Embedded Solutions for Robotic Control Technology

Stuttgart, 06 March 2017 - At this year's Embedded World (14 - 16 March in Nuremberg), Synapticon GmbH will present in hall A3 at booth 421 several new products and solutions for embedded robotics. In particular, the focus is on drive and control technology for industrial robots, driverless transport systems (DTS) and consumer robots.

The SOMANET modules are a central component of the Synapticon GmbH portfolio. These are hardware and software components for the realization of robotic control systems. "The focus is on a powerful and at the same time cost-effective motor and motion control, as well as comfortable retrieval and integrated processing of sensor data," explains Nikolai Ensslen, founder and managing director of Synapticon." A SOMANET node can be individually configured and consists of three modules: a processor, a communication module and a module with power electronics for drives and sensor interfaces."

One such drive module is the new SOMANET IFM Drive DC1000. It has four phases and can thus also control brakes in addition to controlling the engine. The compact module supports up to three feedback systems for position and torque and operates in the low voltage range up to 60 volts. The DC1000 is compatible with PMSM, BLDC, DC brush motors and step motors. Synapticon's model-predictive, field-oriented control regulates motors via the power electronics in a particularly high-resolution and efficient way. Thanks to its specification, the new module is ideally suited for collaborative robotic arms and micro robotics, which are becoming increasingly popular in the industry.

An important extension of the SOMANET platform is a new rotary encoder from Synapticon. The REM 16MT is an absolute magnetic rotary encoder that offers many advantages, especially in the context of industrial robotics. The REM 16MT measures the axis angles with a high precision of 16 bits and counts axis revolutions up to 12 bits. Since the energy can be supplied by its own magnetic field by means of Energy Harvesting, the encoder is self-sufficient when the power supply is switched off and nevertheless detects position changes at any time. In robotics, this encoder can be used to replace expensive optical systems which are usually supplied with expensive battery buffers. This reduces the complexity of the design as well as the costs enormously.
At Embedded World, Synapticon presents itself not only as a technology provider and component supplier, but also as a provider of complete solutions for robotic applications.
"Our embedded solutions for robotic control technology address industrial robotics, collaborative robots, robotic products for the end consumer market and transport systems with autonomous navigation. This is how we cover an immense spectrum," explains Nikolai Ensslen. "We also notice that our customers are turning to us at different stages of development of their own products. We are now responding to this with a very targeted offer of flexible solutions."

The spectrum of engineering services encompasses the technological core of the Synapticon platform, the SOMANET system-on-chips, the customer-specific adaptation and expansion of software, individual and integrated modular design, but also the design and selection of complete drive solutions, including engine, transmission and mechanical structure.

As a practical example of an end product based on such an integrated drive solution from Synapticon, the company is showing a driverless transport system at the Embedded World. The drive concept was developed by the Embedded Systems specialist together with Nabtesco, a leading manufacturer of precision drives. The core feature is the Synapticon Integrated Drive Solution: an axis consisting of a PMSM motor, a Nabtesco cycloid transmission, and Synapticon drive controllers and software. It is suitable as a complete basic solution for DTS. Complemented by Synapticon's software package for autonomous navigation, the result is a complete solution to implement new DTS quickly and cost-effectively.

The development of products and services at Synapticon is being further driven by a recently announced capital increase. The company was able to gain equity with a high single-digit million figure through a new lead investor and other new and existing shareholders. The new capital will be invested, primarily in development, in addition to sales and the founding of a new location.

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About Synapticon
Synapticon GmbH, established 2010 in Gruibingen, Germany, is a young embedded systems company based in the region of Stuttgart and Silicon Valley. The company specializes in hardware and software for sensor and actuator-intensive, connected systems. Customers benefit from Synapticon's cross-domain expertise through flexible, powerful products and turn-key solutions for robotics, autonomous systems, smart industrial automation, special machinery and the Internet of Things. The Synapticon platform comprises the vertical product lines SOMANET and OBLAC. It enables developers of robotic control systems to easily configure, build and program distributed control systems with fully integrated actuator control, sensor data acquisition and data processing.
Synapticon has grown organically in recent years. The company now has:

• 47 employees, of which more than two thirds are engineers
• a new headquarter in Germany, which has recently been significantly expanded
• a subsidiary in Silicon Valley
• development and product partnerships with several international companies
• a broad portfolio of products, solutions and services
Further information: www.synapticon.com