Since the invention of the first hand-cranked disc DC generator by M. Faraday in 1831, the electric motor has a history of over 180 years. An electric motor is an electromagnetic mechanical device that uses the interaction of electricity and magnetism to convert and transfer energy. In a broad sense, electric motors include both electric motors and generators. Electric motors absorb electrical energy from an electrical system and output mechanical energy to a mechanical system. Various types of electric motors are widely used in all sectors of the national economy and in household appliances, primarily serving as the power source for various mechanical equipment. In fact, electric motors are veritable "electricity giants," consuming over 70% of the world's industrial electricity. In my country, the total electricity consumption of various electric motors accounts for over 60% of the total electricity consumption of the entire society. Under the current severe situation of green, energy-saving, and emission-reduction initiatives, there is a great demand for high-efficiency motor solutions. Microchip can provide high-efficiency solutions for local needs, including brushed DC, brushless DC, stepper motors, and AC induction motors.
Microchip offers a full range of MCUs for motor control, from low-cost 8-bit devices to high-performance 16-bit and 32-bit devices. These devices include innovative motor control PWM peripherals, including complementary waveforms and a dedicated time base. The high-performance dsPIC® DSC core includes DSP instructions for more precise control of applications requiring constant torque speed changes and field-oriented control, resulting in greater efficiency.
Microchip supports a broad portfolio of ARM® Cortex® M0, M4, and M7-based products, as well as the PIC32MK family of 32-bit MIPS-based chips, supporting customers seeking 32-bit floating-point processing extended by DSP. Single-chip motor control and drive solutions enable simpler designs and reduced board space. These devices are typically used as companion chips to PIC® microcontrollers and dsPIC® digital signal controllers. Microchip offers a full range of MCUs for motor control, from low-cost 8-bit devices to high-performance 16-bit and 32-bit devices. These devices include innovative motor control PWM peripherals, including complementary waveforms and dedicated time bases. The high-performance dsPIC® DSC core incorporates DSP instructions for more precise control of applications requiring constant torque speed changes and field-oriented control for greater efficiency.
Number 1 Brushed DC Motor Solution
Microchip's brushed DC motor control solutions are based on its MCUs, gate drivers, and ignition controllers for brushed DC motor control. These MCUs can be used in a variety of general-purpose and low-power applications. They feature multiple PWMs, various communication methods, temperature sensors, and memory access partitions (MAPs).
Brushed DC motors are named after the "brushes" used for commutation. There is a commutator on the windings of the rotor or armature. The brushes contact and disconnect with the commutator segments, thus commutating the power supply to the armature. Brushed DC motors are easy to control because speed and torque are proportional to the applied voltage/current.
Microchip's brushed DC motor control solution is characterized by good controllability, linear torque/current curves, speed proportional to applied voltage, and low heat dissipation.
Number2 Brushless DC Motor Control Solution
Microchip's brushless DC motors are based on its range of MCUs for ignition controllers and brushless DC motor control drivers. These devices are highly effective in embedded applications with extremely low power consumption, offering exceptional performance. These solutions include complete motor control and drive solutions for automotive and industrial applications.
Microchip's brushless DC motor applications also include anti-lock braking systems, disk drive servos, and throttle control.
Number3 Stepper Motor
Microchip's stepper motor control solutions are based on its full range of MCUs, digital signal processors, and controllers. Microchip's digital signal controllers and microcontrollers feature enhanced cores with unique capabilities for embedded control of small motors and general-purpose applications. These devices are developed for high-efficiency system design, with a focus on reducing overall power consumption and cost of motor systems.
Number 4 AC Induction Motor
Alternating current induction motors (ACIM), sometimes called squirrel-cage motors, are among the most popular motors in consumer and industrial applications. Induction motors are by far the largest group of all industrial motors, converting approximately 70-80% of all electrical energy into mechanical form.
Microchip's AC induction motor solutions are based on its full range of MCUs for brushed AC induction motor control. These devices are developed for designing high-efficiency systems with a focus on reducing power consumption and cost. They feature essential peripherals such as intelligent analog and core-independent peripherals (CIPs), as well as ultra-low power (XLP) communication capabilities for a variety of low-power applications.
AC induction motors are mainly used in air conditioner and refrigerator compressors, household appliances, water pumps, blowers, factory automation, power tools, etc.
Number 5 permanent magnet synchronous motor
Permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs) offer high reliability and efficiency. They can help reduce design torque without sacrificing losses. While PMSMs require commutation similar to brushless DC motors, they necessitate more complex control algorithms, thus requiring higher-performance controllers such as Microchip's dsPICDSC and 32-bit PIC32MK, or Cortex-M based solutions.
Microchip provides development tools and application notes to help you develop advanced PMSM control solutions such as sensorless field orientation control (FOC).
Typical applications of permanent magnet synchronous motors include
• Air conditioning and refrigerator compressors
• Direct drive washing machine
• Electric power steering in automobiles
• Processing tools
• Traction control
• Industrial sewing machines
For motor control, Microchip consistently strives to achieve high torque output and high efficiency while reducing costs (e.g., by minimizing the use of permanent magnets). This is precisely what is needed in the industrial control, white goods, and automotive application sectors. With increasing demands for motor efficiency, finding cost-effective alternatives is becoming increasingly crucial. Microchip is committed to improving peripheral performance and providing excellent platforms to help customers develop high-quality products. We can provide you with the high-efficiency motor control solutions you need, and we can proudly say, "There's always a motor control solution for you!"
