SPRADE6 October   2023 AM2634

 

  1.   1
  2.   Abstract
  3. 1Introduction
  4. 2Floating-Point Unit
  5. 3Trigonometric Math Unit
  6. 4Control Law Accelerator
  7. 5Viterbi, Complex Math, and CRC Unit
  8. 6Industrial Communication Subsystem
  9. 7Discover the Best MCU for Real-Time Control Needs

1 Introduction

Real-time control systems serve as the nerve centers for numerous critical applications. These systems orchestrate a delicate balance of sensing, processing, and actuating, and their significance cannot be overstated.

Consider the traction inverter in an electric vehicle. The primary function of the inverter is to convert the DC power of the battery into the three-phase AC power on which motors rely. In this context, every millisecond is crucial. The inverter consistently adjusts to variables like road conditions, load demands, and driver inputs, providing a smooth and energy-efficient drive. Similarly, an industrial robot is programmed for precision in repetitive tasks. Whether it is the angle of rotation or the force applied, speed and accuracy are paramount. Even a minor deviation can lead to defective products. Thanks to real-time control systems, motors in both robots and vehicles operate safely and seamlessly around the clock.


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Figure 1-1 Primary Functional Blocks of a Real-Time Control Loop

Every real-time control system encompasses:

  1. Sensing: Devices consistently capture real-time data, from temperature sensors in EV batteries to position sensors in robotic arms.
  2. Processing: Sophisticated algorithms interpret this raw data. Speed and accuracy in this phase are crucial, given the real-time demands.
  3. Actuation: The system receives commands, resulting in tangible actions based on the processed data.

In designing real-time control systems—whether for multi-axis drives, industrial robots, electric vehicles, or solar inverters—the primary objective is to minimize latency to optimize performance. High-performance microcontrollers, equipped with specialized hardware accelerators, make this possible. These accelerators are specifically designed for the efficient processing of complex control algorithms. The following sections focus on the processing phase of a real-time control loop, discussing algorithm development and the role of hardware accelerators in minimizing system latency. The paper concludes with a review of the standout MCU product series TI has created for these applications.