A new flux/current method for SRM rotor position estimation

This paper proposes a new principle of sensorless position estimation for a switched reluctance motor (SRM) drive, based on an improved flux/current method. The estimation algorithm makes full use of the structural symmetry of SRM, and only some specific position flux linkage data are needed, which greatly decrease the need for the high speed and capacity of microcontroller. The proposed method does not require external hardware and hence the reliability of the scheme is expected to be good while not adding to the system cost. Preliminary investigation shows that the proposed sensorless scheme can give position information with high resolution for speeds. The basic principle of this method is analyzed, simulations and real-time implementation of the sensorless scheme using Matlab-simulink are carried out based on a 12/8 SRM, the result of which shows the feasibility of the algorithm. Hardware aspects along with the implementation details of the sensorless scheme are discussed briefly. Experimental investigation is underway and complete set of test results will be provided in the next step work.