Arrow Electronics, Inc. has partnered with two of its suppliers, Altera Corp. and National Semiconductor Corp., to launch the MotionFire motor-control development platform to North American customers. The FPGA-based platform reduces design time, increases flexibility and saves energy for motor applications used in a variety of industrial, automotive, medical, instrumentation and consumer electronics equipment.

Launched in Europe in 2008, MotionFire is based on Altera’s Cyclone® III FPGA, delivering a flexible and power-saving motor-control environment that supports multiple industrial networking protocols.  MotionFire comprises the FireFighter FPGA-based baseboard and FireDriver motor driver power modules, which accept a wide input power supply range.  National Semiconductor’s PowerWise® power management products provide the various voltage requirements of the digital circuitry.

“MotionFire is part of an ongoing Arrow initiative to offer new solutions and innovative tools that demonstrate our suppliers' technologies and help our customer to go to market faster,” said Tom Shaar, director of supplier management for Arrow Electronics.  “Arrow initiates design and development efforts and fosters partnerships around the world.  MotionFire was designed by Arrow's technology development and marketing teams to provide our customers with a unique and comprehensive motor control platform, globally.”

Arrow has created a dedicated Web page for MotionFire offering valuable information, resources and tools including a link to Arrow’s design services.  Customers can place an order, link to supplier sites, access product support, and receive answers to frequently asked questions.  Customers can even register to receive ongoing product updates and information. 

The MotionFire development kit, now available to North American customers through Arrow, includes all the hardware, software and documentation for creating motion-control systems. 

For more information, visit: www.arrownac.com/motionfire.