Electronic circuit and method for adjusting start-up characteristics of drive signals applied to an electric motor

A motor control circuit for driving a multi-phase motor having a plurality of motor windings, the motor control circuit comprising a start-up control module configured to:

• receive, from outside of the motor control circuit, a selection signal;
• identify set of parameter values from among a plurality of different sets of parameter values retained on the motor control circuit, wherein the plurality of different sets of parameter values is indicative of a corresponding plurality of different start-up signal characteristics of a plurality of drive signals coupled to the plurality of motor windings, wherein at least two of the plurality of different sets of parameter values are indicative of rotation of the multi-phase motor in the same direction, the identifying done in accordance with the selection signal;
• and
• determine, in accordance with the identified set of parameter values, the start-up signal characteristics of the plurality of drive signals coupled to the plurality of motor windings, wherein the determined start-up signal characteristics of the plurality of drive signals comprise a respective ramped start-up of the electric motor during a respective ramp-up time period during a start-up mode of operation;
• wherein the motor control circuit is configured to:
• generate the plurality of drive signals comprising the determined start-up signal characteristics to start the multi-phase motor spinning.

A method of driving, with a motor control circuit, a multi-phase motor having a plurality of motor windings, the method comprising:

• receiving, from outside of the motor control circuit, a selection signal;
• identifying, with the motor control circuit, a set of parameter values from among a plurality of sets of parameter values retained on the motor control circuit, the identifying done in accordance with the selection signal;
• determining, in accordance with the identified set of parameter values, with the motor control circuit, start-up signal characteristics of a plurality of drive signals coupled to the plurality of motor windings, wherein the determined start-up signal characteristics of the plurality of drive signals comprise a ramped start-up of the electric motor during a ramp-up time period during a start-up mode of operation;
• generating, with the motor control circuit, the plurality of drive signals comprising the determined start-up signal characteristics to start the multi-phase motor spinning;
• and
• receiving, from outside of the motor control circuit, a motor voltage signal, wherein the identifying the set of parameter values is done in accordance with both the selection signal and the motor voltage signal.

A motor control circuit for driving a multi-phase motor having a plurality of motor windings, the motor control circuit comprising a start-up control module configured to:

• receive, from outside of the motor control circuit, a selection signal;
• identify set of parameter values from among a plurality of sets of parameter values retained on the motor control circuit, the identifying done in accordance with the selection signal;
• and
• determine, in accordance with the identified set of parameter values, start-up signal characteristics of a plurality of drive signals coupled to the plurality of motor windings, wherein the determined start-up signal characteristics of the plurality of drive signals comprise a ramped start-up of the electric motor during a ramp-up time period during a start-up mode of operation;
• wherein the motor control circuit is configured to:
• generate the plurality of drive signals comprising the determined start-up signal characteristics to start the multi-phase motor spinning, wherein the start-up control module is further configured to:
• receive a motor voltage signal, and to identify the set of parameter values in accordance with both the selection signal and the motor voltage signal.