Sensorless Field Oriented Control with Matrix Converters and Surface Mount Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machines

This paper deals with the rotor angle estimation for further sensorless field oriented control of permanent magnet synchronous machines using voltage matrix converters test vectors. The Angle estimation is based on the machine saliency (difference between Ld and Lq), which is properly tracked by the application of pulse voltage test vectors. For all injection methods to function, some level of machine saliency is necessary. This makes the technique straightforward for salient machines such as interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machines. Surface Mount Permanent Magnet Machines, on the other hand, only have a saliency due to stator tooth saturation and it is generally of small magnitude, which makes the technique prone to interference from distorting effects. The novelty of this paper is the fact that a matrix converter is used instead of the conventional voltage source inverter. The paper presents a brief summary of the position signals for Matrix Converters and addresses different possibilities of the test voltage vectors placement. Finally, some simulation results with proper angle estimation, when speed reversal and load impact at zero speed, confirms the proper functionality for further sensorless field oriented control.