eTPU2 and GTM 3 for Electric motor control (inverter)

[ivonenand]

Hi Guys,

I would like to ask about the eTPU2+ and the GTM 3 peripherals, particularly, which one is more suitable for a motor inverter (for PMSM). The last microcontroller NXP released particularly for this task is MPC5775E, which uses the eTPU2+ to generate PWM, process resolver data and the FOC. However, the competition does not seem to faivor the eTPU. ST actually calls it "legacy" and uses GTM instead in their newer processors. Infineon and their TriCore also use the GTM. But, NXP kind of seems to be supporting both of these two peripherals, as the MPC5777M for example, also has the GTM.

Both of the eTPU and GTM can probably be configured to do the same task, quite possibly with very similar performance. So I would like to ask, if anyone has any experiences with these two, which one is more suitable for a motor inverter? I have been with two companies now that have developed inverters, but we never used any advanced peripheral like these two.

Thank you for any experiences you may share,

Regards,

Ivo

[davidtosenovjan]

eTPU and GTM are completely different modules offering similar functionality, lets says very sophisticated timers:

https://www.nxp.com/design/software/development-software/enhanced-time-processor-unit:eTPU?&fsrch=1&...

https://www.nxp.com/design/automotive-software-and-tools/generic-timer-module-configuration-tool-for...

GTM requires GTM configuration tool (1 @ US$4000.00) and it is mainly suitable for engine management. It is based on Bosch IP, and it is offered by more suppliers as you mentioned what can be advantage in certain cases. I have almost no knowledge of GTM, but its reference manual mentions certain support for PMSM so apparently it is possible to use it for this purpose.

eTPU is proprietary Motorola/Freescale/NXP IP. It does not require any cost in case wide offer of eTPU function pre-prepared by NXP fulfil user’s needs (PMSM included):

https://www.nxp.com/webapp/etpu/

https://www.nxp.com/webapp/etpu_cw/

If user needs to create your own function or modify existing NXP’ function, it would require additional cost for eTPU development studio (from US$995.00 to US$4995.00 according compiler and license). Two solution exist for this:

https://www.ashware.com/etpu2-simulators

https://www.nxp.com/design/software/development-software/codewarrior-development-tools/codewarrior-l...

Both solutions are supposed to be used with future products and from NXP point of view none of this is “legacy”. Both options could bring similar results. eTPU is more suitable for mass market for its better versatility, GTM may be preferred by certain big automotive companies.

Hope it helps