Incremental Encoder Speed Acquisition Using an STM32 Microcontroller and NI ELVIS

Precise motor control requires high accuracy of the rotor position through the incremental encoder. The speed and accuracy of the acquisition equipment (microcontroller) play an important element in terms of cost and efficiency. In this paper, the author presents alternative methods for speed acquisition from an incremental encoder. In the first stage of research, the main performances of the STM32 microcontroller, connected with an incremental encoder, will be analyzed and compared with two different acquisition systems, i.e., ELVIS II and a Unidrive M701 power inverter. Using the LabVIEW graphical programming language, a user-friendly, convenient, and flexible human-machine interface is designed. Due to the advantages provided by the STM32 microcontroller in terms of processing power, cost, and programming interface, the obtained results are accurate and consistent. Through experimental testing and analysis, the speed acquisition is stable for both developed software algorithms used for ELVIS II and STM32 platforms. It is the aim of the paper to propose a useful speed acquisition tool in low-cost, high-accuracy prototyping applications.