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Power Tree with Servo Option

This site is dedicated to a review of designs of a power tree for a FPGA/Embedded Controller board with optional power for servo or motor controller.

It is recommended the the discussion at Three Amps At Five Volts be read and understood first before continuing.

System Readiness Level

Reference Design, Some Lagging Interfaces

The results posted on this site are preliminary and have not yet been verified through background theory, nor have they been implemented or applied in any environment that can validate their fitness for use.

Measures of Success

The following are measures of success of the designs being discussed:

• Able to provide power as required for modern FPGA designs
• Power tree has a wide input voltage, 3A@5V supply as its root
• The design supports applications for servos and/or motor controllers based on +/- 12-V rails

Block Diagram

The block diagram of the system involves the following components:

1. Power Supply Module
2. Control Module
3. Power Stage Module
4. Position Feedback Module
5. User Interface and Communications

Core Concepts

The following core concepts are prerequisites to discussions in further sections:

1. 3-phase Supply Lines
2. Electromagnetic generators and motors
3. Servos
4. Electronic Communications

Theory of Operation

The following sections outline the theory of operation behind the core components of the design:

1. Power supply Sequencing
2. Electromechanical Power
3. Mechanical Overloads

Validation

The following list shows a number of readily available reference designs supplied by various power electronics manufacturers:

1. TIDA-010009

This reference design from Texas Instruments is designed for compact, efficient control of servos and variable speed AC/DC drives from a single 24-V supply line.