
Motors 7
Motors are key components of many embedded systems because they provide a
means to control the real world. Motors are used for everything from the vibrator
in a vibrating pager to moving the arm of a large industrial robot. All motors work
on the same principles of electromagnetism, and all function by applying power
to an electromagnet in some form or another. We won’t spend our time on
magnetic theory here. Instead, we will look at the basic motor types and their
applications in embedded systems.
Stepper Motors
Stepper motors come in three flavors: permanent-magnet, variable-reluctance,
and hybrid. Figure 7.1 shows a cross-sectional view