Toshiba offers microcontrollers that incorporate a Vector Engine (VE) for field orientated control, a one-shot pulse generator and a digital RDC* (Resolver to Digital Converter). These features help simplify and improve the efficiency of software operations.

* Resolver-to-Digital Converter: a circuit that converts angular (sine and cosine) information from sensors that reside on the motor into digital signals.

On-chip digital RDC

Toshiba's microcontrollers integrate an RDC that has traditionally been implemented as a separate chip. This reduces the external part count, saves board space and eases the part approval process. Additionally, the digitalized RDC provides improved noise immunity and greater design flexibility.



The Advanced Programmable Motor Driver (A-PMD) can control up to two motors at low to high speeds and reduces the CPU workload.

Hardware Advanced Programmable Motor Driver (A-PMD) IP

• Vector Engine (VE) for field orientated motor control
  Toshiba's proprietary Vector Engine (VE) is used as a motor controller. The VE has an increased ratio of hardware processing and reduces the CPU workload for motor control by approximately 50% (compared to Toshiba's predecessor).
• One-shot pulse generator
  At high RPMs, the one-shot pulse generator allows the A-PMD to control motors with one pulse per revolution, thereby making it possible to spin them at 15,000 RPM or faster. At mid to high RPMs, the one-shot pulse generator results in an approximately 10% increase in the motor output power, compared to asynchronous PWM control. This provides greater flexibility in the use of smaller batteries or motors.

Autonomous Control in Three Different Modes

• Hardware benefits
  1. Programmers can put the off-loaded processing power of the CPU into new functions such as communications.
  2. The hardware PMD allows a relatively low-end (i.e., low-power and thus low-noise) CPU to run motors.

CPU Workload Benchmark Results Using the PMD

* Based on Toshiba's benchmark programs