QPT’s MicroDyno take a look at platform demos how GaN know-how can enhance the efficiency of cobot motors. | Credit score: QPT
QPT has launched MicroDyno, a low-voltage motor drive take a look at platform that demonstrates the efficiency of ultra-high frequency GaN-based motor drives. The platform is designed to supply improved management and effectivity whereas decreasing system complexity and value, with purposes within the rising collaborative robotic (cobot) market.
Working at 1 MHz switching speeds, MicroDyno integrates a compact filter to ship a real sine wave voltage to motors. Whereas QPT‘s IP scales as much as excessive energy, this low-voltage platform will likely be used to indicate the way it can remodel the efficiency of cobots and basic robotics via the dynamic correction of torque cogging and torque ripple, and high-fidelity sensing inside the drive. All of that is achieved with out costly exterior sensors or encoders to each considerably cut back the prices of those programs while additionally vastly enhancing the efficiency over customary PWM-based programs.
Most present robotic drives function at 4–16 kHz PWM frequencies, shaping present right into a sine wave however leaving the voltage on the motor as excessive dv/dt PWM. Some specialist programs attain 100 kHz, however these face electromagnetic challenges and are nonetheless too low frequency to allow small, cost-effective filtering required for true sine voltage output and EMI filtering.
By extracting the utmost efficiency from GaN transistors, it is ready to working at round 100x the usual frequency which permits a really small, low cost output filter, producing a clear sine voltage instantly on the motor terminals with a particularly excessive signal-to-noise ratio. This additionally eliminates EMI, reduces bearing currents, permits “sensing with out sensors”, and permits the usage of unshielded cables or a totally built-in motor drive — a transformative shift for robotics integration.
Dynamic torque ripple and cogging correction: Actual-time compensation utilizing QPT’s built-in qSense know-how, detecting voltage and present disturbances within the time and frequency domains because of the excessive signal-to-noise ratio of a sine wave drive.
qControl permits 14-bit decision at 1MHz PWM converter frequency, enabling the high-precision sinewaves. The picture exhibits the heart beat width being managed in 40 picosecond steps. | Credit score: QPT
Precision and smoothness: QPT’s qControl know-how is able to producing the 1MHz indicators with picosecond accuracy. The tiny filters ship true sine voltage enabling cleaner management indicators, delivering smoother movement vital for delicate meeting and medical robotics.
Excessive-fidelity sensorless diagnostics: Clear sine wave output helps superior torque and vibration monitoring for superior sensing and predictive upkeep. The motor drive can detect and report on the reason for any vibrations within the system, all with out the necessity for costly exterior sensors.
Compact, light-weight integration: 1 MHz switching reduces filter and drive measurement, enabling the motor drives to be absolutely built-in with the motors within the robotic joints.
Decrease system and improvement prices: With the built-in filters, costly shielded cabling will not be required. EMC can be a lot easier, motor life is prolonged, costly encoders and sensors may be eliminated, and far increased efficiency may be achieved from cheaper motors.
AI enabled for next-generation designs: MicroDyno lays the inspiration for native AI processing to enhance the efficiency of every motor, and a cloud-based resolution to watch and optimize throughout a fleet of electrical motor programs, akin to a complete manufacturing line of machine instruments or robots.
MicroDyno demonstrates QPT’s structure at 48V for robotics and cobots, however the underlying know-how is absolutely scalable. Utilizing QPT’s proprietary qAttach packaging, the identical high-frequency sine-wave benefits prolong to 400V and 800V programs. The sine wave output additionally unlocks the flexibility for the design of multiphase modules that can be utilized in parallel to succeed in megawatt ranges of energy with a a lot smaller vary of modules for motor drive OEMs to deal with.
