Complete Kits Demonstrate World's First Real-Time Integrated Motion Control
Using the ARM(R) Architecture for Multi-Billion Dollar Motion-Control
Industry
AUSTIN, Texas, April 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Luminary Micro
(http://www.luminarymicro.com), a fabless semiconductor company that
designs, markets, and sells award-winning ARM(R) Cortex(TM)-M3
processor-based microcontrollers and was the first to bring ARM
processor-based MCUs for $1.00 to embedded developers, announced today the
availability of two new Reference Design Kits (RDKs) utilizing the
company's Stellaris(R) microcontrollers (MCUs) designed specifically for
motion control applications such as those found in HVAC systems, industrial
conveyer systems, liquid pumps, printers, robots, and CNC and other milling
machines. The two kits demonstrate variable speed AC induction motor
control and stepper motor control, and complement the recent launch of five
new Stellaris MCUs featuring powerful motion control functionality. These
new parts represent the first time that real-time motion control has been
integrated into an ARM-based MCU. Together with the new reference design
kits, the new MCUs ease the complexity of motion control designs for OEMs
and slash the associated time-to-market and software development costs.
The power subsystem for each motion control design features power
semiconductors from Fairchild Semiconductor. The reference design kits are
available now from Luminary Micro (http://www.luminarymicro.com/sales).
"The motion control industry is a 'nearly invisible' industry, in that
it is ubiquitous in everyday applications but nearly unseen. While many
recognize that power and control must come together for the basic functions
of motor control, the complexity of optimizing those functions together is
often underestimated," said Luminary Chief Marketing Officer Jean Anne
Booth. "So while the market potential is great, the challenges facing
motion control OEMs are even greater: energy efficiency, complexity of
applications, time-to-market, and software development costs. Bringing an
ARM architecture to the motion control industry, and particularly the
Stellaris implementations of the Cortex-M3 architecture, addresses not just
one of these challenges, but all of them. For this reason, Stellaris is
rapidly becoming the MCU of choice for motion control OEMs."
Reference Design Kit for AC Induction Motors (RDK-ACIM)
AC induction motors are widely used in appliance and residential
applications, in what the industry traditionally refers to as "white
goods." The reliability and simplicity of AC motors also makes them popular
in industrial applications, such as residential and light commercial HVAC.
Stellaris microcontrollers enable advanced variable speed control that
improves efficiency and enables new areas of application. The RDK-ACIM
design features a Stellaris LM3S818 microcontroller and drives three-phase
AC induction motors up to 1 HP (750 W), and can scale for motors up to 10
HP.
Consumer preference and governmental mandates for energy efficiency are
driving the need for more computationally complex control algorithms for
variable speed AC induction motors. The space vector modulation implemented
in the AC induction motor reference design increases motor efficiency to
nearly 100%, thereby consuming significantly less power.
"Reducing energy consumption has become a global concern, with the
United States and China as the largest consumers of energy in the world,"
added Luminary's Booth. "More than half of the worldwide electrical output
is used to generate motion, and with overall consumption projected to
increase dramatically over the next two decades, designing with an
energy-efficient, fully integrated MCU with an ARM core, combined with
energy management, appeals to OEMs struggling to meet government mandates
for energy efficiency improvements."
Stepper Motor Control Reference Design Kit (RDK-Stepper)
Stepper motors are widely used in printers, scanners, and automation
applications. One of the few classes of motor that features high starting
torque and precise motion without the aid of sensors, the stepper motor's
unique capabilities have established it as the motor of choice in countless
electronic and automation products. The RDK-Stepper demonstrates advanced
control of bipolar stepper motors using the Stellaris LM3S617
microcontroller and Fairchild power semiconductors. Its primary application
is driving NEMA17, NEMA23, and NEMA34 stepper motors rated at up to 80 V at
3 Amps.
Stepper motors are usually controlled either by a dedicated control
chip that lacks programmable intelligence, or by a microcontroller, such as
Stellaris, that uses a basic unipolar scheme. Luminary Micro's stepper
motor reference design performs direct high-performance software-based
chopper control using the Cortex-M3 microprocessor, enabling the designer
to add additional software features without compromising motor performance.
Everything Designers Need to Move from Evaluation to Fully Integrated
Solution
Both the RDK-ACIM and the RDK-Stepper feature everything needed to
evaluate and develop motor control designs. Both kits include the main
control circuit board, graphical control program for Windows(TM), power and
USB cables, quick start guide, software source code, schematics, BOM, and
Gerber files. The AC Induction Motor reference design includes an
Inverter-Duty 1/4 HP 3-phase AC Motor (0-5400 RPM). The Stepper Motor
reference design kit includes a NEMA23 Stepper Motor. Both kits ship with
multiple motion control algorithms loaded into flash, enabling engineers to
evaluate motor and system performance through the graphical user interface
(GUI) within 10 minutes of opening the box. The GUI allows designers to
configure motor capabilities and safety parameters, test controls and
effects, and to understand tradeoffs in the end motor system design. The
GUI also allows users to monitor system statistics easily, with visual
indicators showing processor performance, bus voltage, and motor currents.
The Motion Control Story Featuring Luminary Micro and Stellaris
The five new Stellaris family members were announced in February 2007
at the Embedded World trade show in Nuremberg, Germany, and have been
optimized to support the complex algorithms necessary for efficient
energy-saving motion control applications. The MCUs are referenced by part
numbers LM3S317, LM3S617, LM3S618, LM3S817, and LM3S818. As with all
Stellaris family members, these MCUs are based on the ARM Cortex-M3
processor -- the microcontroller member of the ARM Cortex processor family.
Designed for serious microcontroller applications, the Stellaris family
provides entry into the industry's strongest ecosystem, with code
compatibility ranging from $1 to 1 GHz. Additional advantages include:
-- Easy and cost-effective to upgrade from 8- and 16-bit applications,
requiring less flash code space and delivering a 10x improvement in
performance over 8051 cores and an 8x improvement in performance over
PIC24F cores;
-- Extensions to the ARM7(TM) family processor capabilities in critical
MCU applications with a 4x improvement in control processing
performance, real-time interrupt response capability, and predictable
deterministic interrupt behavior, while requiring just half the flash
(code space) of ARM7 control applications;
-- Greater than 50 MIPS with a demonstrable 20x performance roadmap in the
Cortex processor family, allowing for a "no-worry" migration path; and
-- Best-in-industry development environment and debug tools.
The collaboration with Fairchild Semiconductor brings Fairchild's Power
Franchise(R) to each reference design kit. Long recognized as a world
leader in high performance semiconductors, Fairchild specializes in
products that optimize system power and that are ideal for the energy
restrictions that challenge OEMs when developing today's motor
applications.
For detailed information on the features of each Stellaris family
member, see http://www.luminarymicro.com/product_selector_guide.
Pricing and Availability
Part Number Price, single unit through distribution
Reference Design Kit for AC
Induction Motors (RDK-ACIM) $379
Reference Design Kit for
Stepper Motors (RDK-Stepper) $199
The new Stellaris MCUs sell separately for less than $5.30 in 10K
quantities through distribution. They and all other Stellaris MCUs, and
their respective development kits, are available now through Luminary
Micro's global sales channel (http://www.luminarymicro.com/sales).
About Luminary Micro and Stellaris
Luminary Micro, Inc. designs, markets and sells ARM Cortex-M3-based
microcontrollers (MCUs). Austin, Texas-based Luminary Micro is the lead
partner for the Cortex-M3 processor, delivering the world's first silicon
implementation of the Cortex-M3 processor. Luminary Micro's introduction of
the award-winning Stellaris(R) family of products provides 32-bit
performance for the same price as current 8- and 16-bit microcontroller
designs. With entry-level pricing at $1.00 for an ARM technology-based MCU,
Luminary Micro's Stellaris product line allows for standardization that
eliminates future architectural upgrades or software tools changes. Contact
the company at +1-512-279-8800 or email press@luminarymicro.com for more
information.
Stellaris is a registered trademark and the Luminary Micro logo is a
trademark of Luminary Micro, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and
other countries. All other products are trademarks of their respective
owners.
Company Contact: Media Contact:
Jean Anne Booth Karen Johnson
CMO 512.632.9636 mobile
512.917.3088 mobile 512.858.9598 office
512.279.8801 office Karen@karenjohnson.biz
JeanAnne.Booth@luminarymicro.com
SOURCE Luminary Micro, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.luminarymicro.com
http://www.embedded.com/esc/sv
http://www.luminarymicro.com/sales
http://www.luminarymicro.com/product_selector_guide/
CONTACT:
Company, Jean Anne Booth, CMO of Luminary
Micro, Inc., +1-512-279-8801, mobile, +1-512-917-3088,
JeanAnne.Booth@luminarymicro.com, or Media, Karen Johnson,
+1-512-858-9598, mobile, +1-512-632-9636, Karen@karenjohnson.biz,
for Luminary Micro, Inc.
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