Microcomputer implementation of optimal algorithms for closed-loop control of hybrid stepper motor drives

This paper discusses optimal algorithms for closed-loop control of hybrid stepper motor drives and their microprocessor implementation. The torque characteristics and the optimal control angle of hybrid stepper motor drives with added series resistance and reluctant stepper motor drives have been described in detail in the literature. The specific contribution of the paper to this field of research consists of the analysis of the torque characteristics and the optimal control angle of hybrid stepper motor drives with a chopper amplifier and current controller. Analytical expressions for the average torque and the optimal control angle of a two-phase hybrid stepper motor with chopper amplifier and current controller have been developed. An actual hybrid stepper motor drive and the microcontroller-based implementation of the suboptimal and exact optimal control algorithms have been described. The experimental results obtained by positioning a two-phase hybrid stepper motor drive with chopper amplifier, phase current controller, and incremental encoder suggested that the derived optimal control algorithm provided maximum acceleration and minimum positioning time of the hybrid stepper motor drive.