Robust current control of IPMSM drives under uncertain and varying inductances

Abstract

Interior permanent magnet synchronous machines (IPMSMs) are gaining popularity in e-mobility applications due to their wide constant power speed range when compared with other electric motors. The high-performance of IPMSMs is due to the pronounced degree of magnetic saliency, which originates from embedding their magnets inside the rotor. Yet, this feature complicates their control since it increases nonlinear phenomena such as cross-magnetization and saturation. This results in pronounced variations of the machine inductances, which are highly dependent on the machine current. This behaviour is of particular relevance in e-mobility applications, where a highly dynamic operation of the machine is required. In contrast to most existing current control approaches, where precise inductance knowledge is required, we address this challenge by deriving a controller that exploits the machine dynamics to achieve exponential current tracking in the presence of unknown and varying inductances. By interpreting the flux linkage as a modelled disturbance, we propose a dynamic compensator based on the internal model principle. As a by-product, the method provides an estimate of the flux linkage. The gain in performance compared to the standard PI controller is illustrated in simulation.