Real-Time Operation for High-Precision AC Servo Applications

Renesas Electronics today announced a new solution package for its RZ/T1 Group of microprocessors (MPUs) supporting HIPERFACE DSL® digital encoder interface for ac servo applications. The support of HIPERFACE DSL for RZ/T1 reduces the customer's system bill-of-materials (BOM) cost and enables faster time-to-market.

The RZ/T1 Group includes the Arm® Cortex®-R4 processor with a dual precision floating-point unit (FPU) operating at up to 600MHz, and provides: real-time processing, tightly-coupled memory, high-speed analog to support dual servo motors, and network connectivity for distributed motion that matches the needs of precise ac servo drive applications.

The RZ/T1 already supports other leading encoder interfaces including EnDat 2.2, BiSS®-C, Tamagawa and A-format™. This time, the RZ/T1 newly supports the HIPERFACE DSL digital encoder interface.

These digital, bidirectional interfaces provide precise position values from absolute encoders. Instead of using a separate FPGA or ASIC, integrating these encoder interfaces on the RZ/T1 reduces the component count and cuts system costs.

With this expanded functionality, the RZ/T1 now supports most of the leading encoder interfaces, and with its unique configurable encoder interface, it simplifies swapping different encoders interfaces from a single device platform.

HIPERFACE DSL® is an industry-leading interface provided by SICK STEGMANN GmbH, and uses the familiar RS485 cabling with a transmission rate of 9.375 mega baud rate.

The data is transmitted in synchronization with the drive cycle, and the cable between the drive electronic and feedback system can be up to 100 meters in length.

RZ/T1 Motion Control Solution Kit (click on image to enlarge)

The solution package for HIPERFACE DSL provides all required support to connect the RZ/T1 to corresponding slave devices:

• Encoder interface configuration data: programs the configurable encoder interface to operate in HIPERFACE DSL mode and to be able to connect to a corresponding slave device
• Sample driver code: enables the application program to communicate with the encoder through a simple API
• Documentation: API and example program descriptions are provided in an application note; a user's manual for the HIPERFACE DSL encoder enables individual modifications and extensions of the given code samples

"The availability of HIPERFACE DSL for the RZ/T1 proliferates the adoption of our powerful encoder technology in the market," said Clemens Bitsch, Product Manager of HIPERFACE DSL, SICK STEGMANN GmbH.

"We see the digital encoder evolution as a substantial driver for efficient and cost-optimized systems and as a pre-requisite for the Industry 4.0," concluded Bitsch.

Motion Utility Tool screen shot (click on image to enlarge)

Package contents:

• RZ/T1 Motion Controller and Inverter board
• CD-ROM with RZ/T1 Motion PC-Based utility tool,sample programs, documentation
• Servo motor with incremental encoder
• I-Jet Lite debugger
• Cables and connectors
• Getting Started guide
• Video

Function description:

• Controller board/Inverter Board　・Motor drive channel : 2ch
  • Motor power voltage : 12V to 48V
  • Logic power voltage : 24V
  • Encoder I/F × 2
    • Incremental : ABZ(RS-422)(Max 2ch)
    • Absolute : Support A-format™/BiSS®-C/EnDat2.2/Tamagawa (1ch only)
  • 5V Tolerant hall sensor input x 2
  • Ether Portx2、CAN、UART、ΔΣI/F、USB
• Utility Software(Windows application)
  • Support two axes
  • Support Incremental/Absolute Encoder
  • Position control,Motion control (Trapezoidal control, S-curve control)
  • Real-time internal data extraction/Waveform display (Motion scope)
  • Tuning of the Kp, Ki, Kd
• Firmware (Software for RZ/T1)
  • Current loop/Position control loop, Velocity control(Trapezoidal control、S-curve control)
  • Release of the source code(expect a part)
  • Support for command line control

The HIPERFACE DSL solution package for RZ/T1 will be available in December 2017. Renesas will showcase the solution package combined with the RZ/T1 at the Renesas booth (Hall 10.1, Stand 130) at SPS IPC Drives exhibition to be held in Nuremberg, Germany from Nov 28 to 30, 2017.