XMP-Analog Architectural Overview

Introduction

This section provides a general description of the XMP controller's architecture. It is intended to help users better understand the XMP's inner workings, and also explains how hardware functions with external components such as host computers, drives, and encoders.

Architectural Overview

The XMP-Analog controller is a remarkably integrated device, designed to link a host computer with industry-standard motion drives. While many motion controllers heavily task the host computer's CPU to calculate motion paths and execute commands, the XMP performs much like a computer-within-a-computer to free the host of these tasks. Because the controller dedicates itself 100 percent to the task of motion control, the host computer is tasked only with communicating high-level commands; it remains free to oversee other tasks. Meanwhile, your machine's motion drive is ensured the safest, most rapid, and precise motion control possible. The XMP controller achieves this feat through a fully integrated architecture, consolidating all essential control components and subsystems onto one controller.

Computer Hosts
XMP controllers can be hosted by both PCI and CompactPCI (CPCI) computers via a 32-bit direct memory interface. Remote hosting via an Ethernet (TCP/IP) connection is also available.

Digital Signal Processor (DSP)
The hardware centerpiece of the XMP is the SHARC DSP (Super Harvard ARchitecture Computer Digital Signal Processor). By taking full advantage of the DSP's horsepower, efficiency is optimized, by splitting the motion tasks between the host and XMP.

Motor Control
Each controller is capable of operating up to 16 axes (independently configurable to control a servo or stepper motor) at a sample rate of 5 KHz, or 8 axes at a sample rate of 10 kHz. Included with each axis is a high speed compare output, and a high speed capture or registration input. Each axis can also be configured to sinusoidally commutate servo motors via two analog outputs. Full tuning capability is offered with PID and advanced, post-PID filtering options for each axis, including gain-scheduling and dual-loop control. Stepper output rates can be as high as 2.5 MHz. This direct-digital pulse train can control an open or closed loop motor, enabling frequency-controlled servo operation. Axes can be configured for step-direction or clockwise-counterclockwise operation.

Motion Feedback
Motion feedback can be standard quadrature from an incremental encoder (10 MHz max, 40 MHz count rate), ±10 volt analog differential signal, or analog encoder signal routed to a 4096x Scale Interpolation Module (SIM4).

Safety
Dedicated, DSP-based motion control optimizes safety: the controller's on-board watchdog timers constantly monitor handshaking, and a dedicated, general purpose E-stop input is at the ready. Each axis also has configurable, optically-isolated software and hardware limits up to 24 volts.

Clock
A phase-locked loop (PLL) clock generator provides the master clock to the DSP, PCI interface, state machines and FPGAs.

Analog Power Supply
Clean analog power is generated on ±15V power rails from Vcc. Each 8-axis controller has its own analog power supply.

XMP Components

Three key components comprise the XMP family: main boards, expansion boards, and SIM4 modules. Every XMP controller starts with one main controller. Other components are added as needs dictate.

XMP main board
Every XMP controller consists of at least this component; in some cases (XMP-CPCI-3U and XMP-SERCOS-PMC) it is the only component. Each main board includes a SHARC DSP processor subsystem with up to two motion blocks each.

XMP expansion board (optional)
Connects directly to one main board (XMP-PCI and XMP-CPCI-6U only) via a ribbon cable. Adds up to two more motion blocks, with 4- and 8-axis models available.

SIM4 scale interpolation module (optional)
Plugs directly into main and/or expansion boards (XMP-PCI and XMP-CPCI-6U only) via mezzanine connectors. Up to two SIM4s may be added to each main or expansion board.

XMP controllers and SIM4 modules.