Simulink/Modelsim co-simulation of EKF-based sensorless PMSM drives

Based on Simulink/Modelsim co-simulation technology, the design of EKF (Extended Kalman Filter) for sensorless PMSM (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor) drives is presented in this paper. Firstly, a mathematical model for PMSM is derived, the vector control is adopted and the EKF algorithm is introduced. Secondly, the estimation of the rotor flux position and rotor speed based on EKF is applied to sensorless PMSM drives. These estimated values are feed-backed to the current loop of PMSM drive for vector control and to the speed loop of PMSM drive for speed control. Thirdly, the Very-High-Speed IC Hardware Description Language (VHDL) is adopted to describe the behaviour of EKF. Fourthly, the simulation work is performed by MATLAB/Simulink and ModelSim co-simulation mode, provided by Electronic Design Automation (EDA) Simulator Link. The PMSM, inverter and speed command are performed in Simulink and the sensorless speed controller of PMSM drives is executed in ModelSim. Finally, the co-simulation results validate the correctness and effectiveness of the EKF-based sensorless PMSM control system.