In 2008-2009 the motor controller team will focus on two specific domains: the hardware implementation of the PMSM controller algorithm – both controller and high power electronics – and the first develop cycle of the SRM algorithm. In the second quarter of 2009 VDS GROEP T will show their PMSM controller, and a first version of the SRM algorithm.
For the motor controller team we have for the moment two students working on the implementation of the motor controller algorithm on a hardware platform, the XUP Virtex-II Pro bord from Xilinx. Last year this algorithm was designed and successfully tested on a 50kW motor. To start with, this algorithm will be fully written into software and then tested. Afterwards, the parts of the code will be translated into hardware so the algorithm can work a lot faster. This is needed to be able to drive motors with higher power. At the moment almost half of the algorithm had been written into software. By the end of December the complete algorithm will be ready in software, so the translation into hardware can begin. The first prototype of the control part will be ready in the beginning of April.
Next to this, there’s also a student working on the inverter which delivers the needed power (30kW) for the motor. The first prototype of this will be for a lower power, around 3kW.
The past month the work which has been done was mainly around the measurements the control algorithm needs to be able to drive the motor correctly and some circuits for protection of the power stage. Also an efficient power supply has almost been finished. This will deliver the needed voltages to supply the different parts of the controller. After this, testing on a small motor can start. With the experience and results from these tests, the final design can then be started.
