Controlling Magnetic Bearing Systems with a Digital Signal Processor

First, the succession of magnetic bearing systems designed at the Institute of Mechanics in Zurich is retraced briefly with special emphasis on the control aspects. The most recent examples make use of the digital signal processor. The main body of the paper contains a detailed description of the magnetic bearing control of our first DSP controlled system, a highly elastic rotor. Experimental results pennit to assess the advantages of the new control device. Future possibilities of magnetic bearing control layout are shortly indicated.