1. MCi Project
The project below is an example of the kind of project any C++ or C# engineer will be part of if they join Nidec Control Techniques.
Nidec has over 100 engineers in the UK so a number of projects are underway at any time.

2. MCi Project
MCi is a user programmable motion controller that sits on a Control Techniques AC drive.
We provide the user with a programming IDE (MCS) they can use to write an application,
For Example to control a robot, an elevator, a crane, a printing press, a theatre – literally anything where one or more electric motors are used to turn axes.
The user can build their application using the IDE and download it to the MCi device to control the operation of the drive.
The MCi includes a motion tasking model, motion libraries and real-time, synchronised operation across Ethernet networks – hundreds of thousands of lines of embedded C++ – to support the user in developing any application they can imagine.
While this project uses a Renesas processor other projects use Intel, Texas Instruments and ARM processors

3. MCi Technology
IEEE1588 Synchronisation - < 1us jitter across network
PLCOpen Motion Library
User Program Compiler Optimisation
Visual C#, Winforms & WPF UI Technology
Renesas SH Processor
Motion Task Model – 12 User Program Threads, 250us cycle time
Embedded C++ (Highly optimised)
MCS
MCi
C++, COM, C#, Windows Drivers
User Program Textual & Graphical Language Support
Ethernet link
Multi-user Comms Server
Ethernet link
User Program Debug, Monitor Support
Pre-emptive RTOS <1us context switch
Modbus TCP/ IP, SNTP,
User-defined TCP/IP & UDP Support
Robots, Cranes, Elevators, Printing, Packaging
+++++
Real-time Ethernet – 4000 synchronous frames/ s
Network Device Discovery & Management
Device Setup Screens
While this project uses a Renesas processor other projects use Intel, Texas Instruments and ARM processors

4. The Development Process
A common process based on Team Foundation Server is used for Embedded and PC developments
Manual & Automated Test Suites
Source Control
Agile/ Iterative Development
Nightly build & Automated Test Run
Independent Test
User Testing
Change Management (Bugs, Change Requests, Iteration Planning etc.)

5. The Team on this specific project
Project Manager
2 PC Software Engineers
2 Testers
3 Embedded Software Engineers
Motion Control Engineer