The 8-bit microcontroller continues to be a corner stone for embedded systems design where low-cost systems, legacy software and scaleable solutions remain deciding factors for new designs. Innovative enhancements to established 8-bit architectures are even beginning to invade application domains that were once dominated by higher performance, higher cost 16 and 32-bit architectures. This is particularly true in the area of motor control where designers are looking for energy efficient solutions at lowest system cost. Field Oriented Control (FOC), also known as Vector Control allows the manufacturers to reduce the size of the motor required and obtains higher energy efficiencies and better dynamic response. FOC implemented on a cost effective 8-bit µC offers an attractive solution for system designers of fans, compressors and motor drives used in end applications such as air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines and electric vehicles to achieve higher energy efficiency at lowest cost.

The FOC capable XC886 and XC888 MCUs incorporates an 8051 compatible core with the powerful Infineon Vector Computer. The Vector Computer incorporates several processing elements which include the CORDIC (Coordinate Rotational Digital Computer) unit and an MDU (Multiply and Divide Unit) both of which are capable of 16-bit math coupled with the 16-bit CapCom6E and a Fast ADC. The CORDIC provides a method for doing complex mathematical and trigonometric functions such as Clarke and Park algorithms required for vector rotation using addition, subtraction and shifting and a very short look-up table iteratively. While providing results with up to 16-bit resolution, the CORDIC functions independently from the CPU core thereby freeing up those resources for other control oriented tasks. The MDU is capable of performing 16 and 32-bit math operations and may be used instead of the standard 8051 MUL / DIV instructions.