TDA4VPE-Q1: EPWM

Thank you for your patience. Here are the answers to your questions. 

All Table and Section references (unless otherwise noted) come from this document: TDA4VPE-Q1, TDA4APE-Q1 Jacinto Automotive Processors datasheet (Rev. A)

1. Yes, the TDA4VPE has 6 Enhanced High-Resolution PWM (eHRPWM) modules (ePWM0 to ePWM5), as indicated in Table 4-1. Each ePWM module provides two independent PWM outputs (Output A and Output B), totaling 12 dedicated PWM outputs. These are listed in Tables 5-24 through 5-29 (e.g., EHRPWM0_A, EHRPWM0_B, etc.).

ECAP (APWM): Additionally, the device has 3 Enhanced Capture (ECAP) modules (ECAP0 to ECAP2), also listed in Table 4-1. These modules can function as Auxiliary PWM (APWM) outputs. Tables 5-20, 5-21, and 5-22 show signals like ECAPx_IN_APWM_OUT, explicitly stating "Auxiliary PWM (APWM) Output". This provides 3 additional PWM outputs. The TDA4 TRM (Technical Reference Manual) states, in section 12.4.1.1.1, that "when not used in capture mode, the ECAP module can be configured as a single channel PWM output".

General-Purpose Timers: The device also has 30 General-Purpose Timers (Table 4-1). While not as feature-rich as ePWMs for motor control, these timers can also be configured to generate PWM signals, as indicated by "PWM" mode in Table 6-94 for tw(TOUTH) and tw(TOUTL) (Timer Output High/Low pulse duration).

Therefore, no, it's not only the six sets of ePWMs. While the 6 ePWM modules provide the most features and control for a PWM output, the ECAP modules can also generate PWM, and general-purpose timers can as well.

2. Output A and Output B are two independent PWM outputs generated by the same ePWM module.

As stated in Section 6.10.5.7 EPWM, these "Two independent PWM outputs which can be used in different configurations (with single-edge operation, with dual-edge symmetric operation or one independent PWM output with dual-edge asymmetric operation)". This means they share the same time-base counter within that specific ePWM module but can have their duty cycles and other characteristics configured independently.

3. They are controlled by the same timer (time-base counter) within their respective ePWM module.

They can be configured as two complementary PWM outputs (e.g., using "dual-edge symmetric operation" with dead-band generation, as mentioned in Section 6.10.5.7). This is common for driving half-bridges or full-bridges in motor control.

They can also be configured as two independent PWM outputs (e.g., using "single-edge operation" for each, as also mentioned in Section 6.10.5.7). This allows for flexible use cases where two distinct PWM signals are needed from a single module.

4. Yes, it is possible to synchronize timing and adjust phase between different ePWM modules.

Each ePWM module has synchronization input (SYNCI) and synchronization output (SYNCO) pins (e.g., EHRPWM0_SYNCI, EHRPWM0_SYNCO in Table 5-24).

One ePWM module can be configured as a master, generating a SYNCO signal. Other ePWM modules can then use this SYNCO as their SYNCI to synchronize their internal time-bases.

Crucially, Section 6.10.5.7 explicitly states "Programmable phase-control support for lag or lead operation relative to other EPWM modules". This feature allows you to precisely adjust the phase relationship between the synchronized ePWM modules.

Therefore, while Output A of PWM0 and Output A of PWM1 do not literally "share one timer" (each ePWM module has its own time-base), their individual timers can be synchronized to a common reference, and their phases can be precisely controlled relative to each other. This capability is essential for multi-phase motor control applications like three-phase brushless DC motors (which require synchronized PWMs with specific phase shifts) and stepper motors.