SoC FPGA kit offers scalable multi-axis motor control

The SmartFusion2 SoC FPGA dual-axis motor control kit comes ready to use out of the box with a compact evaluation board, access to Microsemi’s encrypted motor control IP, and a Libero Gold Edition license to jumpstart motor control designs. The kit uses a modular SmartFusion2 SoC FPGA daughter card that enables customers to easily partition their motor control solutions for hardware only or hardware/software implementation using the modular motor control IP suite and the ARM Cortex M3 MCU in SmartFusion2.

Microsemi’s starter kit is suitable for customers who need scalable multi-axis motor control, and more performance than an MCU/DSP-based kit, with the ability to integrate additional system function on the FPGA to realise lower cost of ownership. The kit provides a flexible design platform for customers to scale motor/motion control solutions across compact, standard and premium AC drives and custom stepper/servo motor applications.

SmartFusion2 with Microsemi’s motor control IP enables customers to offload CPU/DSP processing to the FPGA for faster parallel processing. The modular IP suite running on the FPGA is able to drive two BLDC/stepper motor channels with the motor controller kit (while the IP can scale to six-axis) or drive motor performance beyond 30,000 RPM.

With the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimating that electric motors represent more than 45% of all electrical energy consumption, SmartFusion2 SoC FPGAs can lower total device power consumption by more than 50% and lower static power by 10 times over competing SRAM-based FPGAs. The security features available in SmartFusion2 also safeguard connected motors against malevolent hackers and IP theft.

According to a market research report from The Freedonia Group, the U.S. market for electric motors is forecast to expand 5.4% per year through 2018 to $16.2bn, accelerating from the 2008-2013 period. Electric motors are key components in many durable goods, and as a result, suppliers will benefit from solid gains in HVAC equipment; machinery and motor vehicle output.

“The modular approach to the SmartFusion2 SoC FPGA dual-axis motor control kit helps to customise the solution for the customer,” said Shakeel Peera, Senior Director of FPGA/SoC Marketing, Microsemi. “Scalability also allows for a different combination of motors. With this design kit, customers can spend less time on qualifying  devices and more time on growing their business.”

For a limited time, the kit will be priced at a promotional value of $599 and will be available through distribution partners.