Speed sensorless control of a six-phase induction motor drive using backstepping control

In this study, a direct torque and flux control is described for a six-phase asymmetrical speed and voltage sensorless induction machine (IM) drive, based on non-linear backstepping control approach. First, the decoupled torque and flux controllers are developed based on Lyapunov theory, using the machine two axis equations in the stationary reference frame. In this control scheme, the actual stator voltages are determined from dc-link voltage using the switching pattern of the space vector pulse-width modulation inverter. Then, for a given motor load torque and rotor speed, a so-called fast search method is used to maximise the motor efficiency. According to this method, the rotor reference flux is decreased in the small steps, until the average of real input power to the motor reaches to a minimum value. In addition, a model reference adaptive system-based observer is employed for online estimating of the rotor speed. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed control scheme is verified by simulation and experimental results. © The Institution of Engineering and Technology 2013.