This paper proposes a novel sliding-mode observer (SMO) to achieve the sensorless control of permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). An observer is built according to the back electromotive force (EMF) model after the back EMF equivalent signal is obtained. In this way, not only are low-pass filter and phase compensation module eliminated, but also estimation accuracy is improved. Numerical simulations and experiments with an 11-kW low-speed PMSM are carried out. The results demonstrate that the novel SMO can effectively estimate rotor position and speed and achieve good static and dynamic performance.

Finite-control-set model-predictive control (FCS-MPC) requires a large amount of calculation, which is an obstacle for its application. However, compared with the classical linear control algorithm, FCS-MPC requires a shorter control loop cycle time to reach the same control performance. To resolve this contradiction, this paper presents an effective method to simplify the conventional FCS-MPC. With equivalent transformation and specialized sector distribution method, the computation load of FCS-MPC is greatly reduced while the control performance is not affected. The proposed method can be used in various circuit topologies and cases with multiple constraints. Experiments on two-level converter and three-level NPC converter verify the good performance and application value of the proposed method.

To reduce the steady-state torque ripples for permanent-magnet synchronous motor drives with predictive torque control (PTC), this paper proposes a modified PTC algorithm based on the extended control set (ECS-PTC). In the proposed algorithm, more candidate voltage vectors are extended to the control set, which forms the ECS, and then, the torque control precision could be improved and the torque ripples will be reduced. More attractive thing is that a new voltage vector synthesis method is deigned in ECS-PTC, and the corresponding predictive model and cascaded predictive algorithm are set up on the basis of this method. With the help of them, the optimal vector can be selected from ECS in a shorter control period of time, and its amplitude is also optimized at the same time to achieve high-precision control effects for torque and flux. In addition, the three-phase duty ratios of the output vector can be determined in ECS-PTC directly, without the help of space vector pulse width modulation. The experimental results show that ECS-PTC has excellent dynamic torque performance, and it also has more stable torque control performance and better execution efficiency at the same time.

Brushless dc motor still suffers from commutation torque ripple, which mainly depends on speed and transient line current in the commutation interval. This paper presents a novel circuit topology and a dc link voltage control strategy to keep incoming and outgoing phase currents changing at the same rate during commutation. A dc-dc single-ended primary inductor converter (SEPIC) and a switch selection circuit are employed in front of the inverter. The desired commutation voltage is accomplished by the SEPIC converter. The dc link voltage control strategy is carried out by the switch selection circuit to separate two procedures, adjusting the SEPIC converter and regulating speed. The cause of commutation ripple is analyzed, and the way to obtain the desired dc link voltage is introduced in detail. Finally, simulation and experimental results show that, compared with the dc-dc converter, the proposed method can obtain the desired voltage much faster and minimize commutation torque ripple more efficiently at both high and low speeds.

A novel direct torque control (DTC) strategy using duty cycle optimization is proposed for matrix converter (MC)-based permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive system, which is characterized by low torque ripples, no need for rotational coordinate transformation, and fixed switching frequency. Analytical expressions of change rates of torque and flux of PMSM as a function of MC voltage vectors are derived. An enhanced switching table is established by means of discretization and averaging, in which changes of torque and flux caused by voltage vectors are shown explicitly. Then, the proposed MC-fed DTC algorithm is implemented based on the table. Numerical simulation and experiments with a prototype are carried out. Both simulation and experimental results demonstrate that remarkable torque ripple reduction, more than 30%, has been achieved. As a result, the proposed strategy is proved to be effective in reducing torque ripples for MC-based PMSM drives.

The performance of a standard model predictive controller (MPC) is directly related to its predictive model. If there are unmodeled periodic disturbances in the actual system, MPC will be difficult to suppress the disturbances, thus causing fluctuations of system output. To solve this problem, this paper proposes an improved MPC named predictive-integral-resonant control (PIRC). Compared with the standard MPC, the proposed PIRC could enhance the suppression ability for disturbances by embedding the internal model composing of the integral and resonant loop. Furthermore, this paper applies the proposed PIRC to PMSM drives, and proposes the PMSM control strategy based on the cascaded PIRC, which could suppress periodic disturbances caused by the dead time effects, current sampling errors, and so on. The experimental results show that the PIRC can suppress periodic disturbances in the drive system, thus ensuring good current and speed performance. Meanwhile, the PIRC could maintain the excellent dynamic performance as the standard MPC.