Reconfigurable Controllers—A Mechatronic Systems Approach

Abstract

This chapter covers the design and implementation of reconfigurable controllers based on modern reconfigurable FPGAs for mechatronic systems. The partial reconfiguration of FPGAs enables a dynamic adaptation of the designed controller functionalities to varying hardware requirements. The chapter introduces a design methodology for partially reconfigurable systems with a specific mechatronic design and implementation approach. Moreover, the design methodology comprises an implicit and distributed reconfiguration management with hard real-time capabilities. The use of reconfigurable hardware in mechatronic systems is also supplemented by infrastructural components and functional groups included in the design and implementation flow. The applicability and performance of the design and implementation methodology are verified with a selected application of a mechatronic control system.