This compact solution offers high-precision position and speed control, integrating the advanced motor controller for seamless FOC.
The EVALKIT-ROBOT-1 is a comprehensive reference design for a servo brushless solution. It offers a complete package for those looking to implement high-precision position and speed control in their applications. Central to this design is the STSPIN32F0A, an advanced 3-phase motor controller that integrates a Cortex-M0 microcontroller. This microcontroller executes Field-Oriented Control (FOC) with closed-loop positioning, ensuring accurate and responsive control of the motor. The reference design offers a complete solution for high-precision motor control, combining a powerful and integrated control board with a high-performance motor and encoder. This design is well-suited for applications requiring reliable and accurate positioning and speed control.
The reference designs by ST Microelectronics power stage can handle up to 36V and 6A peak, providing ample power for a wide range of applications. The inclusion of STL7DN6LF3 Dual N-channel MOSFETs, rated at 60V and 35mΩ, further enhances the design’s power handling capabilities. Additionally, the board incorporates hall sensors and implements current sensing and overcurrent protection, ensuring safe and reliable operation. The motor chosen for this reference design is the Maxon EC-i 40, a 100W 3-phase brushless DC motor known for its high torque density and low cogging torque. When paired with the Maxon ENX 16 EASY 1024-pulse incremental encoder, this motor provides exceptional accuracy and robustness, making it an excellent choice for demanding positioning and speed control tasks.
Communication with the control board is made easy through the RS-485 interface, using the MODBUS protocol, allowing for seamless integration into a variety of systems. The compact footprint of the board, measuring just 40mm x 40mm, makes it suitable for applications where space is a premium. The firmware, a key component of this design, provides an example implementation of positioning control based on the FOC library. This firmware is compatible with several toolchains, including IAR Embedded Workbench, and KEIL-ARM µVision but also supports MODBUS RTU communication, ensuring seamless integration with existing systems, a testament to the flexibility of our design.
STMicroelectronics has tested this reference design, which comes with a Bill of Material (BOM), schematics, and other data. The company’s website has additional data about the reference design. To read more about this reference design, click here.
