveforms.
• Achieve slow speed performance with angle integrity preserved at steady state below 1 Hz (typical) with full torque, reversals through zero speed and smooth stall recovery.

Pricing and availability
Access the InstaSPIN-FOC online simulation tool for free today. InstaSPIN-FOC is available today on the production-ready, 90 MHz, 32-bit floating point Piccolo F2806xF microcontrollers starting at $6.70 USD per 10 Ku.