Microprocessor-based stepping motor systems

Stepping motors are often used as output devices for microprocessor-based control systems. The essential feature of these systems is that the microprocessor program produces a 'result' and the stepping motor must then move the load to the position cor responding to this 'result'. In this chapter we shall be considering the ways in which the microprocessor can be involved in control of the stepping motor. In complete contrast is the 'hardware-intensive' system. Here the microprocessor program merely feeds the target position information and a start command to the hardware controller, which generates the phase control signals for the motor drive circuits and a 'finish' signal for the microprocessor when the target is reached.