What is FOC? (Field Oriented Control) And why you should use it! || BLDC Motor

In this video I will show you how Field Oriented Control (FOC) works and what advantages it offers in comparison to traditional ESCs. Along the way I will also present the TMC-4671 IC from Trinamics which features hardware that offers the FOC functionality for motors.

Websites which were shown/used in the video (useful):

Thanks to Trinamic Motion Control for sponsoring this video

Music:
2011 Lookalike by Bartlebeats

[greatscottlab]

Do you like the small animations in the video or do you prefer my hand drawn style? Let me know!

[emadeloc]

Do you know who should sponsor your videos?
A markers company.

[AtulVinayakS]

You wasted an opportunity to title the video "What the FOC!"

[backdoornutzer]

I like the animation style for moving things because it adds more movement to the video.
Especially when working with motors.

[kickinbackinOC]

That video was written right spot-on to my level of understanding. For me, it was perfect! I really liked the explanation of when is the best time to energize a stator coil, for a given angle of the rotor. And further it was explained that since current lags voltage in an inductor, the timing of when to energize the stator coil has to be adjusted as well.
Really excellent stuff! 👍

[John-lcvl]

Love how you explained everything I can actually understand how this works and what not to do, animations are definitely a plus thanks

[chopperlw]

Of all the FOC explainers on here, yours is by far the most enlightening. THANKS!

[felixman]

I come back to this video at least once or twice a year. Thanks for making this.

[markoantesic]

This was more a presentation on SVM - space vector modulation- then on FOC. Strictly speaking FOC is just what you skipped over at 6:40. Also while dedicated FOC chips seem nice, modern microcontrolers are more then capable running the whole thing in software. E.G. I have used and seen Texas instruments piccolo/delfino chips run multiple motors in FOC with no problem. I have seen 1 delfino uP run a "12 phase" motor (like if you had 4 motors on the same shaft, each runing its own foc) with no problems.

[standbyme]

I'm not much on idols but you are well on your way. Thank you for dedicating so much time to learning us a few things.

[mattquick]

6:45 ah yes, the time honored tradition of highlighting everything in a diagram. ;P

[pavlosvasileiou]

Great Video as always, but I’d like to point out one thing only. This flux current (direct current or Id) isn’t just representing Power Losses. It really depends on the application and it comes down to the algorithm which you use to implement FOC such as MTPA (Maximum Torque Per Ampere), Constant torque etc. Also, this direct current will really help you achieve more RPM for the same Power in the exchange of some Torque. This phenomenon is called MFW (Magnetic Field Weakening).
Anyways, great channel, keep it up man! You’re a great motivation for a lot of young Engineers!

[northshorepx]

I never really was able to picture the theory here before! Your videos really help the mathematics (of the theory) come to life. Thanks.

[Roberto-ddte]

I've never seen a donkey in a datasheet before

[gudenau]

Your sponsored videos can really stand by themselves, and that's pretty good.

[aaronwest]

I'm so deeply interested in these motors for some reason. I'm a diesel engine mechanic with mere basic understanding of electricity and barely that much when it comes to electronics. Your channel has been very helpful sir, I thank you for that. I am on this epic journey of building my own driver for this rather large bldc motor I have. Something that would probably be relatively simple for you. Nevertheless, I'm committed.

That ic seems incredulous. The frequency of switching is beyond comprehension. Will definitely be snooping around their website today. Great video 👍

[RMIXMODZ]

0:37
field is pronouced (feeld) like the word feel but with a d at the end

[richardbloemenkamp]

ESC technology is really a very interesting topic. I hope you keep on digging deeper and eventually are able to come up with a great design for us all to make ourselves, based on for example this chip plus standard MOSFET's, some microcontroler and a homemade Hall-sensor-based axis-positon controller. Efficiency and accuracy may be a bit lower but controlling reasonably high-current BLDC's would be nice. Would that make sense or should we just buy O-drive or VESC's for about $100 because it is too complex and because the standard components added up are equally expensive.

[tomwin]

Sending your company' stuff to GreatScott is best way of marketing, I guess (but only if your product is seriously good)

[RandomHacks]

It makes me nervous when you use a screwdriver as a pointer for your oscilloscope 😅