motor control News - CNX Software - Embedded Systems News

October 28, 2025October 27, 2025 by Debashis Das - 3 Comments

Microchip PIC32-BZ6 BLE 6.0, Thread, and Matter wireless MCU integrates touch and motor control

Microchip IC32 BZ6 single chip wireless MCU

Microchip has recently introduced the PIC32-BZ6 family of single-chip, multiprotocol wireless MCUs, also available as RF-certified modules, and designed for smart home, industrial automation, and automotive applications. The module supports Bluetooth LE 6.0, IEEE 802.15.4-based Thread and Matter, and proprietary mesh protocols. For wired connectivity, there are two CAN-FD ports, a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet MAC, and a USB 2.0 full-speed transceiver. Other features include CVD-based touch sensing and motor control interfaces for interactive and real-time applications. As a secure MCU, the PIC32-BZ6 integrates a hardware-based security engine, a secure boot ROM, and encryption accelerators, along with OTA update capability for long-term device management. The microcontroller offers up to 54 GPIO pins, multiple pin and package options (up to 132-pin VQFN), and automotive-grade variants rated for -40°C to +125°C operation. Microchip PIC32-BZ6 specifications: MCU Core – 128 MHz Arm Cortex-M4F with FPU and DSP extensions Memory 512 KB multi-port SRAM (with […]

October 6, 2025October 5, 2025 by Debashis Das - No Comments

1GHz Renesas RA8T2 Cortex-M85 MCUs feature MRAM and EtherCAT for industrial motor control

Renesas has recently introduced the new RA8T2, an AI-powered motor control Cortex-M85 MCU that can be considered a direct upgrade to the RA8T1, which launched last year. The RA8T2 offers higher performance along with networking options for industrial, robotics, and other motor control systems. The RA8T2 features a 1GHz Arm Cortex-M85 core, an optional 250MHz Cortex-M33 core, up to 1MB MRAM and 2MB SRAM, a 300MHz PWM timer, dual 16-bit ADCs with simultaneous sampling, high-speed comparators, fast PWM shutdown, and more. Connectivity options include dual Gigabit Ethernet, EtherCAT slave, USB, CAN FD, I3C, and SPI, while security features include TrustZone and a cryptographic engine. Renesas RA8T2 key features and specifications: MCU core Arm Cortex-M85 up to 1 GHz (Armv8.1-M, TrustZone, FPU, MVE, ETM) Arm Cortex-M33 up to 250 MHz (Armv8-M, DSP, TrustZone, ETM) Memory & Storage Up to 1 MB MRAM 2 MB SRAM (with ECC) 256 KB TCM for […]

September 20, 2025September 20, 2025 by Debashis Das - No Comments

TI C2000 F28E12x low-cost real-time MCUs feature C28x DSP core for sensorless motor control

Texas Instruments (TI) has launched the F28E12x series of ultra-low-cost C2000 real-time MCUs for motor control based on a 160 MHz C28x DSP core with up to 128 KB flash, 16 KB SRAM, and standard peripherals including SPI, SCI, I²C, and UART, delivering about 30% more performance than earlier C2000 devices. The F28E12x series also integrates various control peripherals, a high-speed ADC, and a programmable gain amplifier, enabling fast Field-Oriented Control (FOC) for sensorless motors at speeds exceeding 120,000 rpm. Other Features include vibration compensation algorithms for up to 60% speed ripple reduction, reduced acoustic noise, higher startup torque, and smoother operation. With built-in communications, support for TI’s InstaSPIN software, and multiple package options, these MCUs are well-suited for applications such as vacuum cleaners, washing machines, air conditioners, dishwashers, and power drills. Texas Instruments C2000 F28E12x specifications: MCU core – C28x 32-bit DSP core @ up to 160 MHz (equivalent […]

August 29, 2025August 29, 2025 by Debashis Das - No Comments

NXP MCX A34 mixed-signal Cortex-M33 MCU delivers 17x faster math acceleration for motor control and HVAC systems

NXP has launched the MCX A34 mixed-signal Arm Cortex-M33 industrial MCU, an upgrade of the MCX A14x and MCX A15x MCUs, which were introduced in 2024. While the A14x/A15x offered Cortex-M33 cores up to 96 MHz, 128 KB Flash, 32 KB SRAM, a 12-bit ADC, the A34 scales up with a 180 MHz core, up to 1 MB Flash, 256 KB SRAM, four 16-bit ADCs (3.2 Msps), four OpAmps, a 12-bit DAC, and FlexPWM with enhanced quadrature decoding. It also features a dedicated Math Acceleration Unit (MAU) that executes trigonometric, reciprocal, and square root operations up to 17x faster than CMSIS-DSP, a SmartDMA coprocessor for offloading data transfers, and advanced security features with tamper detection and secure boot. Connectivity is also richer, with up to six UARTs, four I²C, two SPI, and a CAN FD interface. MCX A34 specifications: MCU core – Arm Cortex-M33 core clocked at up to 180 […]

August 6, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 3 Comments

Nuvoton MG51 8-bit 8051 MCU family features with up to 64KB flash, 4KB SRAM

NuMaker-MG51FC MG51 8-bit 8051 MCU development board

Nuvoton MG51 Series is a new family of 8-bit 8051 microcontrollers clocked at up to 24 MHz with up to 64KB flash, 4KB SRAM, 5V operation, industrial temperature range, and a range of peripherals such as UART, I2C, SPI, 12-bit ADC, as well as up to 46 GPIOs. Some may have assumed 8-bit microcontrollers may be dead by now, but Nuvoton is not giving up, and after the MUG51 8-bit 8051 microcontroller family was introduced in 2023, the company is at it again with the MG51 Series, offering a higher clock speed, higher memory and storage capacity, and additional I/Os. Target applications include home appliances, LED lighting control, motor control, and industrial automation. Nuvoton MG51 specifications: MCU core – 8-bit 1T 8051-based CMOS microcontroller up to 24 MHz; fully compatible with MCS-51 Memory 256 bytes on-chip RAM Up to 4 KB auxiliary RAM (XRAM) Storage Up to 64 KB Flash […]

July 14, 2025July 13, 2025 by Debashis Das - No Comments

Renesas RA2T1 low-power Cortex-M23 MCUs target BLDC/PMSM motor applications

Renesas RA2T1 microcontroller (MCU) group

Renesas has recently launched the RA2T1 group of low-power motor control MCUs, built around a 64 MHz Arm Cortex-M23, for low-cost single-motor applications like power tools, fans, and home appliances. Designed for Brushless DC Electric Motors (BLDC) and Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM), the RA2T1 supports both trapezoidal and FOC control techniques, thanks to its integrated 3-channel Sample and Hold (S&H) circuits that enable accurate 3-phase current detection. It also includes PWM shutdown features and various analog and digital peripherals in compact packages as small as 4×4 mm QFN. Previously, Renesas introduced the RA8T1, also a motor control MCU based on the Cortex-M85 core with Helium instructions and DSP extensions. Ideal for AI-enhanced motor control in industrial and robotics applications. Around the same time, Infineon launched the PSOC Control C3x series, with real-time motor control and security features along with fast ADCs, high-resolution PWM, and PSA Level 2 compliance. Renesas […]

June 21, 2025 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 10 Comments

MEEPO V5 electric skateboard review – Unboxing, teardown, features and performance testing

I’ve just received an electric skateboard for review: the MEEPO V5. I initially thought I would skip that one since it’s not super relevant to the usual topics covered on CNX Software, but seeing bolts on the photos, I figured out it might still be interesting to do a teardown of the skateboard to see how it works. So here I am. I’ll also go through an unboxing first, and check its features and performance. MEEPO V5 unboxing The package was quite larger and longer than I expected. That’s partially because there were two packages: one for the electric skateboard itself, and the other for a helmet. The skateboard is also quite bigger and heavier (8kg) than the skateboards I tried to use when I was a child. The build quality looks excellent. There are some marks and dust on the wheels and deck because I tried it before taking […]

April 28, 2025April 28, 2025 by Debashis Das - 1 Comment

Zalmotek RA6M1, RA8M1, and RZ/A3U SoMs follow Adafruit Feather form factor, support carrier board for robotics and industrial control

Romanian company Zalmotek has recently introduced three new SoMs, the RA6M1, RA8M1, and RZ/A3UL, and a modular carrier board designed for embedded applications such as robotics, industrial control, and edge computing. There are a few things that I find interesting about this setup. The SoM comes in Adafruit Feather form factor and, as a result, supports various Adafruit FeatherWings. The modular carrier board supports the Dynamixel motor driver module, the Particle M-SoM breakout module, Ethernet, and CAN modules. The RA6M1 Feather SoM is powered by a Renesas RA6M1 Arm Cortex-M4 CPU at up to 120 MHz, with 512 KB flash and 96 KB SRAM while the RA8M1 Feather SoM features a Renesas RA8M1 64-bit Arm Cortex-M85 running at up to 360 MHz with 128 Mbit SPI flash, the RZ/A3UL Feather SoM is based on a Renesas RZ/A3UL 64-bit Arm Cortex-A55 CPU at up to 1 GHz, with 512 Mbit OctaFlash […]