Title: Real-time reconfigurable SoC for process control

Authors: Ahmed Karim Ben Salem; Slim Ben Othman; Slim Ben Saoud

Addresses: LECAP Laboratory – EPT, National Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (INSAT), P.B. 676, 1080 Tunis Cedex, Tunisia. ' LECAP Laboratory – EPT, National Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (INSAT), P.B. 676, 1080 Tunis Cedex, Tunisia. ' LECAP Laboratory – EPT, National Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (INSAT), P.B. 676, 1080 Tunis Cedex, Tunisia

Abstract: Real-Time (RT) embedded control applications require a skilled balance between HardWare (HW) and SoftWare (SW) competencies. This paper aims to use a methodology based on novel Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) integrating embedded processor cores using RT kernel. This methodology has been applied to the implementation of motor control algorithms, in order to enhance both flexibility and determinism. Various SW/HW architectures have been contrasted in terms of speed/area. Implementation results demonstrate successfully the capacity of implementing, in high-level coding, RT complex control algorithms. The flexible design flow can be readily applied to any control algorithm with minor adapting.

Keywords: embedded control; electric drives; FPGA; SoPC; co-design; RTOS; processor core; process control; field programmable gate arrays; motor control; system on chip; real-time SoC; reconfigurable SoC.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCAT.2011.045405

International Journal of Computer Applications in Technology, 2011 Vol.42 No.2/3, pp.177 - 190

Published online: 11 Feb 2012 *

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