Communication network for a brushless motor drive system

Widespread use of digital drives in numerically controlled machines requires a digital interface which not only replaces the analogue command signals but also provides enhanced control and operating functions. An expandable drive communications network is provided by the fibre optic serial real-time communications system (SERCOS) interface, to communicate closed loop data for high performance motion control. This enables advanced operation modes with expandable scope for operating data, support for the loading of parameters and diagnostics, and coordinated operation of the numerical control and drive system. Local control is achieved using an embedded PC on a windows platform