Continuous Control Set Model Predictive Control of a Switch Reluctance Drive Using Lookup Tables

A problem of the switched reluctance drive is its natural torque pulsations, which are partially solved with finite control set model predictive control strategies. However, the continuous control set model predictive control, required for precise torque stabilization and predictable power converter behavior, needs sufficient computation resources, thus limiting its practical implementation. The proposed model predictive control strategy utilizes offline processing of the magnetization surface of the switched reluctance motor. This helps to obtain precalculated current references for each torque command and rotor angular position in the offline mode. In online mode, the model predictive control strategy implements the current commands using the magnetization surface for fast evaluation of the required voltage command for the power converter. The proposed strategy needs only two lookup table operations requiring very small computation time, making instant execution of the whole control system possible and thereby minimizing the control delay. The proposed solution was examined using a simulation model, which showed precise and rapid torque stabilization below rated speed.