Technology Category
- Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation
- Processors & Edge Intelligence - Embedded & Edge Computers
Applicable Industries
- Automotive
- Electronics
Applicable Functions
- Product Research & Development
Use Cases
- Digital Twin
- Virtual Reality
Services
- System Integration
- Testing & Certification
About The Customer
The customer in this case study is Texas Instruments (TI), a renowned American technology company that designs and manufactures semiconductors and various integrated circuits, which it sells to electronics designers and manufacturers globally. TI is one of the top ten semiconductor companies worldwide, based on sales volume. TI's products are used in a wide range of applications, including digital signal processing and analog technologies, embedded processors, and software development tools. In this particular case, the focus is on TI’s InstaSPIN™ technology, a motor control technology that enables designers to identify, tune, and fully control any type of three-phase, variable speed, sensorless, synchronous or asynchronous motor control system.
The Challenge
Texas Instruments (TI) was faced with the challenge of characterizing their FAST™ observer, a part of their InstaSPIN™ technology. This technology enables designers to identify, tune, and fully control any type of three-phase, variable speed, sensorless, synchronous or asynchronous motor control system. The task was assigned to Dave Wilson, Senior Motor Systems Engineer with the C2000 group. Wilson attempted to characterize the FAST™ observer by setting up a dynamometer (dyno) system with a circuit board to control it. However, this process was slow, tedious, and required constant recalibration due to output variances over time and temperature changes. Furthermore, the electromagnetic torque could not be measured on the dyno, only the shaft torque could. This was a problem since the software could not be properly tested as the hardware he was using was not adequately equipped to test it.
The Solution
To overcome the challenge, Wilson turned to solidThinking Embed, a tool he had become familiar with four years prior. Embed provided him with a solution to create fast and accurate simulations of motor analog dynamics as well as the digital control. He was then able to automatically create C code from the controller portion of his graphical diagram, and download the code to run on the Piccolo target. Using the Embed JTAG Hotlink in a new synchronous mode, Wilson could run the motor simulation in lock step with the control running on the target in non real-time. This allowed him to verify controller operation against any motor configuration, no matter how big or small. It also allowed him to take part of the simulation and interface it to the FAST™ observer. He developed an Embed simulation of the entire system except for the FAST™ piece of code. He could now control any gains he liked. Different parameters like resistances, inductances, controller gains and voltage tolerances could now be controlled as well.
Operational Impact
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