dither frequency with pwm to drive proportional valve

[mshh]

i am planning to drive proportional valve using pwm by atmega. i will functions of ramp up and down in c code . dither frequency is needed to avoid stiction of the valve and to smooth the pwm signal . this dither frequency is ranging from 70–350 Hz and amplitude 0–10% of maximum current . the question here is how to do the dither in software programming?

 

[KlausST]

Hi,

Either you calculate your dither so that there is still a low stiction, then the regulation loop is improved, because the stiction error is smaller than before. But ther still remains an error.
Or you calculate dither so that the valve continously moves (with dither frequency) around its optimal position. This causes best regulation results. Ther is no hysteresis you need to compensate, and the errir is about zero.
The problem is that the steady movement will wear out the valve. You need to replace it in a relativeky short maintenance period.

Maybe there is a way to switch dither on when needed, and off the othef time....

Klaus

 

[mshh]

Hi,

Either you calculate your dither so that there is still a low stiction, then the regulation loop is improved, because the stiction error is smaller than before. But ther still remains an error.
Or you calculate dither so that the valve continously moves (with dither frequency) around its optimal position. This causes best regulation results. Ther is no hysteresis you need to compensate, and the errir is about zero.
The problem is that the steady movement will wear out the valve. You need to replace it in a relativeky short maintenance period.

Maybe there is a way to switch dither on when needed, and off the othef time....

Klaus

i didn't get you , waht do you want to say ?what is your suggestion to solve this?

 

[KlausST]

Hi,

What exactely is unclear?

Do you want the valve to move with your dither frequency or not?

Klaus

 

[mshh]

yes i want . and i asked how but your answer didn't give me a clear solution

 

[KlausST]

Hi,

You just need to know the mathematics / code of the dither?

If dither is sine then
Dither = A_dither * sin ( 2* Pi * f_dither * t). Or you use a table.
Then add this dither to your actual pwm value. That's all.

Mind to update the pwm value snychronous to pwm frequency (or integer parts of it, means every second, third ...)
Use interrupts.

Klaus

 

[mshh]

why sine ? i saw it in datasheets of some cards and it is pulses its frequency ranges from 100 - 200hz.
https://www.google.com.eg/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bucherhydraulics.com%2Fbausteine.net%2Ff%2F9265%2FSAN-527_400-P-512101-E-01.pdf%3Ffd%3D3&ei=FAxWVZe2IMrjUd2EgMgP&usg=AFQjCNEvKv4NOQ-econehW9yMP9jM7XDjg&bvm=bv.93564037,d.ZGU

 

[KlausST]

Hi,

with

If dither is sine then

i leave it on you to choose any other waveform..


Klaus

- - - Updated - - -

Hi, again..

frequency ranges from 14 - 200hz

I used a fixed frequency rather than a spread spectrum..

Klaus

 

[mshh]

how to implement it in microcontroller?

 

[mshh]

i am wondering if i could generate pwm by timer2 as a dither frequency and superimpose it on the pwm by timer 1 ? could i do that?

 

[KlausST]

Hi,

A regulation loop should always run with a very fixed timing. This ensures calculable loop stability. Often this is controlled by a timer.
As you run a PWM you most probably need a timer periferal for it. And most probably the PWM (timer) periferal can raise an interrupt.

Example:
Maybe you have a PWM running with 1kHz and you want a dither frequency of 20Hz.
Then itshould be able the generate the interrupts at the 1kHz PWM frequency.
Now divide 1kHz by 20Hz and get 50. Means it needs 50 pwm interrupts for one complete dither fullwave.

It should be possible to generate a table with 50 values of your dither waveform.
In the interrupt routine increment a counter running from 0 to 49 as pointer to the dither values.
Pick the dither value and add it to the regulation loop output and store it to the PWM register.

Finished.

Klaus