Motion Controller Information
Motion Controller - Microcontrollers (cont.)
Additional motion controller features in such microcontrollers include special facilities for both rapidly sensing signal levels on input lines, and for generating trigger signals to start external peripherals. These features are aimed at timing mechanical peripherals such as rotating machinery and for sensing signals generated by transducers such as limit switches. Additional capabilities of this type of motion controller typically include dedicated PWM outputs, watchdog timers, and high-resolution (on the order of 10-bit) analog/digital converters.
Microcontrollers now commonly built into motion controller applications, which include 8096, 8051, and 68HC11-type devices. These motion controllers work with either 8 or 16-bit data paths at clock rates as high as 12 MHz. The throughput and bandwidth that they provide is considered adequate for the majority of simple motion controller applications. However, newer and faster 32-bit motion controllers are aimed specifically at handling high-end needs.
The 32-bit motion controller parts are designed for these applications often contain scaled-down computing circuits used in general-purpose 32-bit microprocessors. Keys to high performance motion controllers generally include multimegabyte address space, 32-bit data handling, clock rates on the order of 16 MHz or more, and special instruction sets. Such motion controllers directly address large memories and run lengthy programs. A motion controller in this category will include both 80960 and 80376.
Other features put in such devices and on peripheral chips include direct memory-access (DMA) channels, interrupt controllers, and programmable interval timers. Motion Controller applications are typically those that demand numerous calculations or image recognition. Motion Controller Examples include items such as a robotic arm control or array processing.
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Motion Controller: Basics of Motion Controller Design Engineering
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