Sensorless speed control of a PM synchronous motor by sliding mode observer

This paper presents a sensorless speed control of a permanent magnet synchronous motor using a sliding mode observer. A vector control strategy is considered, for a motor with sinusoidal flux distribution. The sliding mode observer detects the voltages induced by the magnet flux on the stator windings. These signals are used to calculate the rotor position and speed needed for vector control. Due to the sliding mode operation, filters are used to smooth the estimated variables. A speed-dependent compensation is also proposed, in order to achieve an accurate estimation of the rotor position. As the observed variables are not available below a limit frequency, an open loop starting procedure is implemented. The resulting observer has been fully analyzed by simulations, in order to test the performance both in steady-state and transient operations. Experimental results based on a DSP TMS320C50 controller are presented, showing the performance of the sensorless drive over a wide range of operating conditions.