A PC-based measurement and control system for DC motors

The design of a personal computer-based measurement and control system for teaching and research in a DC drive laboratory is described. This system uses a personal computer in conjunction with an analog and digital I/O board, a signal sensing and conditioning subsystem for the acquisition and subsequent processing of current, voltage, and speed signals, and a power amplifier module for driving the DC motor under test. The system is shown to improve the reliability and productivity of DC motor measurement in the laboratory and provide such features as speed control, overload identification and protection, and graphics display of measured variables. The software subsystem is written in the C language and is able to perform the tasks associated with the real-time measurement and control of a DC motor. The design considerations and system-related constraints are presented. The hardware and software subsystems are discussed. Some possible practical applications are also discussed.<>