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BLDC Commutation Timing Calculator

Work out electrical frequency, six-step commutation interval, and a recommended control-loop rate for a trapezoidal (six-step) BLDC motor at a given mechanical speed.

Pole pairs = number of magnet pole pairs on the rotor (a "4-pole-pair" motor has 8 magnet poles). Six commutation steps occur per electrical revolution.

Electrical frequency

200.0 Hz

fe = (RPM / 60) × pole pairs

Commutation interval

833.3 µs

tstep = 1 / (6 × fe)

Hall edges per revolution

24

edges/rev = 6 × pole pairs

Recommended control loop rate

12.0 kHz

floop ≥ margin × 6 × fe
f_e = (RPM / 60) × pole_pairs
t_step = 1 / (6 × f_e)
edges_per_rev = 6 × pole_pairs
f_loop ≥ margin × 6 × f_e

Six discrete commutation states occur per electrical cycle in trapezoidal (six-step) control. The control/current loop should run well above the commutation rate — a common rule of thumb is 10× or more — so timing and current regulation stay accurate between steps.

References

  • Microchip AN885 — Brushless DC (BLDC) Motor Fundamentals
  • Microchip AN857 — Brushless DC Motor Control Made Easy