Motor Drives, Robotics & Controls

May 2023

Safe isolation and Low Power consumption in High Voltage Digital Control Applications

Jiaxin Tian, Senior Staff Product Application Engineer; Dr. Narayanaswamy Swaminathan, Staff Product Definition Engineer; and Dr. Diogo Varajao, Head of Technical Marketing of Isolation ICs, all at Infineon Technologies

Introduction Effective galvanic isolation is crucial in high-voltage applications to prevent unwanted leakage currents from flowing between two parts of a system with different ground potentials (GPD) [1]. As depicted in Figure 1 (left), the DC return current from the input to the output can cause a potentia

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Date:

05/14/2023

TRACO POWER’s new TRI 1 and TRI 1SM

1 watt DC/DC converters with 480 VAC isolation voltage

The core characteristic of the TRI 1(SM) series is a sophisticated reinforced isolation system which is able to withstand high test voltages (8000 VDC for 1s and 3000 VAC for 60s) and working voltages (480 VACrms). Efficiencies up to 84% allow safe operation from –40°C to +85°C without derating.

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Date:

05/10/2023

Multilevel Topology Reference Demo Addresses 850 VDC Applications with 650V GaN Fulfilling EV and Industrial Requirements

Innoscience Technology has collaborated with the Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH) to deliver a reference demo that employs Innoscience’s 650V InnoGaN HEMT devices in a multilevel topology to address 850VDC applications such as e-mobility motor drivers, solar and industrial inverters, EV fast chargers, an

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Date:

05/10/2023

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Figure 1: Using RS-485 to interface between the absolute encoder slave to servo drive master for closed-loop control of an ac motor

Reliability and Performance for Motor Control Encoders

Jens Sorenson and Richard Anslow, Analog Devices

The primary purpose of a motor control encoder is to measure angular position and speed measurement. Figure 1 shows a motor control signal chain using RS-485 transceivers and microprocessor to interface between the absolute encoder (ABSencoder) slave and industrial servo drive master for closed-loop control of

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Date:

05/01/2023

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Figure 1: An M23 cordset showing a 23 mm receptacle with a female 8-pole insert (Image source: Molex)

Robust Power, Communication, and Safety for Automation

Rolf Horn, Application Engineer, Digi-Key Electronics

Industrial automation has transformed the modern factory. Communication is now just as important as the electricity used for the drives and servo motors of the large machines that manufacture goods, and safety is critical as humans and robots work close together. The challenge for the automation engineer is se

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Date:

05/01/2023

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Figure 1: Electrification is affecting many different facets of our world – but the biggest and most visible impact may be in the area of vehicles - electric cars, buses, trucks and even bicycles

Enhancing Motor Performance in Demanding Systems with Advanced Current Sensing

Teoman Ustun, ACEINNA

One of the best ways to address motor-control circuit optimization is with advanced current-sensing solutions. We live in a time of disruptive growth, as new technologies are both benefiting and challenging society, with advances ranging from alternate energy systems to wide-bandgap semiconductors. One as

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Date:

05/01/2023

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Figure 1: BLDC motor six-step trapezoidal compared with sinusoidal drive waveforms

Field Oriented Control of Brushless DC Motors

Shoa Zhang, Staff System Application Engineer, Qorvo

There are many types of motors with their own pros and cons, but brushless DC (BLDC) types have become ubiquitous for their excellent efficiency, high performance, long life and low electrical and audible noise. If they have a downside, it is the relative complexity of the electrical drive, usually requiring th

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Date:

05/01/2023

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Figure 1: EPC Motor Drive Reference Design Power boards

Growing GaN Ecosystem for BLDC Motor Drives

Marco Palma, Motor Drives Systems and Applications Director at Efficient Power Conversion

So far, silicon-based power devices have been dominant in inverter electronics, but today their performance is nearing its theoretical limits. There is an increasing need for higher power density. Gallium nitride (GaN) transistors and ICs have the best attributes to satisfy BLDC inverter needs. The super

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Date:

05/01/2023

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Figure 1: Illustrates a typical motor drive design that has a Power Factor Correction (PFC) input rectifier

The Role of IGBTs in Increasing Motor Drive Efficiency

Jennifer Joseph, Product Line Director, Semiconductors, at Bourns, Inc.

Designs using motor drives, such as for electric vehicles, pumps, and fans, are being pushed to reduce the overall costs as well as decrease energy consumption in these same electric motor applications. Therefore, the selection of highly efficient devices for electric motors and their drives, and making sure ea

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Date:

05/01/2023

Ally Winning, European Editor, PSD

Putting the CIM into PCIM

Ally Winning, European Editor, PSD

In Europe, and most likely the rest of the world, May is the biggest month in the year for the power industry. That is because it is because it is when PCIM, the largest and most important power exhibition in the industry, is held. PCIM is the perfect meeting place for buyers and sellers to interact - where an

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Date:

05/01/2023

Jason Lomberg, North American Editor, PSD

Power Electronics in Orlando and a Motorized May

Jason Lomberg, North American Editor, PSD

What a show! What an APEC! While I cover 2023’s Applied Power and Electronics Conference in more detail in my “Final Thought” this month, I just wanted to wanted to give a huge shoutout to the Orange County Convention Center, the city of Orlando, and all the companies, PR reps, press, and analysts

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Date:

05/01/2023

Kevin Parmenter, Director, Applications Engineering. TSC, America

The Future of Motor Drives, Robotics, + Controls

Kevin Parmenter, Director, Applications Engineering. TSC, America

The global robotics technology market size was valued at $62.75 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach $189.36 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 13.5% from 2020 to 2027, according to Allied market research. Robotics, motor drives and controls were once separate application areas and markets. Now they ar

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Date:

05/01/2023