Introduction
This manual describes the operational characteristics of the MC2540, MC2520 and MC2510 Motion
Processors from PMD. These devices are members of PMD’s second-generation motion processor
family, which consists of 14 separate products organized into 5 series.
Each of these devices is a complete chip-based motion processor. They provide trajectory
generation and related motion control functions, and high speed pulse and direction outputs.
Together these products provide a software-compatible family of dedicated motion processors that
can handle a large variety of system configurations.
Each of these chips utilize a similar architecture, consisting of a high-speed computation unit, along
with an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The computation unit contains special on-
board hardware that makes it well suited for the task of motion control.
Each chipset consists of two PQFP (Plastic Quad Flat Pack) ICs: a 100-pin Input/Output (I/O)
chip, and a 132-pin Command Processor (CP) chip.
Four of the series in the Navigator family are designed for a particular type of motor or control
scheme. The fifth allows the user to control 2 servo motor types (brushed and brushless). Here is a
summary description of each series.
Family Summary
MC2100 Series (MC2140, MC2120, MC2110) – This series outputs motor commands in either
Sign/Magnitude PWM or DAC-compatible format for use with brushed servo motors, or with
brushless servo motors having external commutation.
MC2300 Series (MC2340, MC2320, MC2310) – This series outputs sinusoidally or 6-step
commutated motor signals appropriate for driving brushless motors. Depending on the motor type,
the output is a two-phase or three-phase signal in either PWM or DAC-compatible format.
MC2400 Series (MC2440, MC2420, MC2410) – This series provides microstepping signals for
stepping motors. Two phased signals per axis are generated in either PWM or DAC-compatible
format.
MC2500 Series (MC2540, MC2520, MC2510) – These chipsets provide high-speed pulse and
direction signals for stepping motor systems.
MC2800 Series (MC2840, MC2820) – This series outputs sinusoidally or 6-step commutated motor
signals appropriate for driving brushless servo motors as well as PWM or DAC- compatible outputs
for driving brushed servo motors.
MC2500 Technical Specifications
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