Book recommendations about PWM motor control

Hello,

I'm looking for a good book on the topic of motor control with
microcontrollers, with emphasis on PWM algorithms. I'm interested more
in the PWM side of things than in control theory (PID), as the motor I
need to control is an AC motor that only has to be speed-controlled
(it's a big ventilation fan). From searching the net it appears that
this is a topic with a lot of ad-hoc solutions, so I would really love
to hear recommendations of books and/or good online resources for
learning the topic.

Thanks in advance,
R

richard.melikson@gmail.com wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> I'm looking for a good book on the topic of motor control with
> microcontrollers, with emphasis on PWM algorithms. I'm interested more
> in the PWM side of things than in control theory (PID), as the motor I
> need to control is an AC motor that only has to be speed-controlled
> (it's a big ventilation fan). From searching the net it appears that
> this is a topic with a lot of ad-hoc solutions, so I would really love
> to hear recommendations of books and/or good online resources for
> learning the topic.
> 
> Thanks in advance,
> R
> 
In addition to looking for books, you may want to look for white papers 
on the web sites of microcontroller manufacturers.  ADI, TI, and 
Freescale all make DSP chips with 3-phase PWM outputs that are optimized 
for driving motors -- you should find interesting material there.

If this is for a one-off application, you may find that you'll do better 
finding an off-the-shelf variable frequency drive rather than 
reinventing the wheel.

-- 

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Do you need to implement control loops in software?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" gives you just what it says.
See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html

> I'm looking for a good book on the topic of motor control with
> microcontrollers, with emphasis on PWM algorithms. I'm interested more
> in the PWM side of things than in control theory (PID), as the motor I
> need to control is an AC motor that only has to be speed-controlled
> (it's a big ventilation fan).

I don't think there is such thing as PWM algorithm - there might be PID 
algortithm with PWM output I guess.
Anyway I belive you will not get away from PID in this case especially 
if it's big fan with long response time and inertion. You just won't be 
able to run it at constant speed either using PWM or by other means. 
Anyway coding PID is not a rocket science should give it a try.

Tim Wescott wrote:
> richard.melikson@gmail.com wrote:
> 
>> Hello,
>>
>> I'm looking for a good book on the topic of motor control with
>> microcontrollers, with emphasis on PWM algorithms. I'm interested more
>> in the PWM side of things than in control theory (PID), as the motor I
>> need to control is an AC motor that only has to be speed-controlled
>> (it's a big ventilation fan).

So you are designing a Full 3 Phase AC Motor (variable Freq/Variabe 
Voltage) controller, or something a little simpler ?

>> From searching the net it appears that
>> this is a topic with a lot of ad-hoc solutions, so I would really love
>> to hear recommendations of books and/or good online resources for
>> learning the topic.
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>> R
>>
> In addition to looking for books, you may want to look for white papers 
> on the web sites of microcontroller manufacturers.  ADI, TI, and 
> Freescale all make DSP chips with 3-phase PWM outputs that are optimized 
> for driving motors -- you should find interesting material there.

Good suggestion - Also look at Infineon, they have some 8 bit uC with
Motor control extensions, which may be all you need for a Fan Speed control.

-jg

 richard.melikson@gmail.com wrote:

> Hello,
> 
> I'm looking for a good book on the topic of motor control with
> microcontrollers, with emphasis on PWM algorithms. I'm interested more
> in the PWM side of things than in control theory (PID), as the motor I
> need to control is an AC motor that only has to be speed-controlled
> (it's a big ventilation fan). From searching the net it appears that
> this is a topic with a lot of ad-hoc solutions, so I would really love
> to hear recommendations of books and/or good online resources for
> learning the topic.

If book you feel you need then I suggest:-

  "Electrical Drives and Their Controls" by Richard M. Crowder
      Oxford Science Publications; ISBN 0-19-856565-8
 
Tim Wescott's suggestion of also searching out the white papers and
application notes of device manufacturers is also a good one.

Try these ones:-

 <http://www.ibiblio.org/obp/electricCircuits/AC/AC_10.html>
 <http://www.analog.com/en/app/0,3174,999%255F1114,00.html>
 <http://www.freescale.com/files/dsp/doc/app_note/AN1958.pdf>

-- 
********************************************************************
Paul E. Bennett...............<email://Paul_E.Bennett@topmail.co.uk>
Forth based HIDECS Consultancy
Mob: +44 (0)7811-639972
Tel: +44 (0)1235-811095
Going Forth Safely ..... EBA. www.electric-boat-association.org.uk..
********************************************************************

Tim Wescott wrote:
> DJ wrote:
>>
>>> I'm looking for a good book on the topic of motor control with
>>> microcontrollers, with emphasis on PWM algorithms. I'm interested more
>>> in the PWM side of things than in control theory (PID), as the motor I
>>> need to control is an AC motor that only has to be speed-controlled
>>> (it's a big ventilation fan).
>>
>> I don't think there is such thing as PWM algorithm - there might be 
>> PID algortithm with PWM output I guess.
>> Anyway I belive you will not get away from PID in this case especially 
>> if it's big fan with long response time and inertion. You just won't 
>> be able to run it at constant speed either using PWM or by other 
>> means. Anyway coding PID is not a rocket science should give it a try.
> 
> Whether you need a PID controller depends on what you're trying to do. 
> An induction machine will give you about 500 RPM of slip; if you only 
> need to be that close then you don't need the PID controller.

%oo 5pm at what frequency? How many poles?

Jerry
-- 
Engineering is the art of making what you want from things you can get.
�����������������������������������������������������������������������

DJ wrote:
> 
>> I'm looking for a good book on the topic of motor control with
>> microcontrollers, with emphasis on PWM algorithms. I'm interested more
>> in the PWM side of things than in control theory (PID), as the motor I
>> need to control is an AC motor that only has to be speed-controlled
>> (it's a big ventilation fan).
> 
> I don't think there is such thing as PWM algorithm - there might be PID 
> algortithm with PWM output I guess.
> Anyway I belive you will not get away from PID in this case especially 
> if it's big fan with long response time and inertion. You just won't be 
> able to run it at constant speed either using PWM or by other means. 
> Anyway coding PID is not a rocket science should give it a try.

Whether you need a PID controller depends on what you're trying to do. 
An induction machine will give you about 500 RPM of slip; if you only 
need to be that close then you don't need the PID controller.

-- 

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Do you need to implement control loops in software?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" gives you just what it says.
See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html

Jerry Avins wrote:

   ...

> %oo 5pm at what frequency? How many poles?
   ^Capital '5'. :-)

Jerry
-- 
Engineering is the art of making what you want from things you can get.
�����������������������������������������������������������������������

Jerry Avins wrote:
> Tim Wescott wrote:
>> DJ wrote:
>>>
>>>> I'm looking for a good book on the topic of motor control with
>>>> microcontrollers, with emphasis on PWM algorithms. I'm interested more
>>>> in the PWM side of things than in control theory (PID), as the motor I
>>>> need to control is an AC motor that only has to be speed-controlled
>>>> (it's a big ventilation fan).
>>>
>>> I don't think there is such thing as PWM algorithm - there might be 
>>> PID algortithm with PWM output I guess.
>>> Anyway I belive you will not get away from PID in this case 
>>> especially if it's big fan with long response time and inertion. You 
>>> just won't be able to run it at constant speed either using PWM or by 
>>> other means. Anyway coding PID is not a rocket science should give it 
>>> a try.
>>
>> Whether you need a PID controller depends on what you're trying to do. 
>> An induction machine will give you about 500 RPM of slip; if you only 
>> need to be that close then you don't need the PID controller.
> 
> %oo 5pm at what frequency? How many poles?
> 
I was thinking someone was going to ding me on pole count when I wrote that.

"About" 500RPM.  So, anything from 0 to 750, or more.  That should cover 
any number of poles.

-- 

Tim Wescott
Wescott Design Services
http://www.wescottdesign.com

Do you need to implement control loops in software?
"Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" gives you just what it says.
See details at http://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html

On Nov 5, 7:49 pm, richard.melik...@gmail.com wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I'm looking for a good book on the topic of motor control with
> microcontrollers, with emphasis on PWM algorithms. I'm interested more
> in the PWM side of things than in control theory (PID), as the motor I
> need to control is an AC motor that only has to be speed-controlled
> (it's a big ventilation fan). From searching the net it appears that
> this is a topic with a lot of ad-hoc solutions, so I would really love
> to hear recommendations of books and/or good online resources for
> learning the topic.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> R

For the PWM side of things check for SPRA524 application note on TI's
site

Regarda

Mitja