Recent advances in model predictive and sliding mode current control techniques of multiphase induction machines

Abstract

Multiphase machines have attracted the attention of the research and industrial communities due to their advantages, namely better power distribution and fault-tolerant capabilities without extra hardware. However, the multiphase machine requires high-performance control strategies to take advantage of these features. From this perspective, the field-oriented control with the inner current control loop that uses using an explicit modulation stage has been considered the benchmark solution thanks to the reduced harmonic distortion obtained with this regulation strategy. Nevertheless, nonlinear controllers, thanks to their inherent nature, allow exploiting the extra multiphase capabilities in a simplified manner. Consequently, this paper aims to concentrate and discuss the latest developments on nonlinear current control of two of the most popular multiphase electric drive configurations, five-phase and six-phase. Then, this paper covers mainly finite-control-set model predictive control and their variations. Moreover, sliding-mode control is also explained. Finally, this paper includes experimental assessments of the most recent nonlinear current control techniques considering steady-state and transient conditions, stability and performance analysis.