Real-time operation (interrupt capability, timer, high-
speed I/O):
Real-time operation of the control system necessitates the interrupt capability to synchronize the control software to external events. The interrupt latency (the time delay between the interrupt request and the start of the service routine) must be as small as possible compared to the sampling period. Interrupt priority management is necessary for handling interrupts from different sources.
Timers are needed for different time-related operations such as power converter drive signals generation, period measurement, periodic interrupt generation, pulsewidth modulation, delay generation, baud
rate generation, etc.
High-speed parallel I/O ports are required for communication with sensors, displays, and power converter.