IRMCK201 has an "hardwared" function for calculate & compute the Space Vector PWM, Clark & Park Transform, PI filter.
It is also can be use for PM motor (like the one on surplus center), & induction motor.
All we have to do is to initialize the register inside the chip with the correct parameter (They have 128 register). to custumize to the right motor. The register can be access through SPI, RS-232 or Parallel port (microcontroller).
I have D/L the data-sheet and start to study for using them for my Sanyo Denki motor. I wish that anyone who interest to this chip can share the knowledge with us in this thread.
I always favor more off-the-shelf parts because the knowledge learned can be used elsewhere. The PID code for a servo motor is actually relatively simple.
However, this chip looks good for someone who don't want to do any programming. I think it only work with a single phase motor, so it's probably not suitable for the surplus 3 phase servo at surplus center.
I always assumed that the reason the reference design was so high is so that IR doesn't compete with their customers. They could put this controller on the IRAM/S/X/Y and have an almost complete motor drive on one package. They used to have a very similar thing with a TI DSP, it was $500.
I have looked at the IR chips, and still go back to Freescale or TI DSP, or possibly the PIC motion controller. It seems like you have just a little more flexibility and you aren't as likely to get screwed when IR gets bored of making a particular chip. I'm not sure about the Pic, but TI has a DSP that is 32 pin that will drive a three phase brushless motor. Analog devices and Freescale have chips very much like this one that are made to drive 3 phase motors.
Andy55 : The IRMCS2011 is expensive, I think becouse of the software "ServoDesigner". It help us to calculate & setting the parameter (register) with the proper value for the proper AC servo. I think we do not need that software (or we could make one) if we do understand the function of each register.
H500: The software for PID is simple but we have to do alot for clark-park transform, space vector PWM, etc. and it is time-consume to the development and also for the exectution time for this function. IR have the "hardware" solution for the high speed execution time & development time. What do you think?
I phoned IR Friday and they confirmed the only way to get the "Servo Designer" software is with the IRMCS2011. I also asked if they had a simple load and save parameters version to which the answer was no.
Tr2000, the biggest disadvantage of the chip is that it might take a lot of work to get everything working without their software. All the knowledge that will be gain is not really useful elsewhere else.
Unfortunately, I did not find out about the 400W servos in time to get hold of any. But if I did, I would do the design using non-specialized parts. A chip like the DSPIC is highly optimized for number crunching and is easily up to the task.
I know that ServoDesigner is only sold with IRMCS2011, but it is not the end of world. The register function is explained on irmck201.pdf, also there is an design guide dg-irmck201.pdf in IRF site.
The ServoDesigner communicate with the board with RS-232 (which also explain in these 2 PDF file.
Some one who can make programing on PC (C++ or Delphi) should be no problem to make the simple software to set the parameter. (I hope someone out there already start this idea).
I think you can set the register values directly through RS-232 with hyperterminal or similar software. You just send a command with a value through your com port to the chip to set the registers.
I don't have a lot of experience but thats the way it looks to me reading through that pdf.