About Motor Controllers
Motiv Space Systems designs and delivers advanced motion control solutions for the extreme environments of space. From earth orbit to deep space, to the cryogenic temperatures of the moon we have solutions to get you moving. Motiv’s innovative motor controllers drive everything from robots to deployment mechanisms. In most cases, the controllers can be tailored for your specific environment for radiation and parts pedigree to allow you to rapidly move from the lab to flight with the same architecture – saving you time and money.
Our team at Motiv can tailor all of our products to support any application you have in the extreme environments of space. Learn more about each motor controller in detail below or review a summary of each by comparing key motor controller features and components for use in space and planetary applications.
Leading The Industry
Motor Controllers
Universal Brushless/Stepper DC Motor Controller
Alpha-II Motor Controller
Motiv’s Alpha-II motor controller is an incredibly capable and flexible single channel robotic motion control card. It can be used for a wide variety of applications in nearly all domains. The Alpha-II controller is the most capable motor controller on the market.
Features
Single Axis Motor Controller Card
Supports 3-Phase BLDC or Stepper Motors
Stepper Modes: Full Step and Half Step
BLDC Control: Brake, Current, Position & Velocity
Commutation: Halls, Resolver, Absolute Encoder
Feedback: Resolvers, Inductosyns, Quadrature Encoders, Temperature Sensors, Strain Gauges, Potentiometers, Contact Switches
Operational Temperature Range: -55C to +125C
Features Continued
I/O port for configurable digital interfaces
Radiation Tolerance: Total Ionizing Dose 100kRad
Communication: RS-485
Telemetry: Motor Current, Bus Voltage, Board Temperature, User Defined Telemetry (External): 8+ analog channels
Physical Dimension: 23.6cm x 24.8cm Chassis Mount
Voltage or Power Handling: 20V – 100V Operations, up to 6A continuous (600W), 10A peak
Sample Applications
On-Orbit Servicing Robots (i.e. Restore-L RA), Large Planetary Robotics (i.e. M2020 RA), On-Orbit Assembly Robots
Precision Pointing Systems
Export Restrictions
Export of the Alpha-II Motor Controller is controlled under Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) 9A515.x and is available for sale in the countries listed in Group A:5 .
2 Channel Brushless/Stepper DC Motor Controller
Bravo Motor Controller
Motiv’s Bravo motor controller is a flexible two-channel controller capable of operating both Stepper and Brushless DC motors. The compact size and simplified power and commanding interfaces allows for unprecedented packaging and operational flexibility.
Features
Dual Axis Motor Controller Card
Supports 3-Phase BLDC or Stepper Motors
BLDC Control: Current, Velocity, & Position
Stepper Modes: Full Step and Half Step
Radiation Tolerance: Total Ionizing Dose 100kRad
Commutation: Hall Sensor
Communication: RS-422
Features Continued
Resolver Commutation and Feedback (custom option)
Feedback: Quadrature Encoders
Voltage/Power Handling: up to 2A per axis
Telemetry: Motor Current, Bus Voltage, Board Temperature, User Defined Telemetry (External): 8 analog channels
Physical Dimension: 75mm x 100mm Compact Form Factor
I/O port for configurable digital interfaces
Operational Temperature Range: -55C to +125C
Sample Applications
Gimbals
Positioners
Robotics
Focus Mechanisms
Filter Wheels
Cryo Coolers, etc
Instrument Mechanisms
Export Restrictions
Export of the Bravo Motor Controller is controlled under Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) 9A515.x and is available for sale in the countries listed in Group A:5 .
Brushless DC motor controller
Delta Motor Controller
Motiv’s Delta motor controller is a small form factor motor controller with the widest application space in the portfolio. With its unique mother-daughter board configuration, the Delta can be configured for practically any power output scenario with a wide variety of I/O making it adaptable to almost any application.
Features
Single Axis Motor Controller
Supports BLDC Motors and Stepper Motors
BLDC Control: Current, Velocity, & Position
I/O port for configurable digital interfaces
Radiation Tolerance: Total Ionizing Dose 30kRad, (100kRad available)
Commutation: Hall Sensor, Encoder, or Resolver
Features Continued
Feedback: Absolute Encoder, Multi-Speed Resolver Sensing, Inductosyns
Voltage/Power Handling: 28V Operations, 3A continuous – 6A Peak
Communication: RS-422
Physical Dimension: 75mm x 75mm
Telemetry: Motor Current, Bus Voltage, Board Temperature, User Defined Telemetry
Operational Temperature Range: -55°C to +125°C
Sample Applications
Gimbals
Robotics
Instrument Mechanisms
Filter Wheels
Capture Devices
Positioners
Cryo Coolers, etc
Export Restrictions
Export of the Delta Motor Controller is controlled under Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) 9A515.x and is available for sale in the countries listed in Group A:5 .
Brushless DC Motor Commutator
Echo Motor Controller
Motiv’s Echo motor controller provides the user a simple two-wire interface to control a brushless DC motor. Its compact size allows it to be packaged with the motor, making it ideal for deployments or replacing a heritage brushed motor solution.
Features
Brushless Commutation Enabled Via 2-Wire User Interface
Drive for Center Tapped WYE Wound BLDC Motor
Commutation: Hall Sensor
Operation: Motor direction changes with reversal of input voltage polarity or with optional logical inputs
Radiation Tolerance: Total Ionizing Dose 100kRad (COTS and Mil-Spec versions available)
Features Continued
Operational Temperature Range: -55°C to +125°C
Telemetry: Velocity Indicator Pulse Output; Current Sense Output
Voltage/Power Handling: 22V-36V and 1.3A continuous
Physical Dimension: 43mm Diameter
Drop-in Replacement For Heritage Brushed Motors
Sample Applications
Deployment Systems
Latch Releases
Pump Controls
Export Restrictions
Export of the Echo Motor Controller is controlled under Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) 9A515.x and is available for sale in the countries listed in Group A:5 .
Distributed Extreme Environments Drive Systems
Sierra Motor Controller
Motiv’s Sierra controller is an all-inclusive motion controller, that enables integrated capability for driving, controlling, and monitoring motion of a single degree-of-freedom. The controller’s high current output enables a wide array of demanding use cases, leading to unprecedented application flexibility. The Sierra controller also provides these capabilities through a wide range of extreme environments without the use of external heating sources, allowing for an easy-to-integrate platform.
Features
1x 3-phase BLDC Motor and
2x Electromagnetic Brakes
Commutation: Hall Sensor or Field Director
Operation: Current, Velocity and Position
Radiation Tolerance: Total Ionizing Dose 100kRad (COTS and Mil-Spec versions available)
Features Continued
Operational Temperature Range: -180°C to +80°C
Voltage/Power Handling: 6V-158V, 15A continuous and 20A Peak
Physical Dimension: 215mm x 212mm
Sample Applications
Wheel Drive Systems
Cargo Off-Load Systems
Lifting & Hoisting Mechanisms
Positioning Systems
Robotics
Export Restrictions
Export of the Echo Motor Controller is controlled under Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) 9A515.x and is available for sale in the countries listed in Group A:5 .