SOLO-SOM

BLDC Motor FOC Controller SOM, USB/UART/CANopen/EtherCAT

The SOLO SOM (System-on-Module) from SOLO Motor Controllers combines the complete digital motor control system on a compact PCB measuring just 40 × 40 mm. By separating the control electronics from the power stage, motor drives for a wide range of voltage and power ratings can be implemented using a single, standardized control platform.

The module integrates a powerful dual-core DSP, analog signal conditioning, interfaces for various position sensors, and industrial communication interfaces including EtherCAT, CANopen, and USB. The pre-integrated motor control firmware significantly reduces development effort and enables rapid implementation of customized drive solutions.

Two Processor Cores for Maximum Flexibility

At the heart of the SOLO SOM is the Texas Instruments TMS320F28388D, featuring two independently operating 200 MHz processor cores.

The first core (CPU1) handles all motor control functions using firmware developed by SOLO. These include Field-Oriented Control (FOC) with current, speed, and position control loops, position sensor processing, and communication via EtherCAT and CANopen.

The second core (CPU2) is fully accessible for user programming. With dedicated PWM outputs, ADC inputs, and communication interfaces, additional functions such as DC/DC converters, Power Factor Correction (PFC), or supervisory control tasks can be implemented directly on the module. Both cores can exchange data through a high-speed internal communication channel.

One Control Platform for a Wide Range of Power Ratings

Since the SOLO SOM does not include an integrated power stage, voltage, current, and output power can be tailored to the specific application. The motor control platform remains unchanged while the external power stage is designed according to the system requirements.

This approach is suitable for compact low-voltage drives as well as high-performance industrial motor controllers and inverters. Supported motor types include brushed DC motors, BLDC motors, Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM), and coreless EC motors.

Commissioning, parameter configuration, and control-loop tuning are conveniently performed using the browser-based SOLO Motion Terminal. No custom motor control firmware development is required.

Typical Applications

The SOLO SOM is particularly suitable for customized servo drives, industrial motor controllers, robotics, automation systems, pumps, fans, compressors, and high-power inverter solutions.

By reusing the same control platform across different applications and power ratings, manufacturers can shorten development cycles, reduce hardware variants, and expand their product portfolios with significantly less engineering effort.