Sensorless synchronous reluctance drive with standstill starting

This paper presents a novel sensorless synchronous reluctance drive system. Based on the dynamic model of the synchronous reluctance motor (SRM), a new rotor position estimator is proposed. This estimator is only related to the rate change of the stator currents. It is not related to the parameters, speed, voltage, and external load of the motor. As a result, the estimator is simple and robust. Based on the proposed estimator, a sensorless synchronous reluctance drive has been implemented. This drive system can start from standstill and accelerate to a rated speed; the traditional open-loop starting method, therefore, is unnecessary. A digital signal processor, TMS-320-C30, is used to implement the estimating and control algorithms. Experimental results show that the proposed system works well. The adjustable speed range can be from 1 r/min to 1800 r/min. Moreover, by adding the position-loop controller the proposed system can perform as a position control drive as well. Several experimental results validate the theoretical analysis.