Blog

Staying Connected When Always on the Move - The Communication Backbone of Mobile Robots

2026-05-19T16:35:10Z

by Rafael Marengo We discussed how mobile robots navigate their environments through a variety of sensor types to collect data about the real world in the previous blog. However, we didn't explore how this data is communicated within the rob...(read more)

Using the MAX32630FTHR to read the 1V8 serial output from the Arduino Q debug port

2026-05-11T12:01:49Z

Introduction The MAX32630FTHR chip comes with a very handy feature. You can set the logic level for any GPIO in software. You can define your logic level either at 3V3 level (default) or at 1V8 logic level with the following commands: useVDDIOH(pin_n...(read more)

Stop, Look, Listen – How do Autonomous Mobile Robots Navigate their Environments?

2026-03-04T15:25:39Z

by Sarvesh Pimpalkar Previously we discussed the importance that inertial measurement units (IMUs) play in localization for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in a Localization: The Key to Truly Autonomous Mobile Robots - element14 Community. Today we ...(read more)

Localization: The Key to Truly Autonomous Mobile Robots

2026-01-09T16:47:59Z

by Sarvesh Pimpalkar In our previous blog Finding the Right Fit for your Industrial Automation Need - AGVs or AMRs we explored the key differences between Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). One major takea...(read more)

Exploring Automation Possibilities with the ADALM1K Learning Kit

2025-12-05T00:45:03Z

Summary: During my search for a low cost electronics learning module, I came accross the ADALM1K which has interesting features for the price point (approx. 70$). It incorporates a source measure unit (SMU), an oscilloscope and a function generator. ...(read more)

Finding the Right Fit for your Industrial Automation Need - AGVs or AMRs

2025-10-07T15:34:32Z

by Shane O'Meara This blog marks the second instalment in our ongoing series, delving into the fast-evolving landscape of industrial mobile robots. We initially examined how Industrial Mobile Robotics are revolutionizing the Factory of ...(read more)

Industrial Mobile Robotics - Revolutionizing the Factory of the Future Today

2025-09-04T11:48:00Z

by Anders Frederiksen & Margaret Naughton Welcome to the first installment in our blog series exploring the dynamic world of industrial mobile robots. As industries continue to push the boundaries of automation, mobile robots are becomi...(read more)

Rev Up Your Motor Control with Current Sensing

2025-05-07T15:14:43Z

We examined the power inverter, the power electronics block that sits at the heart of every motor drive, in the previous blog in this series . It is the controllable power element that enables modulation of the power to the motor in or...(read more)

The Inverter Stage: Unlocking the Power of Power Electronics

2025-03-28T10:47:15Z

The inverter stage is the “muscle” of the drive – a power electronics block that provides the regulated, conditioned power directly to the motor, driving it in the manner required by the end application, providing the amperes needed...(read more)

Powering Your Drive – Final Thoughts

2025-03-03T12:07:00Z

We addressed the requirements and circuits needed within a variable speed drive (VSD) to provide the main control power supply and the power supplies for the inverter electronics – namely gate drivers and current sense circuits in the prev...(read more)

Powering Your Drive - It's More Than Just Plugging It In

2025-02-14T09:32:21Z

The last blog addressed the AC input stage of the motor drive. This is primarily an AC-DC power conversion stage where the AC input power is converted to a DC level that provides the input to the main three-phase inverter. Several other power do...(read more)

Getting Plugged In: The AC Input Stage of a Variable Speed Drive

2025-01-02T09:43:21Z

The previous blog in the series gave a snapshot overview of the different elements that make up a variable speed drive (VSD). The block diagram is expanded in more detail in Fig. 1 below, where the different parts of the drive as well as th...(read more)

Variable Speed Drive 101

2024-12-10T18:28:29Z

This blog is focused on the basic working of the variable speed drive - a critical component in enabling precise and accurate motor control in applications such as conveyors, winding, printing, extrusion machinery, and many other industrial applicati...(read more)

Motor Control for the 4th Industrial Revolution

2024-11-21T17:11:29Z

This blog looks at how motor control architectures and functions are evolving to meet the requirements of Industry 4.0 – from simple grid-connected motors to complex multi-axis servo drive solutions. This evolution has been accelerated by the i...(read more)

Saving the Planet One Motor at a Time

2024-10-09T16:38:44Z

This blog series will look at motor drives from many different angles - from architectures to power management, from connectivity to cybersecurity, and much more in between. We are starting from the top down and this first blog looks at how making mo...(read more)