A comparison of stator flux linkage estimators for a direct torque controlled PMSM drive

In an increasing number of applications highly dynamic electrical drives, characterized by high quality torque control, are demanded. Direct torque control (DTC) for AC machines, permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM) or induction machines, can provide this accurate and fast torque control. When applying DTC the change of the stator flux linkage vector is controlled, based on torque and flux errors. As such the estimation of the stator flux linkage is essential for a DTC drive. Furthermore the quality of the estimation directly determines the capability of the drive. In the literature several possible solutions for the estimation of the stator flux linkage are proposed. However, a comprehensive comparison between these solutions is not present. This paper gives an overview of several techniques for the estimation of the stator flux linkage for DTC in PMSMs. The theoretical advantages and disadvantages of the methods are outlined. After a short discussion on the effects of erroneous estimations the results from simulations for the different methods are reviewed. It is shown that, despite their simplicity stabilized voltage model methods can offer good performance. Still they can not reach the performance of an extended Kalman filter implementation of a current model. Aspects of the practical implementation on FPGA are discussed.