High performance AC drives using digital signal processors

The author gives a description of two commercially available AC motor control products followed by a discussion on the possible choice of processor for a third hypothetical design of the future. The emphasis is on the hardware chosen for signal processing which takes two forms. Firstly there is the need to handle various inputs, outputs, displays and adjustments of a nontime critical nature. Secondly the need to continuously manipulate `analogue signal like´ variables. Higher performance products need this type of time critical signal processing or `true DSP´ to a greater extent than the latter `low level DSP´