A Novel Constant Power Factor Loop for Stable <i>V</i>/<i>f</i> Control of PMSM in Comparison against Sensorless FOC with Luenberger-Type Back-EMF Observer Verified by Experiments

Abstract

This paper proposes a novel constant power factor loop in the V/f control strategy with stabilization for a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). The advantage of such an algorithm is the independence of the machine parameters, which vary under different operational conditions, e.g., with temperature, magnetic core saturation, and skin-effect. Furthermore, it is a low-cost and simple-to-implement sensorless solution. The proposed strategy is compared against traditional sensorless FOC with a Luenberger-type back-electromotive force (EMF) observer, which can be designed based on the machine model. The output of this kind of observer is typically an error signal, which can be specified for position deviation, requiring phase-locked loop (PLL) algorithm implementation. Employing PLL, a rotor speed and position can be estimated from such an error. Therefore, it is a complex sensorless technique with high-performance microcontroller unit (MCU) requirements. Both strategies are deeply analyzed, mathematically described, and compared within the paper. At the end of the paper, these sensorless strategies are supported by experimental verification with a traction PMSM designed for golf cart applications, and the pros and cons of both techniques are discussed.

Keywords

• sensorless control
• Luenberger-type back-EMF observer
• <i>V</i>/<i>f</i> control
• power factor control
• permanent magnet synchronous motor