Performance evaluation of classical and fuzzy logic control techniques for brushless DC motor drive

High efficiency due to reduced losses, low maintenance and low rotor inertia of the brushless dc (BLDC) motor have increased the demand of BLDC motors in high power servo and robotic applications. Since fuzzy logic with human like but systematic property can convert the linguistic control rules based on expert knowledge into automatic control strategy, it can be well applied to control the systems with uncertain or unmodelled dynamics. In view of fuzzy logic merits, this paper proposes three types of fuzzy logic controllers for BLDC motor drive using advanced simulation model and presents a comparative study of performance specifications of classical PI and PID controllers and three fuzzy logic controllers. The three fuzzy logic controllers considered are PI-like fuzzy logic controller (PI-Like FLC), Hybrid fuzzy logic controller (HFLC) and integrated fuzzy logic controller (IFLC). The steady state and dynamic characteristics of speed and torque are effectively monitored and analyzed using the proposed model. The aim of fuzzy logic controllers is to obtain improved performance in terms of disturbance rejection or parameter variation than obtained using classical controllers. In the HFLC, the proportional term of the traditional PID controller is replaced with an incremental fuzzy logic controller. For the PI-Like FLC, the output of the controller is modified by a rule base with the error and change of error of the controlled variable as the inputs. The IFLC is constructed by using Fuzzy logic controller and PID controller. A performance comparison of classical and fuzzy logic controllers has been carried out by several simulations at different speeds and different load conditions.