Curtis PMC 1209B/1221B/1221C/1231C Manual
45
APPENDIX B
APPENDIX B
PULSE WIDTH MODULATION
B-1
A high power semiconductor switch, consisting of an array of parallel power MOSFET transistors, controls
the current in the motor windings. The transistors are connected in series with the battery and the motor. The
transistors are turned on and off 15,000 times per second by the controller circuitry, while the ratio of the on/
off times is varied in response to the input demanded by the throttle.
When the transistors are on, the current through the motor builds up, storing energy in the motor
’
s magnetic
fi
eld. When the transistors are off, the stored energy causes the motor current to continue to
fl
ow through the
freewheel diode. The control current ramps up and down as the switch turns on and off. Average current,
which determines motor torque, is controlled by the ratio of on/off times. Smooth, stepless control of the
power delivered to the motor is achieved with almost no power loss in the control components.
Fig. B-1
Pulse width modulation.
+
–
+
THROTTLE
POTBOX
FILTER
CAPS
POWER
MOSFETS
MO
T
O
R
F
IEL
D
PLUG
DIODE
FREEWHEEL
DIODE
ARM
TIME
MO
T
O
R
C
U
R
R
EN
T
CURRENT PATH DURING
TRANSISTOR
ON
TIME
CURRENT PATH DURING
TRANSISTOR
OFF
TIME
B
A
T
T
ER
Y
CONTROL
CIRCUITRY
(SHADED AREA REPRESENTS CONTROLLER)
B+
B-
A2
M-