V/f with Stabilizing Loops and MTPA versus Sensorless FOC for PMSM Drives

Abstract

In this article, a V/f control with two stabilizing loops and maximum torque per ampere (MTPA) control for spoke-PM synchronous motor drives is proposed, and experimentally compared against a sensorless field-oriented control (FOC) strategy based on active flux observer. To improve the drive dynamics, the standard V/f control is enhanced with two stabilizing loops, which provide corrections for stator voltage vector amplitude and phase. The novel voltage amplitude correction is based on MTPA method employing the magnetic energy and active flux concepts. The voltage angle correction employs the active power variation and works only in transient operations, to preserve the synchronism. The sensorless FOC, used for comparison, is based on an active flux observer which uses a PI compensator with the active flux error correction between the voltage and current models. Extensive comparative experimental results in sensorless large speed range, minimum speed being 100 rpm (0.022 p.u.), with speed reversal and quick load torque, validate the two control systems. Good close performances are obtained, FOC being more stable and less influenced by parameter variations.

Keywords:

• active flux
• field-oriented control
• maximum torque per ampere
• permanent magnet motors
• observers
• sensorless control
• variable speed drives
• V/f control

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Andy Isfanuti

Andy-Sorin Isfanuti was born in Lugoj, Romania in 1989. He received the B.E. degree in electrical engineering in 2012 and M.E. degree in Electric and Power Engineering 2014 from the University Politehnica of Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania. Currently, he is with FEV ECE Automotive SRL and attending the University Politehnica of Timisoara Electrical Engineering Ph.D. program. His main research interests are related to the optimal design, FEM modeling and control of permanent magnet synchronous motors.

Mihaela-Codruta Paicu

Mihaela Codruta Ancuti (Paicu) was born in Gorj, Romania, on July 24, 1981. She received the B.E. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the University POLITEHNICA of Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania, in 2005 and 2009, respectively. Between 2009 and 2013 she was part of a great team within the Power Plant Department of Vestas Wind Systems A/S, in Aarhus, Denmark, the number one wind energy international company. Since 2013, she has been working within the Electrical Engineering Department of the University POLITEHNICA Timisoara, where currently she is Associate Professor. Her areas of scientific interest include testing and control of interior electrical machines and drives, unity power factor correction converters and wind turbines.

Gheorghe-Daniel Andreescu

Gheorghe-Daniel Andreescu was born in Caracal, Romania. He received the M.S. degree in applied electronics and the Ph.D. degree in automatic control systems from Politehnica University Timisoara, Romania, in 1977 and 1999, respectively. Since 1984, he has been with the Automation and Applied Informatics Department, Politehnica University Timisoara, where he is currently a Full Professor. He has authored or coauthored over 80 articles in international journals and conference proceedings. Dr. Andreescu is a member of the Technical Committee TC4.2 Mechatronics Systems of the International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC) and has been a member of the Engineering Sciences Commission of the National University Research Council. His main research interests include advanced control of ac drives, sensorless control, observers, sliding-mode control, power electronics control, mechatronic systems, and real-time implementations.

Lucian Nicolae Tutelea

Lucian Nicolae Tutelea received the B.E. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the University Politehnica of Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania, in 1989 and 1997, respectively. He is currently a Professor at the University Politehnica Timisoara in the Department of Electric Drives and Power Electronics. He was a Visiting Researcher at the Institute of Energy Technology Aalborg University, Denmark (1997, 1999, 2000, and 2006); and at the Department of Electrical Engineering, from Hanyang University from Seoul, Korea (2004). Also, he has cooperation with industry: ABB research Center Sweden, Vestas Denmark, Embraco, Brazil, and Hyosung South Korea. His main research interests include design, modeling, and control of electric machines and drives.

Tiago Staudt

Tiago Staudt was born in Passo Fundo, Brazil, in 1983. He received the B.Sc. with highest honors and M.Sc. degrees in Electrical Engineering from the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil, in 2006 and 2009, respectively. In 2015, he received his Ph.D. from the Grenoble Alpes University and from the Federal University of Santa Catarina in a joint supervision. Currently, he is with Nidec GA and his main research interests include modeling, design, and optimization of electrical machines, variable-speed drives, and renewable energy.

Ion Boldea

Ion Boldea received the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the University Politehnica of Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania, in 1967 and 1973, respectively. He is currently a Full Professor with the University Politehnica of Timisoara, Timisoara. He has authored or coauthored research papers extensively (250 papers, 2394 citation, H index: 25 in Web of Science) in linear and rotary electric machines, drives, and MAGLEVs. He has authored or coauthored numerous books, with 6000 entrances in libraries worldwide (WorldCat.com). Dr. Boldea was the recipient of the 2015 IEEE Nikola Tesla Award. His research interests include electric power components and systems.