Microcontroller in POWER Electronics Applications (12)

Nowadays, there is a wide Selection of Excellent, Free-of-Charge, High-Level Language Compilers, Editors, Debuggers, Simulators, and other Hardware & Software Tools compatible with numerous Microcontroller models. Therefore, often this criterion will not matter much, but this is not always the case. If you Design a Power Electronics Device for Automotive or Aerospace Applications, you must use approved Software Tools, which are not cheap and limit the choice to Specific Chip Families that are often offered only by Specific Manufacturers. The Designer who Builds a new Electronic Device for the Consumer Market (for example a toy Controller) has much more freedom.

While Selecting a System Type or IDE Runtime Environment, Attention should be paid to the Availability of Function Libraries. More often than not, System Manufacturers do a huge amount of Work for the Programmer, Creating Functions that are Responsible for Handling numerous Functionalities and Peripheral Modules i.e. for Touch interfaces, Displays, Communication interfaces, PWM Generators, etc. Standardized Code Fragments tested in Manufacturer’s Laboratories can significantly accelerate the Program Creation Process and reduce the Time spent Working on a given Project. It is also worth reusing Previously Written Code, so Selecting a Chip Manufacturer that Supplies a variety of Microcontrollers Programmed in the same way and with the same Software & Hardware Tools is often a sensible idea.

Once all Criteria have been analyzed and the necessary Compromise defined, you may start looking for a Microcontroller meeting the Specified Project-Related Requirements. Unfortunately, despite the multitude of Available Systems, Selecting a Perfect Model is often an issue. Sometimes, you are forced to give up certain options, as they make the Design more Complicated and, simultaneously, increase its Cost. In such cases, it is not only the Price of the Microcontroller that matters, but also the Cost of the Equipment Needed to commission it and Test the Features of a Ready-Made Product, as well as the Cost of Peripheral Systems necessary to implement a given Functionality. More often than not, introducing additional Functionality increase the Test Complexity Level and may Significantly Prolong the Device Marketing Time. Your Workshop Capabilities are also important. Sometimes, Writing the System-Code into the Circuit is the only Programming option Available. Luckily, it is offered by (most, though not all) Modern Microcontrollers.

Miled Kafrouni

MKafronics Instruments

#Power_Electronics_Controllers