An investigation into the use of hardware-in-the-loop simulation testing for brushless DC motor drive of hybrid electric vehicle

In this paper, the possibility to replace the converter controlled brushless DC motors used for hybrid electric vehicles with a real-time simulation model is studied by using of a rapid control prototyping controller as a simulator at relatively low cost. The aim is to examine the real performance of the controller hardware against the simulation model that includes the dynamics of the controlled system as well as some feedback sensors. The special requirements of the hardware-in-the-loop approach for each part of the systems are studied. The platform for implementation of the system is described. Experimental results show that little difference between the responses of the real system and the real-time model were found. Therefore, the real brushless DC motor can be replaced by the virtual real-time simulation system in the development and test stages.