Gravitational search algorithm based tuning of a PI speed controller for an induction motor drive

Proportional-integral (PI)-controller is very useful for controlling speed and mechanical load variables for the three-phase induction motor (TIM) operation. However, the conventional PI-controller has a very exhaustive trial and error procedure for obtaining it is parameters. In this paper, PI speed controller has been improved in it is design technique to suite TIM by utilizing a gravitational search algorithm (GSA) optimization technique. The mean absolute error (MAE) of the speed response has been used as an objective function. An optimal GSA based PI speed controller (GSA-PI) objective function is also employed to tune and minimize the MAE for developing the performance of the TIM in terms of changes speed and mechanical load. This experiment use space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) technique to create pulse width modulation for switching devices for three phase bridge inverter. Results obtained from the GSA-PI speed controller are compared with those obtained through particle swarm optimization (PSO) to validate the developed controller. Then it has been proved that the robustness of the GSA-PI speed controller is far better than that of the PSO controller in all tested cases in terms of damping capability and transient response under different mechanical loads and speeds.