Product category:
Microprocessors, Microcontrollers and DSPs
News Release from: Texas Instruments (April 2001-March 2006) | Subject: Segway Human Transporter
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 14 December 2001
DSP keeps Segway Human Transporter on
the level
The Segway Human Transporter is using TI's TMS320C2000 DSP platform for closed-loop motor control and balance computation.
The Segway Human Transporter, the first self-balancing, electric-powered transportation machine, is using TI's TMS320C2000 DSP platform to implement closed-loop motor control and balance computation "TI is excited that the TMS320LF2406A was chosen for the Segway HT
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 8 Nov 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Data buffer has dual multiplexer
Texas Instruments has introduced the industry's first 0- to 4-Gbps data buffer/signal conditioner with a dual multiplexer.
Reference design for wireless optical comms
A new technology from Texas Instruments dramatically cuts the cost and complexity of bringing the high-speed datarates of optical networking to end users.
This revolutionary product is a great example of the innovations made possible with our technology, and it is exciting to see such inventive end-products based on our DSPs", said Christophe Chene, director of the Digital Control Systems business unit at TI.
"TI's C2000 DSPs are optimised for digital control, providing customers with the integration and performance needed to develop such products".
Segway chose TI's LF2406A DSP because of the high-processing performance and peripheral integration that it offers.
Further reading
TI adds low-cost and high-integration DSP pair
Texas Instruments has unveiled the latest pair of programmable DSPs in its ultra-power-efficient TMS320C55x family of digital signal processors.
Triple-output power modules shrink ADSL designs
Texas Instruments has unveiled two new triple-output plug-in power solutions for asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) applications.
Contemporary designers often choose DSPs for digital control because modern control algorithms demand a high level of MIPS-intensive real-time processing capabilities, which microcontrollers cannot provide.
In the Segway HT, the LF2406A was specifically used to control two motors with a single DSP.
In addition, it was used to perform the intensive balance computation needed to allow users the stabilisation desired when using this product.
Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway HT, and his team developed a breakthrough technology the company calls "dynamic stabilisation", which enables Segway HT's self-balancing emulation to work seamlessly with the body's movements.
TI's DSPs were integrated into this dynamic balancing component.
In addition to the DSP, the Segway HT uses devices from TI's logic group.
These devices include the 74AHCT1G125DCK single bus buffer gate with tristate output, CD74HCT4051M96 and CD74HCT4053M96 high-speed CMOS logic analogue multiplexers/demultiplexers, and the SN74HCT04DR hex inverter.
TI continues to develop logic devices that lead the industry in performance and support and offer features necessary to enhance DSP-based system designs, while also providing a glueless interface with TI's high-performance DSP product families.
"We chose the Texas Instruments LF2406A DSP not only because it offered the performance needed to be innovative and the high-level of peripheral integration that allowed us to meet our small form factor requirements, but also because of TI's commitment to developing next-generation silicon", said J Douglas Field, vice president of product development and chief engineer, Segway LLC.
The LF2406A DSP, operating at 40MIPS, gives the customer the needed performance to develop innovative products and saves designers months of development time allowing them to get the product to market quicker.
It also offers 32Kword of integrated on-chip Flash memory, which enables field code upgrades of the Segway HT after it leaves the factory.
In addition, the programmable password Flash security feature of the LF2406A protects the customer code investment and intellectual property.
• Texas Instruments (April 2001-March 2006): contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Electronicstalk email newsletter
• Electronicstalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
