Detection of Rotor Position in Stepping and Switched Motors by Monitoring of Current Waveforms

The paper describes new methods of detecting rotor position in stepping and switched motors, with chopper or series-resistance drives, by monitoring winding currents. In contrast to previous methods of waveform detection, the new techniques are reliable over the complete speed range. It is shown that the most useful indicators of rotor position are: i) current rise times arising from chopping an unexcited phase at low current and ii) the initial rate of current rise as a phase is switched on in a series-resistance drive. Implementation is via simple low-cost electronic circuits and the paper includes discussion of how the techniques can be applied to closed-loop stepping motor control, ministep drives, and optimization of step response.