Using FPGAs for Trapezoidal Motor Control

Performance and cost goals for permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM or BLDC) controllers have become increasingly challenging by the day. As a result, designers have migrated to sophisticated closed-loop control methods using DSPs or special purpose microcontrollers. However, these implementations are now running into the performance wall. Enter the customizable system-on-chip (cSoC). This paper explores the basic building blocks necessary to implement various forms of 3-phase motor control using a fusion of software and hardware to extend performance while at the same time reducing power and improving overall efficiency and reliability.