Motion Control Main Functions

To ensure accurate positioning and movement, motion control consists of the two following main parts:

• Setpoint generation
• Regulation

Setpoint Generation

• This consists of generating a trajectory defined by position versus time.
• It is purely logical and does not relate to the physical world.

Regulation

Even using the very best drives, you cannot maintain accurate positioning without a feedback loop.

• The regulation consists of following the generated position settings using classical feed-forward or feedback control-loops (by means of PID).
  • See How do I implement feedback? for more information.
• Regulation is the part which takes care of the physical world of making moving motors.

These two functions can be located on the same hardware (as in a "stand-alone" servo drive) or on two separate hardware devices, linked together by a fieldbus.

Figure 1: Regulation with Remote Drive

See Also