T-MOTOR Electric Speed Controllers

The electronic speed controller (ESC) plays a crucial role in the hardware of an electric propulsion system. It functions as the system's brain, receiving data signals from the throttle controller and instructing the motor on its speed. In the case of smaller applications such as drones and RC vehicles, this controller is referred to as an 'ESC.' However, for larger manufacturing applications, it may be known as an electronic control unit, inverter, or motor controller. More general info about ESCs is available here: https://www.tytorobotics.com/blogs/articles/what-is-an-esc-how-does-an-esc-work

T-Motor provides ESCs for multirotors, fixed-wing RC planes, and FPV drones. This repository contains technical data on the next types of T-Motor ESCs: ALPHA, FLAME, AIR, and AT and AM for fixed-wing aerial vehicles. Datasets for various series are groupped by the corresponging vehicle type.

ALPHA series

The T-Motor Alpha series ESCs are advanced electronic speed controllers based on FOC (field-oriented control) specifically engineered to meet the demands of high-performance applications. The principle of FOC is to control motor output via the adjustment of current flow and angle, the feature of which can be used to control motor magnetic field and torque. Current and voltage output of 3 phases is presented by vectors in mathematical model, that is why FOC is also known as “vector control”.

The benefits of FOC in ESCs include:

1. Improved Efficiency: FOC minimizes energy losses by precisely controlling the motor currents, reducing unnecessary power dissipation and maximizing overall efficiency.
2. Higher Torque and Performance: FOC enables precise control of torque production, allowing for higher torque output and improved motor performance.
3. Smoother Operation: By reducing torque ripple and improving control precision, FOC provides smoother and more stable motor operation, resulting in better overall system performance.
4. Enhanced Low-Speed Control: FOC excels at low-speed operation, allowing for precise control and smooth rotation even at very low speeds.

ALPHA ESCs for multirotor application feature low noise, temperature and interference, while having fast response and high efficiency. In addition, these controllers incorporate various protection layers, including:

• Throttle loss protection;
• Overcurrent protection;
• Motor lock-up protection;
• Short circuit protection;
• Low voltage protexction;
• Environmental protection (water and dust).

Technical Specifications of ALPHA ESCs:

• Voltage Input Range: 6S-12S (22.2V-44.4V)
• Continuous Current: 40-100A (depending on model)
• Burst Current: 60-120A (depending on model)
• Battery Elimination Circuit (BEC): No

FLAME series

The T-Motor Flame series ESCs are high-quality electronic speed controllers designed for a wide range of applications, including multirotor drones and other electric propulsion systems.

                                          Wiring diagram

Protection layers:

• Start-up protection. The ESC will shut down the motor when it fails to start the motor normally in 2 seconds by increasing the throttle value.
• Throttle signal loss protection. When the ESC detects loss of signal for over 0.25sec, it’ll cut off the output immediately to avoid greater loss, which may be caused by the continuous high-speed rotation of propellers or rotor blades.
• Over-load protection. The ESC will cut off its output immediately when the peak current gets close to 340A.
• Temperature protection.
• Motor lock-up protection. The ESC will try to restart the motor (thrice) when motor lock-up is detected; if it fails, it will cut off the output and stop attempting.

Technical Specifications of FLAME ESCs:

• Voltage Input Range: 4S-14S (14.8V-51.8V)
• Continuous Current: 60-200A (depending on model)
• Burst Current: 80-240A (depending on model)
• Battery Elimination Circuit (BEC): No

AIR series

The T-Motor AIR series ESCs are high-performance electronic speed controllers designed specifically for aerial applications, including drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Features:

•  Special core program for multi-rotor controllers greatly improves throttle response.
• Specially optimized firmware for excellent compatibility with disc-type motors.
• All settings except the timing are preset, making usage simple, highly intelligent and adaptive.
• The twisted-pair design of the throttle signal cable effectively reduces the crosstalk produced in signal transmission and makes flight more stable.
• Compatible with various flight-control systems.

Protection layers:

• Start-up Protection: The ESC will shut down the motor if it fails to start the motor normally within 2 seconds by increasing the throttle value. In this case, you need to move the transmitter throttle stick back to the bottom position and restart the motor. (Possible causes of this problem: poor connection/ disconnection between the ESC and motor wires, propellers are blocked, etc.)
• Over-load Protection: The ESC will cut off the power/output when the load suddenly increases to a very high value. Normal operation will not resume until the throttle stick is moved back to the neutral position. The ESC will automatically attempt to restart when the motor and the ESC are out of sync.
• Throttle Signal Loss Protection: When the ESC detects loss of signal for over 0.25 second, it will cut off the output immediately to avoid an even greater loss which may be caused by the continuous high-speed rotation of propellers or rotor blades. The SC will resume the corresponding output after normal signals are received.

Technical Specifications of ALPHA ESCs:

• Voltage Input Range: 3S-6S (11.1V-22.2V)
• Continuous Current: 20-40A (depending on model)
• Burst Current: 30-60A (depending on model)
• Battery Elimination Circuit (BEC): No

AT series

The AT series ESC utilizes a specialized fixed-wing core algorithm program to enhance motor control efficiency through optimized software structure. Additionally, the stable and highly efficient BEC module guarantees safe ESC operation across diverse power supply environments.

Protection layers:

• Start-up protection: if the motor fails to start up within 2 seconds when pushing the throttle, the ESC will cut off the output power.
• Temperature protection: when the temperature of the ESC is over about 110 degrees Celsius, the ESC will reduce the output power to 40% of full power. The ESC will gradually regain maximum power.
• Throttle signal loss protection. The ESC will reduce the output power if the throttle signal is lost for 1 second, further loss for 2 seconds will cause the output to be cut-off completely. If the throttle control signal is restored during the power drop, the throttle control is restored immediately.
• Overload protection: The motor blockage leads to a sudden load increase. When the load suddenly becomes very large, the power will be cut off or restarted automatically. 

Technical Specifications of ALPHA ESCs:

• Voltage Input Range: 2S-14S (7.4V-51.8V)
• Continuous Current: 12-115A (depending on model)
• Burst Current: 15-120A (depending on model)
• Battery Elimination Circuit (BEC): Linear or switch
• BEC output: 5V/2A - 5V/5A (depending on model)

AM series

These are small-size ESCs with high power Universal Battery Eliminator Circuit (UBEC), suitable for RC airplanes.

Technical Specifications of ALPHA ESCs:

• Voltage Input Range: 1S-8S (3.7V-29.6V)
• Continuous Current: 6-116A (depending on model)
• Burst Current: 8-136A (depending on model)
• Battery Elimination Circuit: UBEC, 5.2V - 8.2V

References

https://store.tmotor.com/

https://uav-en.tmotor.com/