SLOSE98A December 2022 – September 2023 DRV8461
PRODUCTION DATA
Table 7-25 lists the registers associated with current control.
Parameter | Description |
---|---|
ATQ_UL[7:0] ATQ_LL[7:0] | Upper and lower boundaries of the hysteretic band within which ATQ_CNT is controlled by modifying the motor current. |
ATQ_TRQ_MIN[7:0] ATQ_TRQ_MAX[7:0] | Programmable minimum and maximum current limit when auto-torque is enabled. |
ATQ_TRQ_DAC[7:0] | Outputs the value of motor current when auto-torque is enabled. ATQ_TRQ_DAC can vary between ATQ_TRQ_MIN and ATQ_TRQ_MAX. |
CNT_OFLW | The CNT_OFLW flag becomes 1b if ATQ_CNT is more than ATQ_UL. |
CNT_UFLW | the CNT_UFLW flag becomes 1b if ATQ_CNT is less than ATQ_LL. |
The ATQ_CNT parameter is proportional to the load torque and inversely proportional to the current setting of the stepper driver. An idealized representation of this relation is shown in Figure 7-29 -
The auto-torque algorithm confines the ATQ_CNT within the hysteretic band defined by the user programmable ATQ_UL and ATQ_LL parameters, by modulating the motor current, as shown in Figure 7-29.
If load torque demand increases (T1 to T2), the ATQ_CNT goes above the ATQ_UL threshold, and in response, the algorithm brings the ATQ_CNT within the band by increasing the current (I3 to I4).
When load torque demand drops (T2 to T1) and ATQ_CNT goes below ATQ_LL, the algorithm reduces the current to bring the ATQ_CNT within the hysteretic band (I5 to I4).
The following methodology explains how user should select the values of the current control parameters -
ATQ_TRQ_MIN is the minimum motor current needed to support the minimum load torque applied to the motor. To find this parameter -
Load the motor with minimum load torque (TMIN) and drive the motor with full-scale current (IFS)
Set ATQ_UL and ATQ_LL to zero and set KP as 1
Reduce current till the motor stalls
Note the current (IA) at which the motor stalls
Set ATQ_TRQ_MIN = 1.1 x IA
To find ATQ_TRQ_MAX -
With the motor current at IA, load the motor with maximum load torque (TMAX). The motor will get stalled.
Start increasing the motor current
Note the current (IB) at which the motor comes out of stall
Set ATQ_TRQ_MAX = 1.1 x IB
Note the ATQ_CNT (AMAX) with current at ATQ_TRQ_MAX and load torque at TMAX.
For the ATQ_UL -
Set an initial value of 0.5 x AMAX.
Apply the load profile (peak load and idle load) specific to the application.
If the motor stalls, decrease the value ATQ_UL till the motor is no longer stalled.
If the motor does not stall after applying the load profile, ATQ_UL can be increased till the motor stalls.
Higher value of ATQ_UL saves more power at peak load, but in case of a fast load transient, the motor can stall.
Lower value of ATQ_UL reduces the power saving at peak load, but also reduces the chances of motor stall and step loss.
For most applications, a difference of 2 between ATQ_UL and ATQ_LL is a good starting point.
VM_SCALE bit should be made 1b only after ATQ_UL and ATQ_LL have been set by the user.
The flowchart for selecting ATQ_UL, ATQ_LL, ATQ_TRQ_MAX and ATQ_TRQ_MIN parameters is shown below.