Open AccessEnhancing functional safety in FPGA‐based motor drives
Author(s) -
Jeppesen Benjamin Peter,
Rajamani Meenakshi,
Smith Kevin Mark
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
the journal of engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2051-3305
DOI - 10.1049/joe.2018.8262
Subject(s) - field programmable gate array , functional safety , iec 61508 , flexibility (engineering) , computer science , embedded system , motor drive , control (management) , automotive engineering , computer hardware , control engineering , engineering , artificial intelligence , mechanical engineering , computer network , statistics , mathematics
Motor control applications using small fast‐spinning motors, and the advent of SiC and GaN switching transistors, are driving a need for compact drives with high‐frequency control loop updates. FPGAs provide the necessary speed and flexibility for such control. Drives must also adhere to functional safety standards. This paper demonstrates how the functional safety of an FPGA‐controlled drive can be analysed using an FMEDA and enhanced with diagnostic methods to achieve ISO 26262 ASIL B or IEC 61508 SIL 2.