Assessment of an Improved Finite Control Set Model Predictive Current Controller for Automotive Propulsion Applications

This paper presents an investigation on finite control set model predictive current control, validated experimentally with a rear axle electrical drive unit used in automotive applications. An improved problem formulation is suggested which lowers the computational turnaround time of the solver with approximately 40% for an horizon length of N = 4. Apart from the computational requirement aspects, the assessment focuses on inverter efficiency, phase current total demand distortion, and acoustic performance. The proposed solution is evaluated against a standard double proportional and integrator (PI) field-oriented current controller with pulsewidth modulation. It is shown that the proposed solution is feasible, the associated optimization problem at hand can be solved in real time, while exploiting the attractiveness of the proposed improvements. In summary, it is concluded that the inverter efficiency can be improved without deteriorating neither the phase current harmonics nor the acoustic performance.