Advancing real-time control systems
Build smaller, more reliable real-time control systems with our extensive portfolio of sensing, processing, control and communication technologies
Pack more performance and power into every closed-loop system
In applications where fractions of a second can make or break system stability, we enable the sensing, processing, control and communication necessary to implement and optimize real-time control. Through decades of expertise and leading-edge technology, we empower designers to reduce the size, complexity and cost of their systems by helping them achieve the highest reliability, efficiency and performance possible.
What is real-time control and why do you need it?
Every day, people interact with systems that assess their surroundings and act accordingly; where those systems are implementing what’s known as “real-time control.” In this article, we explain the functional blocks of a real-time control system and provide an example of a robotics application.
Why real-time control matters
Fast response time
Enable just in time system control without sacrificing precision and accuracy.
High power density
Pack more power into smaller spaces to enhance system functionality.
Higher efficiency
Achieve higher motor and actuator performance and power output at a lower cost.
Safer and more reliable systems
Create safer systems through high system reliability and accuracy.
Learn more about the functional blocks of a real-time control system
3 tips to optimize data reliability with sensors in real-time control systems
In this article, we take a closer look at the first functional block of real-time control systems – sensing – and discuss how to optimize data capture for real-time control systems by paying attention to certain sensor parameters.
How processing in real-time drives high-performance power systems
This article demonstrates the value of processing through the lens of high-performance power systems, and dispels misconceptions about the role of processing in real-time control systems.
How to achieve efficient, reliable and accurate actuation in real-time motor control systems
This article discusses the actuation stage of real-time control, and why it is important for reliable system output operation, using examples from motor drive-applications.
How IT/OT convergence in real-time control and communications is advancing industrial automation
This article examines the communication stage of a real-time control system, and uses Industry 4.0 as the basis of the discussion.
Discover featured applications
Reach the highest energy class IES2 per IEC 61800-9 and 1us lowest latency current loops with our real-time control technology.
Enable low-latency, low-jitter and high-precision motor position and speed control.
- MCUs with integrated real-time control peripherals and accelerators and programmable PRU-ICSS and configurable logic blocks enable less than 1us current control loop latency and low jitter communication.
- Highest precision, isolated data converters enable current and voltage sensing at better than 0.1% accuracy over a wide operating temperature range.
- Motor drivers enable real time monitoring of speed, motor current, rotor angle, DC bus voltage/current; and control of speed and torque of BLDC motors.
Featured resources
- TIDM-02007 – Dual-axis motor drive using fast current loop (FCL) and SFRA on a single MCU reference design
- TIDEP0057 – Multi-Protocol Digital Position Encoder Master Interface Reference Design With AM437x on PRU-ICSS
Achieve greater than 99% efficiency at 5kW with real-time control
Increasing power levels and 80Plus Titanium specifications in data center CPUs, open center compute projects and server rack PSUs are driving higher efficiency and power density needs. With our real-time control MCUs and GaN technology in a totem-pole PFC topology, reach >99% energy efficiency at 5kW while operating at up to 800kHz frequency.
Featured resources
- PMP23069 – 3-kW, 180-W/in3 single-phase totem-pole bridgeless PFC reference design with 16-A max input
- PMP23126 – 3-kW phase-shifted full bridge with active clamp reference design with > 270-W/in3 power density
- PMP40988 – Variable-frequency, ZVS, 5-kW, GaN-based, two-phase totem-pole PFC reference design
- Thermal Performance of QFN12x12 Package for 600V, GaN Power Stage (Rev. A) – Application note
- Current Mode Control in Switching Power Supplies (Rev. E) – Application brief
Achieve safe and precise multi-axis motion control with best-in-class, real-time communication and control.
As robots automate factories, automotive, medical, shipping warehouses and agriculture, systems require scalability to save cost, integrated safety and fast response times. Our broad portfolio of microcontrollers and processors enable scalable architectures of different payloads and multi-axis motor and motion control paramount to time-critical industrial applications.
Featured resources
Gain high power density and efficiency through our precise, real-time control when digitally converting power from AC to DC and DC to DC.
Design highly-efficient and power dense digital power stages with real-time controllers:
- Scalable number of pulse width modulation (PWM) and memory sizes to support different topologies.
- 150ps high resolution PWMs that unlock GaN/SiC potential.
- Configurable logic block (CLB) for simplified protection scheme.
Featured resources
- TIDA-01606 – 10-kW, bidirectional three-phase three-level (T-type) inverter and PFC reference design
- TIDA-010210 – 11-kW, bidirectional, three-phase ANPC based on GaN reference design
Achieve high-efficiency motor control and power conversion to enable lower operating costs, lower environmental impact and improved comfort levels in appliances.
Design closed loop motor control algorithms with real-time motor control to provide the highest efficiency and best acoustic performance, which is critical for home appliances:
- C2000 real-time microcontrollers maximize motor and power efficiency, system cost and improve reliability.
- Integrated brushless-DC (BLDC) driver with sensorless FOC control enables quiet and efficient motor operations.
Featured resources
- TIDM-02010 – Dual motor control with digital interleaved PFC for HVAC reference design