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[FAQ] MOTORSTUDIO: SmartTune FAQ

Dhinesh
Intellectual 2915 points
Part Number: MOTORSTUDIO
Other Parts Discussed in Thread: MCF8315C, MCF8329A

Tool/software:

  1. What is SmartTune?

SmartTune is an intelligent auto-configuration tool built into TI’s MotorStudio GUI. It simplifies and automates tuning for BLDC motors using TI's 3-phase sensorless FOC (Field-Oriented Control) motor drivers. With just four inputs - rated voltage, rated current, rated speed and control mode - users can configure and spin a motor in under ~2 minutes.

 

  1. What are the benefits of SmartTune?
  • Eliminates manual tuning efforts
  • Reduces time-to-spin
  • Reduces learning curve for new users
  • Generates near-optimal startup, acceleration, and loop parameters
  • Automatically handles motor saliency, current limits, and fault detection

 

  1. What does SmartTune generate?

SmartTune calculates and configures:

  • Motor electrical parameters: R, L, Ke
  • Startup method (IPD or Align based on saliency)
  • Load profile (J & B)
  • Acceleration factors (A1, A2)
  • Loop tuning values (Kp, Ki for torque and speed)
  • Fault thresholds and current limits

On successful completion of SmartTune, it generates the complete EEPROM configuration (.json file) that user can download from “file” tab.

 

  1. What parameters do I need to input?

Minimum required:

  • Rated Voltage: The rated DC supply voltage for the 3-phase BLDC motor.
  • Rated Current: The rated peak phase current value for the 3-phase BLDC motor when it is driven at rated speed and rated voltage with load. 
  • Rated Speed: The maximum rated speed of the 3-phase BLDC motor (in Hz). If the mechanical speed is in RPM (N) convert the value to electrical frequency (f in Hz) using the formula: f = P x N / 120. P is the number of rotor poles. 
  • Control mode: The closed loop control mode (Speed or Current/Torque control). The MCF devices offer different control modes in closed loop operation. Select the parameter you require to hold at a constant value in closed loop control. (For example, Current control mode sets the peak phase current of the motor to the configured value in closed loop operation).

 Optional:

  • Phase Resistance (R) - Phase Resistance refers to the resistance of the motor windings per phase. The phase resistance can be manually obtained by using a digital multimeter to measure the phase-to-phase resistance between any two-phase terminals, then dividing this value by 2 to obtain the phase resistance. 
  • Inductance (L) - Phase Inductance refers to the inductance of the motor windings per phase. The phase inductance can be manually obtained by using an LCR meter to measure the phase-to-phase inductance across any two-phase terminals, then dividing this value by two to obtain the phase inductance.
  • BEMF constant (Ke) - The back-EMF constant describes the motor phase-to-neutral back-EMF voltage as a function of the motor speed. The easy way to get the equivalent BEMF constant (Ke) is to measure the peak value of BEMF (by externally spinning the motor) on scope for one electrical cycle between two phase terminals (Eph), and then multiply by time duration of one electrical cycle (Te) and divide by sqrt(3). Ke = (Eph) x (Te) / √3

 

  1. Which devices are currently supported?
  • MCF8315C
  • MCF8316C

(Additional MCF831xD/MCF8329A device support is in development.)

 

  1. Which startup method is used? Can it be changed?

SmartTune selects either Align or IPD (Initial Position Detection) automatically based on motor saliency. The user can override this through optional settings, including PWM frequency and startup open loop tuning.

 

  1. What is the difference between 'No Load' and ‘Load' mode?
  • ‘No load’ mode should be selected for a motor with no mechanical load attached. Only speed control is supported.
  • ‘Load’ mode should be selected for a motor with a load connected to its shaft. Select an appropriate load (Fan/Pump) based on the end application.

 

  1. What are common SmartTune faults and their fixes?

Fault

Cause

Resolution

MPET IPD Fault

Motor winding or connection is open

Check all three motor phase wires connected properly

Supply voltage is too low, or the entered rated current is incorrect for the motor winding resistance

Check the entered rated current/voltage of the motor

DRVOFF is enabled

Check the DRVOFF pin status

MPET BEMF Fault

Motor current is low under the current load, so the motor is unable to spin

Check the entered rated current         

 

Incorrect motor rated speed prevents the motor from reaching the set speed given the entered voltage and current

Check the entered rated speed

Speed loop or Current loop saturation

Rated current or voltage is too low for the motor's rated speed, or the entered speed is too high for the rated current

Check the entered rated current/voltage/ speed

 

 

 

  1. What should I do if my motor doesn't have a datasheet?

If datasheet values are unavailable:

  • Start with end equipment specific JSON file provided in the FAQ
  • Increase current slowly to avoid triggering faults
  • Refer to SmartTune fault messages for clues
  • Ensure current is well below the motor driver’s peak capability and power supply limits

 

  1. What if SmartTune doesn’t terminate or loops continuously?

This typically indicates invalid input parameters.

 Fix:

  • Terminate SmartTune, Set Speed Command to 0%, Power cycle the board
  • Review and correct voltage, speed, or current inputs

 

  1. Can I save and reuse SmartTune configurations?

Yes. After a successful configuration:

  1. Go to the Register Map
  2. Click Read All
  3. Go to File > Save Registers (.json format)
  4. To reload: File > Load Registers