Literature Review on Microstepping Control for Permanent Magnet Stepper Motor

Abstract

The operation of permanent magnet (PM) stepper motor in microstepping mode requires precise rotor position tracking. The position of the rotor provides information on angular rotation and speed. This is used to estimate the step positional error, positional accuracy, current ripple and power loss at different switching frequencies. Numerous techniques have been developed to track the rotor position and determine the positional error to improve the dynamic performance of the stepper motor. The literature review begins by investigating the assumptions in the development of the mathematical model of the PM stepper motor. The need for microstepping control of the PM stepper motor is presented. The explanation regarding the operation of the PM stepper motor in open loop with microstepping control using current feedback and closed loop with current and/or position feedback are conversed. In addition, the review is extended to the use of observers for estimating the rotor position in closed loop. A detailed examination on the diverse approaches for improving the performance of the PM stepper motor using microstepping control is provided.