Lyapunov-Based Finite Control Set Applied to an Induction Motor for Agricultural Electrical Traction

The intensification of policies to combat climate change has led to the electrification of the transport sector for off-road applications such as agricultural machinery. Among the electric drives eligible for the electric traction of these vehicles, induction motors (IMs) stand out due to their low cost, construction simplicity, and efficient control methods. This article proposes a predictive current control (PCC) of IMs for agricultural electric traction based on the Lyapunov stability theory. The cost function is designed to minimize the error between the prediction and the actual voltage vector applied by the converter capable of exponentially stabilizing the system. The closed-loop stability of the system is ensured by designing the control inputs based on a Lyapunov function for discrete-time systems. Experimental tests carried out in the laboratory evaluate the control method’s performance in agricultural electric traction applications. The load torque is modeled following the longitudinal model, considering typical field operating conditions. The results show steady-state performance for the current components within an acceptable operating margin while keeping the mechanical speed within the defined error band. The transient responses are short and confirm the feasibility of the control when it operates over an agricultural tractor duty cycle, validating the proposed control strategy.