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motorBench® Development Suite

The motorBench® Development Suite is a GUI-based software development tool for Field Oriented Control (FOC), performing accurate measurement of critical motor parameters, automatic tuning of feedback control gains and generating source code for an MPLAB® X IDE project, utilizing the Motor Control Application Framework (MCAF). This graphical, interactive development environment helps motor control embedded engineers save time in starting up and running new motors with no load or a constant load, especially when the motor parameters are unknown. The motorBench Development Suite is a Microchip Code Configurator (MCC) plug-in.

The user interface takes you step-by-step through the project, with context-sensitive help files at your fingertips inside the tool.

  • Measure and report the motor’s electrical and the system’s mechanical parameters
  • Quickly get stable Proportional Integral (PI) control loop gains for velocity and torque
  • See how the control loop gains affect the system through Bode plots
  • Generate code straight into an MPLAB X project to run the motor
  • Integrated help files guide through each step

MotorBench works in conjunction with our dsPICDEM™ MCLV-2 Development Board (DM330021-2) for low-voltage motors (up to 48 Volts and 10 Amps), and with our dsPICDEM™ MCHV-2 (DM330023-2) or dsPICDEM™ MCHV-3 (DM330023-2)  development boards for high-voltage motors (85–256 volts and 15 Amps), using the dsPIC33EP256MC506 External Op Amp Motor Control PIM (MA330031-2). Reference motors available from Microchip include the  Hurst 24V 3-Phase BLDC motor (AC300021), the Hurst 24V 3-Phase BLDC motor with encoder (AC300022), and the Leadshine 400W 220VAC Servo Motor (AC300025).

motorBench Development Suite v2.35 (MCAF R6) introduces the following major new features:

  • Flux (Field) Weakening
    • Extends the range of motor speed beyond the nominal speed at rated voltage
  • Maximum Torque Per Ampere (MTPA)
    • Increases maximum torque and efficiency from motors with rotor saliency (interior permanent-magnet motors) by utilizing reluctance torque
  • Adjustable PWM/Control Frequency
    • Now supports a range of ~5 to ~30 kHz
    • Supports slower-speed MOSFETs and IGBTs
  • Dead-Time Compensation
    • Supports slower motor speeds by compensating for dead-time distortion
  • Motion Control API
    • Provides a set of high-level interfaces that can be used by an application to control the motor and obtain feedback information from it
    • Includes support for application-level functions such as to start/stop the motor, set/get motor speed, and read and clear faults
  • Device Support Expansion
    • MCAF now supports the dsPIC33CK64MP105 and dsPIC33CK64MC105 for autotuning and code generation as well as the dsPIC33CK256MP508 and dsPIC33EP256MC506

Getting Started

Installation Instructions

  1. Download and install the latest version of MPLAB® X Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
  2. Download and install the latest version of MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC)
  3. Install the motorBench® Development Suite using the Versions panel in MCC

Registration Instructions

  1. Login into the myMicrochip account: http://www.microchip.com/rlmmigrationtool/mysoftware.aspx
  2. Click on "Registered Development Tools" In the left side panel.

3. Click on "Register MPLAB X IDE Plugins"

4. Select motorBench Development Suite in the dropdown for *Part Number (CPN)

5. This will register your plugin and allow you to use motorBench Development Suite, even after the trial period ends.

6. To view your registration at any point of time, you can click on "List of Plug-ins" at step 3. 

Motor Control Application Framework

This is our next-generation application firmware for motor control on dsPIC® DSC devices. The Motor Control Application Framework is integrated into the motorBench Development Suite and consists of files used to generate the code into the desired MPLAB X IDE project, including a Hardware Abstraction Layer.

For further information please download the Motor Control Application Framework User Guide and Motor Control Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) files.

Documentation for motorBench® Development Suite

Motor Control Application Framework User Guide

This is an HTML user guide for the Motor Control Application Framework that is included in the motorBench Development Suite plug-in. It will help with the understanding of the code that is generated by the plug-in.

Sample MPLAB® X IDE Projects for motorBench Development Suite 2.35

These sample MPLAB X IDE project files can be used with the motorBench Development Suite plug-in.

MCC Peripheral Configuration Guide for motorBench Usage

This document outlines the peripheral configuration in MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC) that are required for use with motorBench Development Suite. Sample projects for dsPICDEM™ MCHV-2 Development Board (MCHV-2) and dsPICDEM MCLV-2 Development Board (MCLV-2) are available, but this information allows you to utilize motorBench Development Suite without the sample projects.

Using MCLV-2 with motorBench Development Suite to Support Alternative Current and/or Voltage Ratings

Guidelines for using the dsPICDEM MCLV-2 Development Board with motorBench Development Suite when there are hardware modifications to alter current or voltage ratings

Range Limits of Motor Parameters and Metrics - MCLV-2

Analysis of the supported ranges of motor parameters for use in motorBench Development Suite with the dsPICDEM MCLV-2 Development Board

Range Limits of Motor Parameters and Metrics - MCHV-2 and MCHV-3

Analysis of the supported ranges of motor parameters for use in motorBench Development Suite with the dsPICDEM MCHV-2 and MCHV-3 Development Boards

Motor Self-Commissioning Description

Basic description of the motor self-commissioning that is performed by motorBench Development Suite.

Release Notes for motorBench Development Suite v2.35

This document contains information about new features, system requirements, installation, limitations, and known issues.

motorBench Development Suite v2.35 User's Guide

This document describes how to setup hardware, configure, and operate motorBench® Development Suite as well as aid in troubleshooting issues with motors.

Motor Control Application Framework User Guide

This is an HTML user guide for the Motor Control Application Framework that is included in the motorBench Development Suite plug-in. It will help with the understanding of the code that is generated by the plug-in.

Sample MPLAB® X Projects for motorBench Development Suite 2.25

Sample MPLAB X project files that may be used with the motorBench Development Suite plug-in

MCC Peripheral Configuration Guide for motorBench Usage

This document outlines the peripheral configuration in MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC) that are required for use with motorBench Development Suite. Sample projects for dsPICDEM™ MCHV-2 Development Board (MCHV-2) and dsPICDEM MCLV-2 Development Board (MCLV-2) are available, but this information allows you to utilize motorBench Development Suite without the sample projects.

Using MCLV-2 with motorBench Development Suite to Support Alternative Current and/or Voltage Ratings

Guidelines for using the dsPICDEM MCLV-2 Development Board with motorBench Development Suite when there are hardware modifications to alter current or voltage ratings

Range Limits of Motor Parameters and Metrics - MCLV-2

Analysis of the supported ranges of motor parameters for use in motorBench Development Suite with the dsPICDEM MCLV-2 Development Board

Range Limits of Motor Parameters and Metrics - MCHV-2 and MCHV-3

Analysis of the supported ranges of motor parameters for use in motorBench Development Suite with the dsPICDEM MCHV-2 and MCHV-3 Development Boards

Motor Self-Commissioning Description

Basic description of the motor self-commissioning that is performed by motorBench Development Suite.

Release Notes for motorBench Development Suite v2.25

This document contains information about new features, system requirements, installation, limitations, and known issues.

motorBench Development Suite v2.25 User's Guide

This document describes how to setup hardware, configure, and operate motorBench® Development Suite as well as aid in troubleshooting issues with motors.

Motor Control Application Framework User Guide

This is an HTML user guide for the Motor Control Application Framework that is included in the motorBench Development Suite plug-in. It will help with the understanding of the code that is generated by the plug-in.

Sample MPLAB® X Projects for motorBench Development Suite 2.15

Sample MPLAB X project files that may be used with the motorBench Development Suite plug-in

MCC Peripheral Configuration Guide for motorBench Usage

This document outlines the peripheral configuration in MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC) that are required for use with motorBench Development Suite. Sample projects for dsPICDEM™ MCHV-2 Development Board (MCHV-2) and dsPICDEM MCLV-2 Development Board (MCLV-2) are available, but this information allows you to utilize motorBench Development Suite without the sample projects.

Using MCLV-2 with motorBench Development Suite to Support Alternative Current and/or Voltage Ratings

Guidelines for using the dsPICDEM MCLV-2 Development Board with motorBench Development Suite when there are hardware modifications to alter current or voltage ratings

Range Limits of Motor Parameters and Metrics - MCLV-2

Analysis of the supported ranges of motor parameters for use in motorBench Development Suite with the dsPICDEM MCLV-2 Development Board

Range Limits of Motor Parameters and Metrics - MCHV-2 and MCHV-3

Analysis of the supported ranges of motor parameters for use in motorBench Development Suite with the dsPICDEM MCHV-2 and MCHV-3 Development Boards

Motor Self-Commissioning Description

Basic description of the motor self-commissioning that is performed by motorBench Development Suite.

Release Notes for motorBench Development Suite v2.15

This document contains information about new features, system requirements, installation, limitations, and known issues.

Motor Control Application Framework User Guide

This is an HTML user guide for the Motor Control Application Framework that is included in the motorBench Development Suite plug-in. It will help with the understanding of the code that is generated by the plug-in.

Sample MPLAB X Project for motorBench Development Suite for MCLV-2 / Sample MPLAB X Project for motorBench Development Suite for MCHV-2

Sample MPLAB X project files that may be used with the motorBench Development Suite plug-in

Using MCLV-2 with motorBench Development Suite to Support Alternative Current and/or Voltage Ratings

Guidelines for using the dsPICDEM MCLV-2 Development Board with motorBench Development Suite 2.0 when there are hardware modifications to alter current or voltage ratings

Range Limits of Motor Parameters and Metrics - MCLV-2

Analysis of the supported ranges of motor parameters for use in motorBench Development Suite 2.0 with the dsPICDEM MCLV-2 Development Board.

Range Limits of Motor Parameters and Metrics - MCHV-2 and MCHV-3

Analysis of the supported ranges of motor parameters for use in motorBench Development Suite 2.0 with the dsPICDEM MCHV-2 and MCHV-3 Development Boards

Motor Self-Commissioning Description

Basic description of the motor self-commissioning that is performed by motorBench Development Suite

Release Notes for motorBench Development Suite v2.0

This document contains information about system requirements, installation, hardware setup, limitations, operation instructions and known issues.

Motor Control Application Framework User Guide

This is an HTML user guide for the Motor Control Application Framework that is included in the motorBench Development Suite plug-in. It will help with the understanding of the code that is generated by the plug-in.

Comparison and Analysis of AN1292 and MCAF

In this document the code that is generated by motorBench Development Suite plug-in using the Motor Control Application Framework is compared with the code that is available for application note AN1292.

Motor Control Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL)

Basic description of the HAL that is used in the code generated by motorBench Development Suite

Motor Self Commissioning Description

Basic description of the motor self commissioning that is performed by motorBench Development Suite

Sample MPLAB X Project for motorBench Development Suite

Sample MPLAB X project file that should be opened before starting motorBench Development Suite plug-in

Release Notes for motorBench Development Suite v. 1.15

This document contains information about system requirements, installation, hardware setup, limitations, operation instructions and known issues.

Title

motorBench® Development Suite Demo

motorBench® Development Suite Demo

Free MotorBench plug-in for MPLAB® X IDE

Free MotorBench plug-in for MPLAB® X IDE

Getting Started with motorBench® Development Suite v2.25

Getting Started with motorBench® Development Suite v2.25

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