A digital signal processor network for robot axis control

A distributed control system built using a local area network of digital signal processor based controllers is described. By coordinating the single-loop controllers, the system allows the partitioning of different tasks on separate microcomputers and offers the advantages of expandability and modularity. Different strategies can be implemented by downloading of software in this distributed control system. Although the architecture of this control system is designed for robot control, the system is generally and fully programmable and does not assume any manipulator characteristics. AT&T DSP32 32-bit, 16-MHz digital signal processors are used in this design. Simulation of the control system software is tested on an IBM-AT with the AT&T DSP32 development tools, and these results are presented.<>