Getting Started Guides

Here is an attempt to guide you through testing and configuring your motor control system step-by-step. It is designed to be practical and fast - you should be able to get a working motor control system in around an hour by following these steps. Each step is self-contained and testable, guiding you through the configuration, expected behavior, and troubleshooting. And if you want to go further, there are clear next steps based on your hardware setup.

Before You Start

You have installed SimpleFOC
You are familiar with the library structure
You have the necessary hardware

Foundation Steps (All Users)

Follow these 4 guides in order. Each takes 10-15 minutes and builds on the previous one:

1. Test Your Sensor

~10 min - Validate that your position sensor is working
➜ Output angle and velocity values in serial monitor

2. Test Your Driver

~10 min - Verify motor driver can output PWM signals
➜ See “Driver ready!” message, no motors spinning yet

3. Motor + Driver Test (Open-Loop)

~15 min - Test motor and driver together
➜ Motor spins, you discover correct pole pair count

4. Closed-Loop Control (Voltage-Based Torque)

~15 min - First closed-loop FOC using sensor feedback
➜ Closed loop torque control working, motor follows torque/velocity/angle targets

For many users the foundation steps are all you need to get a working motor control system. Voltage mode is not the most efficient or precise control method, but it is simple and works with most motors.

Advanced Steps (Optional)

If you want to go further and use more advanced current-based torque control, follow the next steps based on your hardware.

A. Estimated Current Control (No Current Sensing)

Benefits:

True torque control without current sensors
Higher speeds and higher torques than voltage mode
Good for budget builds or simple applications

Requirements:

No current sensing hardware required
Motor parameters (resistance, inductance, flux) must be measured or estimated

B. FOC Current Control (With Sensors)