Patrick Heath
Microchip Technology
Motor Control Manager
Patrick is the Motor Control Manager for Microchip Technology Inc, based in Chandler, AZ. He is responsible for new dsPIC DSC motor control chip definition and for the hardware and software development tools to use them to spin motors. Before Microchip, he worked at Motorola Semiconductor in Austin, TX. He holds a master’s degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR).
Presentations
Improved Startup and Slow-Speed Operation of Field Oriented Control (FOC) Algorithms
It’s well known that FOC is the king of motor control algorithms. It provides the highest energy efficiency and the maximum motor torque output when it is running in a closed loop. However, it’s Achille’s heel has always been that during motor startup and when running at very low speeds, the motor phase current feedback is not stable, and the motor runs open loop providing minimal torque and low efficiency.