Automated Online Design of Robust Speed Digital Controllers For Variable Speed Drives

This paper addresses the online robust control design for variable speed drives under varying load conditions, using genetic algorithms (GA). Both the structures and parameters of suitable digital speed controllers are optimized online experimentally on the drive while being subject to varying mechanical loads, testing out a population of solutions and, by means of genetic operators, evolving to the optimum solution. The dynamic of different load profiles is generated using a programmable load emulator. Experimental results of the online optimization of the controller are presented and computer simulations are shown for the purpose of comparison