Application Note
Universal Motor Control with Z8 Encore!
XP® 8-Pin Highly Integrated Microcontroller
AN023503-0608
Abstract
This Application Note discusses programmable
speed control of a Universal Motor using Zilog’s
Z8 Encore! XP® 8-pin microcontroller unit
(MCU). In this application, based on the array of
innovative on-chip integrated digital and analog
hardware blocks, speed control requires a mini-
mum set of external components and firmware
development.
Note: The source code file associated with
this application note, AN0235-
SC01.zip is available for down-
load at www.zilog.com.
Motor control attributes including synchronization
of MCU output signals based on the Zero Crossing
of the AC line voltage and Speed Control are also
discussed in this document.
Note: This application discussed in this
document is tested with ZDS II ver-
sion 4.9.6. Subsequent releases of
ZDS II may require you to modify
code supplied with this Application
Note.
Z8 Encore!® Flash Microcontrollers
Z8 Encore! products are based on the eZ8™ CPU
and introduce Flash memory to Zilog’s extensive
line of 8-bit MCU. Flash memory in-circuit pro-
gramming capability allows for faster development
time and program changes in the field. The high-
performance register-to-register based architecture
of the eZ8 core maintains backward compatibility
with Zilog’s Z8® MCU.
Copyright ©2008 by Zilog®, Inc. All rights reserved.
www.zilog.com
Z8 Encore! MCUs combine a 20 MHz core with
Flash memory, linear-register SRAM, and an
extensive array of on-chip peripherals. These
peripherals make the Z8 Encore! MCU suitable for
a variety of applications including motor control,
security systems, home appliances, personal elec-
tronic devices, and sensors.
MDS GP Application Board
Overview
Zilog's general-purpose modular development
system application board (MDS GP) is a platform
for designing innovative applications using the Z8
Encore! and eZ80Acclaim!® MDS-compatible
microcontroller modules. The MDS GP application
board features a character LCD display, a keypad
matrix, 512 KB of fast SRAM, two relays with a
terminal block, six high-drive outputs with
terminal blocks, and a RS-485 interface/screw ter-
minal block. Battery operation is supported to add
portability and mobility to your design.
The MDS GP application board acts as the perfect
foundation for innovative development ideas with
compatible connectors for the optional Trimble
Lasson SQ GPS module, the Maxstream Wireless
Data module (900 MHz or 2.4 GHz), and the
Dinsmore 1490 Digital Compass, along with a
large breadboard area.
Discussion
The Z8 Encore! XP Flash MCU is based on Zilog's
advanced eZ8 8-bit CPU core and is ideally suited
for implementation in Universal Motor control
systems. Target applications include home
appliances, power tools, and industrial automation.
 Universal Motor Control with Z8 Encore! XP® 8-Pin Highly Integrated Microcontroller
Figure 1 displays a block diagram of the device.
Here, the rich set of on-chip integrated analog
peripherals allows for realization of a number of
TM
Figure 1. Block Diagram of Z8 Encore! XP® Flash MCU
The 10-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) pro-
vides for data conversion of up to eight single-
ended/differential channels with the choice of 1x or
20x differential input gain. Also, for high precision
current measurements, an integrated on-chip
transimpedance amplifier is integrated in the ADC
module, eliminating the need for an additional
external component.
Along with the multi-channel ADC, the device's
two enhanced 16-bit timer blocks featuring PWM
and Capture and Compare capability can be used to
operate two loads (motors) simultaneously. The
direct LED drive output can be used to trigger
LEDs at the onset of a pre-defined event, without
the need for additional hardware. Other features
include the integrated analog comparator, the Fail-
Safe oscillator mechanism providing for reliable
AN023503-0608
enhanced control features, and also provides for
low overall system cost.
operation, an on-chip integrated temperature sen-
sor, and up to 128 B of NVDS.
Theory of Operation
Universal motors are used in a variety of applica-
tions. These motors require relatively simple
electronic drive circuit topologies and exhibit good
power density (power/weight ratio) characteris-
tics. Typical applications that use Universal motors
include portable power tools, food processors, and
mixers.
This section describes the motor’s key control
attributes such as Speed Control and determination
of the AC line's Zero Crossing characteristics
aimed at subsequent synchronization of the MCU
output signals.
Page 2 of 8
 Universal Motor Control with Z8 Encore! XP® 8-Pin Highly Integrated Microcontroller

Figure 2 displays the block diagram of the Univer-
sal motor system. Figure 3 on page 4 displays the
Universal motor control application board. In ref-
erence to this system, ramping up of the power
delivered to the motor is realized via controlling
the triggering/firing angle of the TRIAC using a
single I/O output of the MCU.
For controlling the motor speed, the firing angle of
TRIAC is to be synchronized with the AC line
voltage, thus detecting the time instants for zero
crossing of AC line voltage. In this case, the on-
chip integrated analog comparator is used.
Figure 4 on page 5 displays the motor voltage for
different TRIAC firing angles.

20 MHz
eZ8TM CPU

Figure 2. Block Diagram of Universal Motor Control System

AN023503-0608 Page 3 of 8
 Universal Motor Control with Z8 Encore! XP® 8-Pin Highly Integrated Microcontroller

Power Supply Capacitors

8-Pin Z8 Encore! XP®

MCU
Potentiometer
for Speed
Adjustment

Universal Motor
Control

Debug
Interface

Motor and Line

Connections

TRIAC Heat Sink

and Ground Plate

Figure 3. Universal Motor Control Application Board

AN023503-0608 Page 4 of 8
 Universal Motor Control with Z8 Encore! XP® 8-Pin Highly Integrated Microcontroller

Summary
This Application Note demonstrates the use of the
Z8 Encore XP! MCU for Universal motor control
applications. The MCU's wide array of innovative,
integrated digital and analog modules result in
optimized control of the motor speed along with
fault protection during an overload condition. In
addition, on-chip integration of these features pro-
vides for reduced system cost and faster develop-
ment cycle time.

References
The documents associated with Z8 Encore! XP®
available on www.zilog.com are provided below:

• Z8 Encore! XP® F082A Series Product Brief

(PB0136)
• Errata for Z8 Encore! XP® F082A Series Prod-
uct Update (UP0069)

Figure 4. Motor Voltage: 18, 90, and 162 Degree

TRIAC Firing Angles

AN023503-0608 Page 5 of 8
 Universal Motor Control with Z8 Encore! XP® 8-Pin Highly Integrated Microcontroller

Appendix A—Glossary
Definitions for terms and abbreviations used in this Application Note that are not commonly used are listed
Table 1.

Table 1. Glossary

Term/Abbreviation Definition

ADC Analog-to-Digital Converter

MCU Microcontroller unit

MDS GP General-purpose modular development system (application board)

NVDS Non Volatile Data Storage

PWM Pulse Width Modulation

AN023503-0608 Page 6 of 8
 Universal Motor Control with Z8 Encore! XP® 8-Pin Highly Integrated Microcontroller

Appendix B—Schematics
Appendix B displays the schematics of Z8 Encore! XP Universal Motor Control reference design.
5 4 3 2 1

High Voltage Use 83 mil or greater spacing

HV_LINE F1 J4
FUSE LINE
R1 R5 1/4W Through Hole SPADE CONN
220k 5
Digikey
1206 Digikey Keystone
9C12063A2203JLHFT P1 1286 VCC_33V VCC_33V
2
D D1 + C1 D
3
J5
US1J 1
SMA 6.8uF/400V
PWR JACK MOTOR+ DBG R15
HV_CAP Through Hole R14 10K
SPADE CONN VCC_33V INTERFACE 10K
Digikey
D2 EKXG401ELL6R8MJ16S Digikey J1
C2 Through Hole NRESET
HV_LIN_DIV US1J +
6.8uF/400V Keystone 1 2 DBG
SMA Digikey 3 4
1286 5 6
D3 UVR1C221MED
Header 3x2

1N4148W-7 C3 + High Current Use 200 mil 2 oz traces

SOD123

3
R7
R2 2 220uF/16V
220k 6.1k

3
1206 Digikey D4 1N4739A
Q3

1
9C12063A2203JLHFT 1
DO-41 2N2222
C
VCC_33V C

3
C4

2
2 TO-92
0.1uF VCC_33V
D5 BZX84-C4V3

1
SOT23
High Voltage Use 83 mil or greater spacing R16
R9 100
1.0k
C7 J6
C9 R10 HV_SWITCH GRN
R3 R4 PULL_UP CAP MOTOR- J3

2
4.99k 4.99k 0.01uF

3
0.1uF R8 47 SPADE CONN D6 DRIVE
1

2
U1 DRIVE 1 Q2 C5 Q1 NRESET
MMBT2222A GRN 2
Digikey 0805
1 8 330 4.7uF/16V
VCC_33V VDD VSS Keystone
VREF HDR/PIN 1x2

1
1286 J2
3
DBG 2 7 VLINE GATE 3
PA0/DBG PA5/CINP G_LED
R17 BTA24-800BW DBG 1
VREF R18 2

1
B 3 PA1/T0OUT PA4/ANA1 6 2 B
TO-220 Mounted on
C6 C10 10k 100K 0805 Digikey HDR/PIN 1x2
NRESET 4 5 CURRENT Underside of Board
PA2/RESET PA3/T1IN 0.01uF ECJ-2FB1C475K
1

0.1uF
Z8F042ASB020EC R12
SOIC8 I_SENSE
R11
10k
10k E3
1
Through Hole MTHOLE
R13
C8 0.005 3W Digikey E1
13FR005 1
MTHOLE 125" Mounting holes
0.01uF
E2
on four corners
J7
1
MTHOLE
NEUTRAL
Notes: E4
SPADE CONN 1
A MTHOLE A
High Voltage Nets (HV_) Use 83 mil or greater spacing Digikey
Keystone
High Current Use 200 mil 2 oz traces (enclosed in Boxes) 1286
Title
XP UNIVERSAL MOTOR CONTROL REF DESIGN
All caps and resistors are 0603 unless otherwise marked High Current Use 200 mil 2 oz traces
Size Document Number Rev
B XXXXXXX-XXX A

Date: Tuesday, September 20, 2005 Sheet 1 of 1

5 4 3 2 1

Figure 5. Z8 Encore! XP Universal Motor Control Reference Design

AN023503-0608 Page 7 of 8
 Universal Motor Control with Z8 Encore! XP® 8-Pin Highly Integrated Microcontroller

Warning: DO NOT USE IN LIFE SUPPORT

LIFE SUPPORT POLICY

ZILOG'S PRODUCTS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR USE AS CRITICAL COMPONENTS IN LIFE
SUPPORT DEVICES OR SYSTEMS WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PRIOR WRITTEN APPROVAL OF
THE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL OF ZILOG CORPORATION.

As used herein
Life support devices or systems are devices which (a) are intended for surgical implant into the body, or (b)
support or sustain life and whose failure to perform when properly used in accordance with instructions for
use provided in the labeling can be reasonably expected to result in a significant injury to the user. A
critical component is any component in a life support device or system whose failure to perform can be
reasonably expected to cause the failure of the life support device or system or to affect its safety or
effectiveness.

Document Disclaimer
©2008 by Zilog, Inc. All rights reserved. Information in this publication concerning the devices,
applications, or technology described is intended to suggest possible uses and may be superseded. ZILOG,
INC. DOES NOT ASSUME LIABILITY FOR OR PROVIDE A REPRESENTATION OF ACCURACY
OF THE INFORMATION, DEVICES, OR TECHNOLOGY DESCRIBED IN THIS DOCUMENT.
Z I L O G A L S O D O E S N O T A S S U M E L I A B I L I T Y F O R I N T E L L E C T U A L P R O P E RT Y
INFRINGEMENT RELATED IN ANY MANNER TO USE OF INFORMATION, DEVICES, OR
TECHNOLOGY DESCRIBED HEREIN OR OTHERWISE. The information contained within this
document has been verified according to the general principles of electrical and mechanical engineering.

eZ8, Z8, Z8 Encore!, Z8 Encore! XP, and eZ80Acclaim! are trademarks or registered trademarks of Zilog,
Inc. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners.

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