Abstract: A power control system is provided for AC mains, including an input bridge rectifier connected to the AC power mains, and a buck regulator circuit connected to the DC output of the input bridge rectifier, the output of the buck regulator circuit providing a DC power output bus. A current sensor is connected to the output of the buck regulator circuit, and one or more capacitors is connected across the DC power output bus for receiving current from the buck regulator circuit. The buck regulator circuit is controlled to limit peak output current thereof.

Abstract: Networked automation systems having electric actuation from a high voltage source. The electric actuator includes a switch mode power supply coupled to the high voltage source as a principal power source. The networked automation systems include a controller device having an output network port wired to an input network port of the motor drive. The controller device is also coupled to an auxiliary source of power. Thus, a regulation circuit of the switch mode power supply can be coupled to the auxiliary source of power, thereby providing power for the regulation circuit at start up.

Abstract: A power control system is provided for AC mains, including an input bridge rectifier connected to the AC power mains, and a buck regulator circuit connected to the DC output of the input bridge rectifier, the output of the buck regulator circuit providing a DC power output bus. A current sensor is connected to the output of the buck regulator circuit, and one or more capacitors is connected across the DC power output bus for receiving current from the buck regulator circuit. The buck regulator circuit is controlled to limit peak output current thereof.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer incorporating a tape drive comprising a first torque-controlled motor and a second position-controlled motor, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, and a controller for controlling the energization of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is arranged to determine a control signal to be provided to the torque-controlled motor to set the tape tension, and to provide said control signal to the torque-controlled motor, determination of the control signal including determination of a component intended to compensate for the inertia of a spool of tape driven by the torque-controlled motor.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer incorporating a tape drive comprising a first torque-controlled motor and a second position-controlled motor, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, and a controller for controlling the energization of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is arranged to determine a control signal to be provided to the torque-controlled motor to set the tape tension, and to provide said control signal to the torque-controlled motor, determination of the control signal including determination of a component intended to compensate for the inertia of a spool of tape driven by the torque-controlled motor.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer incorporating a tape drive comprising a first torque-controlled motor and a second position-controlled motor, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, and a controller for controlling the energization of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is arranged to determine a control signal to be provided to the torque-controlled motor to set the tape tension, and to provide said control signal to the torque-controlled motor, determination of the control signal including determination of a component intended to compensate for the inertia of a spool of tape driven by the torque-controlled motor.

Abstract: An interpolator for a system, such as a motion control system, where a stream of values of at least a first command signal is communicated across a communications medium according to a predefined update rate. The integrator is configured to calculate at a higher rate relative to the update rate to generate at least one interpolated prediction of the first command signal.

Abstract: An interpolator for a system, such as a motion control system, where a stream of values of at least a first command signal is communicated across a communications medium according to a predefined update rate. The integrator is configured to calculate at a higher rate relative to the update rate to generate at least one interpolated prediction of the first command signal.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer incorporating a tape drive comprising a first torque-controlled motor and a second position-controlled motor, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, and a controller for controlling the energization of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is arranged to determine a control signal to be provided to the torque-controlled motor to set the tape tension, and to provide said control signal to the torque-controlled motor, determination of the control signal including determination of a component intended to compensate for the inertia of a spool of tape driven by the torque-controlled motor.

Abstract: A tape drive comprising two position-controlled motors, at least one of which is a closed-loop position-controlled motor, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, and a controller for controlling the energization of the motors such that the tape may be transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool supports. The controller is operative to energise both motors to drive the spools of tape in the direction of tape transport, to monitor tension in a tape being transported between spools mounted on the spool supports and to control the motors to maintain the monitored tension between predetermined limits.

Abstract: A tape drive comprising first and second motors, two tape spool supports on which spools of tape may be mounted, each spool being drivable by a respective one of said motors, a sensor for sensing tape motion between the spools, and a controller. The controller is adapted to receive a first signal indicating demanded tape motion, provide a first control signal to at least one of the motors, the first control signal being based upon said demanded tape motion and being configured to cause tape to be transported between spools mounted on the spool supports, receive a second signal from said sensor indicating actual tape motion in response to said first control signal, and provide a second control signal to at least one of the motors, the second control signal being based upon said first and second signals.