Developments in Stepper Motor Control Systems

Abstract

An actuator is one of the important elements in the motion control systems. The motors are most widely used actuators in various applications like robotics, position systems, tracking systems, medical applications, etc. From last three decades the stepper motors are proved to be the integral part of many control systems in number of applications. In this communication the basic elements, advantages, disadvantages, closed loop and open loop systems, motor specifications, control algorithms and applications of stepper motor are discussed. The microstepping, modern method of stepper motor control, is discussed in details. The reported systems, with sensors, sensorless, their algorithms, software packages used for various applications of the stepper motor control are reviewed. Different motor types like DC, Permanent Magnet brushless, servomotor, and induction motor with their advantages and disadvantages are highlighted in the beginning.