DSP-Based Automated Error-Reducing Flux-Linkage-Measurement Method for Switched Reluctance Motors

The switched reluctance motor (SRM) has received considerable attention from researchers for its many inherent advantages, and thus, it has become a popular research topic in the field of variable-speed drives as well as servo drives. Research on SRMs mainly includes their design, modeling and performance analysis, control, as well as applications. However, for verification of design, performance prediction, as well as development of a high-performance sensorless control algorithm, accurate measurement of the magnetic characteristics of the SRM is most critical. Hence, one of the most important problems in the field of SRMs is a practical and accurate instrumentation system for the measurement of the SRM magnetic characteristics. This paper first describes an accurate and fully automated digital method for the measurement of the magnetic characteristic of SRMs, which includes online offset-error removal and winding resistance estimation. In this method, a digital-signal-processor-based virtual instrumentation for measurement of flux linkage is developed. Then, the results of the measurement conducted on a four-phase SRM are presented. The accuracy of the measurement system is verified by comparing with that found via a magnetic analyzer. Finally, the various sources of errors and their contributions to the errors are discussed. The scheme can also be used, in general, for transformers or inductors.