Date: 27/06/2012

Design tool from Fairchild for optimum selection of its motion control devices

Fairchild Semiconductor has developed the Motion Control Design Tool to help in the selection of the optimum Fairchild Motion-SPM device for specific applications. This tool tackles three-phase inverter sinusoidal modulation for variable speed drive applications powering permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) and AC induction motors.

The tool serves the designers of home appliances to select suitable devices that meet the evolving energy guidelines and regulations, such as ENERGY STAR and European Commission Energy Using Product (EUPs).

Based on the detailed entry of application specific I/O information, the part selection is performed. The program output contains module component losses, junction temperature increases, cooling requirements and junction temperature ripple at the motor/output frequency.

The Motion Control Design Tool offers design engineers with:
1. A quick method for selecting the correct Fairchild SPM device for their application
2. A simulation means for recognizing their design's worst case input and output conditions from a loss and temperature rise aspect
3. A delineation of the module's power component switching and conduction losses for their specific application, enabling them to quickly consider "what if" scenarios to optimize the design
4. Graphical presentation of internal component losses, junction temperature rises and maximum allowable case temperature as a function of output phase current and switching frequency
5. Total module losses and heatsink/cooling requirements
6. A PDF soft copy documentation of their application analysis.

The Motion Control Design Tool can be launched from the motion control tool landing page at: http://www.fairchildsemi.com/design_tools/motion_control_design_tool/index.html

A "Motion Control Design Tool PDF Help Guide" providing detailed program input and output descriptions is provided through a link from the landing page.