An Improved Algorithm of Flat Knitting Machine's Needle Position Tracking

An improved algorithm of needle position tracking of flat knitting machine has been presented in this paper. It analyzes the floating-point calculation, which is the key time consumption in the traditional algorithm of needle position tracking with fixed-point DSP. The algorithm, based on Q-format, has been successfully applied to convert floating-point into fixed-point. A test platform of flat knitting machines has been built. As an experimental result, the efficiency of the improved algorithm of needle position tracking is triply improved comparing with the traditional algorithm.