Real-Time Position Sensor Fault Detection with Control Reconfiguration for PMSM Drives

This paper proposes a new real-time position sensor fault detection method with fault-tolerant control for PMSM drives. The approach benefits from the use of a machine reference model-based phase locked loop to determine the actual rotor position and to detect position sensor faults. Once the fault is detected, control reconfiguration is proposed to switch from sensor-based control to sensorless control and ensure continuous operation. The new approach was tested in MATLAB/Simulink simulations as well as experimentally. Results show effective and fast position sensor fault detection. Moreover, the control reconfiguration successfully manages to maintain seamless motor operation with minimum disturbances.