SimpleMotion motion control strategies

SimpleMotion V2 allows building single and multi-axis motion control applications in three different strategies. The table below summarizes the options.

Strategy	Implementation	Features	Cons	Need real-time host	Synchronized multi-axis motion	Example implementation & documentation
Parameter communication	Send setpoint commands to a target drive with simple "write parameter" commands	The easiest way to do point-to-point motion control Motion acceleration and velocity trajectories are produced by drive and can be set before motion is started Can modify any drive parameter on the fly Can be used together with other setpoint sources	No multi-axis synchronization, all axes operate in point-to-point mode individually	No	No	PointToPointExample
Buffered motion stream	List of trajectory coordinate points are uploaded to drive command buffers and executed by drives based on clock	Allow synchronizing multiple axes and running arbitrary motion paths Motion acceleration and velocity profiles are generated by user application Unlimited trajectory duration Typical setpoint update rates are 250 Hz to 1000 Hz for 1 to 4 axis systems	Delay caused by buffering (0.2-1.0 sec buffering is recommended to avoid buffer underruns and breaks of motion) Update rate will reduce as more axes are added to the system (due to bus bandwidth limit) Some added complexity in programming	No	Yes	Example project:BufferedMotionStreamExample Buffered motion stream in SimpleMotion V2
Real-time motion commands	Position commands are sent to drives just like in parameter communication strategy, except in high update rate and from real-time host	Allow synchronizing multiple axes and running arbitrary motion paths Motion acceleration and velocity profiles are generated by user application Use of Setpoint smoothingCIS smooths any motion above 250 Hz to silky smooth There is virtually no delay between command and action Higher scalability, can use multiple SimpleMotion buses to support large number of axis	Update rate will reduce as more axes are added to the system (due to bus bandwidth limit), however, see the scalability feature in Features column For smooth interrupted motion, need hard real-time host, such as RTLinux, PLC or micro controller platform. SimpleMotion V2 USB adapter may add uncertainty to timing, so use of other adapter may be necessary (PCI, PCI-E, PLC port or other peripheral, such as microcontroller USART).	Yes	Yes	RealtimeControlExample

In no event the Product Information or parts hereof shall be regarded as guarantee of conditions or characteristics. The Product Information or any part thereof may also not be regarded as a warranty of any kind. No liability of any kind shall be assumed by Author with respect to Product Information or any use made by you thereof, nor shall Author indemnify you against or be liable for any third party claims with respect to such information or any use thereof.

As content of this Wiki may be edited by user community, Granite Devices Oy or it's affiliates do not take any responsibility of the contents of this Wiki. Use information at your own risk. However, Granite Devices staff attempts to review all changes made to this Wiki and keep information trustworthy.

Without written consent, Granite Devices' Products or Intellectual Property shall not be used in situations or installations where living beings, material property, or immaterial property could be harmed by the operation, features or failures of Product. Products may only be used in a way where hazards like moving parts, electric shock, laser radiation, or fire can't be realized even if the content of this Wiki would suggest otherwise.