Continuous Control Set Model Predictive Torque Control with Minimum Current Magnitude Criterion for Synchronous Electric Motor Drive

Abstract

<p>To achieve high efficiency and dynamics in electric drive applications, it is necessary to have accurate torque control. This is typically accomplished through a current regulator that is fed by references generated by various open-loop control strategies, in order to obtain the desired torque. As an alternative, this work presents a model predictive torque control. Starting from the torque reference, the algorithm generates optimal voltage references to the inverter-fed synchronous motor drive, while working at maximum efficiency and considering the motor current limit. This feature is achieved by combining two different norms in the cost function.</p> <p>According to the paradigm of the more autonomous drives, an important feature is that the algorithm requires only knowledge of the motor model. This means that a tuning procedure for control weight is no longer required as analytically discussed in this work. </p> <p>Experimental validation of the proposed technique are performed on a test rig featuring an anisotropic permanent magnet motor in different dynamic operation, including flipping from the motor nominal working point to the generator one.</p>