Thanks to the realization of many projects in which FPGAs were used to control power electronic components, we have a wealth of experience in this area. Thanks to the high computing power of FPGAs, the switching times of modern power transistors can be utilized. While processors can only count and switch at instruction or interrupt level (interrupt latency), this is possible at clock level with FPGAs. This reduces the jitter. Due to the parallel processing in the FPGA, signal processing, sequence control (FSMs), monitoring and control of signals can take place simultaneously. This makes FPGAs an excellent platform for the implementation of algorithms, e.g. for switching amplifiers, switching controllers or piezo controllers.

Controller for Piezo Actuators

Piezo Actuators have a strongly non-linear behavior, which is why the usual linear controllers and systems mostly cannot be used. However, the DSPs frequently used to control piezo actuators only support linear algorithms such as FIR filters very well, as they map the required multiply-accumulate operations directly to hardware. The free configuration options of FPGAs enable better mapping of non-linear algorithms to the hardware. Even low-cost FPGAs, with their more than ten multipliers, offer significantly greater computing power than DSPs. FPGAs allow more complex algorithms and new control concepts with better control results and efficiencies.

CONTROLLER FOR ShiftING CONTROLLERS

The demands on switching regulators are constantly increasing: lower output voltages with higher currents and lower output ripple, higher integration density. Digital controllers make it easier to realize more extensive requirements. Due to the functional units in FPGAs, which operate in parallel, greater computing power is available than with microcontrollers. Monitoring functions can be integrated into the FPGA and also utilize its high reaction speeds. This increases the integration density of the switching controllers and simplifies the PCB design.