Exploring SoPC technology and RTOS issues for industrial motor control

In this paper, an embedded control unit based on the System on Programmable Chip (SoPC) technology is designed, using advanced FPGA chip with embedded processors. Ready to use Intellectual Property (IP) modules including open-source cores are integrated into FPGA in hardware design. Furthermore, a modular idea based on a commercial and open-source Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) is applied to software design. This co-designed RT control unit is validated on an electric motor. The implementation results demonstrate successfully the high level of flexibility of such advanced motor controller system with a deterministic response and an extended functionality. They also show the feasibility to use open-source SoPC for industrial motor control.