Is anyone here motor controller circuit/firmware designer?

[wshi]

Hello!
Well I am just curious to ask this question.
I am new here. I am a circuit designer and lead firmware developer, being parented with a one of the major Chinese motor factory 3 years already. Our controller largely targeted OEM market (6FETs and 18FETs). Some big names based in Japan are currently using our controller for their electronic motorcycle and selling around the globe. (Due to NDA I can’t mention any name here)

Hope we can learn from each other. Best wishes!

 

[fechter]

Welcome,

Yes, there are a few on the forum.
I'm more of a hacker, but also do some design work, mostly analog.

 

[HighTekBikes]

Hi Wshi,

Are any Chinese companies using your design? What is your opinion of the typical ebike controller? Do you provide regen in the controller? What method do you use? What info would you like from the members here? Technical or desired features? What info can you share? Any plans to market any products here? There are lots of experienced users on here for beta testing.

 

[mwkeefer]

wshi,

What MCU are your various controllers based upon?

Are open firmware under NDA/NCA available for vendor customization?

Are various levels of builds available?

Are parameters (Current, Regen, Extras, Phase, Advance, Etc) Available via some configuration protocol (preferably open protocol serial or TTL-USB)

What FETs do you use?

What is the standard copper weight of your boards?

Since none of this should be propriatary (not asking for anymore than the basic tech details) I would hope you can provide us more information...

Many of us (users, elite and vendors alike) would be interested in your product depending upon how flexible for our needs they would be

Regards,
Mike

PS: PM me on the forum if you wish to discuss this in a more closed environment.

 

[liveforphysics]

Hello!
Well I am just curious to ask this question.
I am new here. I am a circuit designer and lead firmware developer, being parented with a one of the major Chinese motor factory 3 years already. Our controller largely targeted OEM market (6FETs and 18FETs). Some big names based in Japan are currently using our controller for their electronic motorcycle and selling around the globe. (Due to NDA I can’t mention any name here)

Hope we can learn from each other. Best wishes!

Have you ever done any self-starting sensorless brushless motor controller designs? We currently have a wimpy 50v limit on the controllers to run with brushless sensorless RC motors, and it takes custom fitting them with hall sensors (a lot of work!) if we want to run a decent voltage into them.

Also, something like a 300amp 200v controller with good performance at a good price would be great as well. Something using a TO-247 FET package. About all the market has for making a decent brushless motorcycle is the biggest brushless Kelly controllers, which seem to be marginally designed at best and quite costly.

 

[wshi]

Hi Wshi,

Are any Chinese companies using your design? What is your opinion of the typical ebike controller? Do you provide regen in the controller? What method do you use? What info would you like from the members here? Technical or desired features? What info can you share? Any plans to market any products here? There are lots of experienced users on here for beta testing.

Currently we only sell our product via OEM channels, but I am also open to new market and potentials. Most e-bike controllers today are feature loaded and poorly built, while my focus is bring the highest stability and quality with relatively reasonable cost. The regeneration break is built-in(2 modes: simple and advanced) , but not turned on unless requested. Frankly at first I am not planning at all to market product here, but I will see how things goes.

 

[wshi]

wshi,

What MCU are your various controllers based upon?

Are open firmware under NDA/NCA available for vendor customization?

Are various levels of builds available?

Are parameters (Current, Regen, Extras, Phase, Advance, Etc) Available via some configuration protocol (preferably open protocol serial or TTL-USB)

What FETs do you use?

What is the standard copper weight of your boards?

Since none of this should be propriatary (not asking for anymore than the basic tech details) I would hope you can provide us more information...

Many of us (users, elite and vendors alike) would be interested in your product depending upon how flexible for our needs they would be

Regards,
Mike

PS: PM me on the forum if you wish to discuss this in a more closed environment.

The most recent controller are based on Renesas R8C series. Controller is configurable via serial connection and able to accept control command and output real time status/diagnostic data. Come to FET we have used STP75NF75, STP140NF75, IRFB(P)4110, IRFB4568, IRLB4030 etc. For standard copper weight, I am not so sure how to translate but I already try the thickest copper can get in the market. (I can feel the hard to solder SMD parts on the board since copper layer dissipate solder temperature too fast!)
Well....don't really have a plan to extend market here yet but yea, this is defiantly something to think about.

 

[wshi]

Hello!
Well I am just curious to ask this question.
I am new here. I am a circuit designer and lead firmware developer, being parented with a one of the major Chinese motor factory 3 years already. Our controller largely targeted OEM market (6FETs and 18FETs). Some big names based in Japan are currently using our controller for their electronic motorcycle and selling around the globe. (Due to NDA I can’t mention any name here)

Hope we can learn from each other. Best wishes!

Have you ever done any self-starting sensorless brushless motor controller designs? We currently have a wimpy 50v limit on the controllers to run with brushless sensorless RC motors, and it takes custom fitting them with hall sensors (a lot of work!) if we want to run a decent voltage into them.

Also, something like a 300amp 200v controller with good performance at a good price would be great as well. Something using a TO-247 FET package. About all the market has for making a decent brushless motorcycle is the biggest brushless Kelly controllers, which seem to be marginally designed at best and quite costly.

No. Although sensorless is a good idea at beginning but I believe it has fundamental flaw when dealing with heavy loads and quality variance. None of our controller is sensorless.

We have produced some controller using TO-247 / TO-264 and they are custom build for e-motorcycle clients.

 

[billvon]

The most recent controller are based on Renesas R8C series. Controller is configurable via serial connection and able to accept control command and output real time status/diagnostic data.

I've had quite good luck with the Microchip series, from the lower end parts (the 18F1230 is a good example) to the higher end dsPIC parts. The higher end parts are capable of PWM at very high resolutions and speeds, and often provide a bunch of useful analog peripherals like comparators, references, A/D converters, D/A converters, current mode PWM controllers and multiple UARTs. The A/D converters can be programmed to sample at the exact same spot on the switching waveform every time, making cycle-by-cycle measurement possible. They will also sample multiple channels at once so you can capture the entire state of the inverter at once.