International Space Station (ISS) Integrated Motor Controller Assembly (IMCA)

The Integrated Motor Controller Assembly (IMCA) is a self-contained “universal” package with interface and control electronics, motor, and gearing. It is used in multiple applications on the International Space Station (ISS) as the actuator/prime mover. Digital commands received from the ISS Multiplexer/DeMultiplexer (MDM) computer via a MIL-STD-1553 digital data bus are converted to drive signals to operate and control motor output.

The control loop includes a compensation algorithm providing low cogging torque - - a critical requirement in preventing excitation of the ISS structure. The users of higher level mechanisms can tailor control algorithm operational parameters by downloading from the MDM.