Performance evaluation of MRAS and SMO based sensorless PMSM drives

Abstract

PurposeFor vector control of permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) requires motor speed and rotor position estimation. The precision of the open-loop techniques of the stator flux and speed for vector control PMSM drive drops as mechanical speed decreases. The stator resistance and estimated stator flux values crisscross have a huge effect on the transient and steady-state performance of the drive at lower speed. The framework turns out to be increasingly strong against parameter crisscross and signal noises by using adaptive observers for estimation of speed and flux.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents a comparison of two-speed observers for the vector control PMSM drive: the sliding mode observer (SMO) and the model reference adaptive system (MRAS). A comprehensive analysis of SMO and MRAS respects dynamic, steady-state performance and robustness, affectability, stability and computational complexity has been introduced. The abstract of the advantages and disadvantages of both observer and their comparative analysis have also been discussed.FindingsDynamic performance steady-state performance and robustness, affectability and stability.Originality/valueThis paper presents a sensorless scheme, namely, MRAS and SMO for control of PMSM drive. These sensorless techniques have been tested for a PMSM motor drive and the motor performance was compared for both techniques. Matlab/Simulink based simulation results conclude that the adaptive methods improve dynamic response, reduces torque ripples and extended speed range.