MRAS-Based Sensorless Control of PMSM Drives Using Extended State Observer in Shaftless Rim-Driven Thruster System

Abstract

The position estimation accuracy of the traditional model reference adaptive system (MRAS) deteriorates, affected by parameter perturbation and heavy load disturbance, given the complex working conditions of the shaftless rim-driven thruster (RDT). In this study, an MRAS-based sensorless control scheme of permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drives using extended state observer (ESO) is proposed to enhance the robustness to large load torque change of the sensorless drive. Quasi-resonant (QR) controller is embedded in the ESO to improve the estimation performance of periodic disturbance, and the detailed parameter tuning method is assessed using the stability analysis. In addition, a supertwisting sliding mode control (STM)-based adaptive mechanism is used to replace the PI-based adaptive mechanism, considering the linear structure and limited bandwidth of the PI controller. Finally, comparative experiments on a 2-kW PMSM drive platform illustrate the validity of the proposed sensorless control method under various working conditions to the traditional control scheme.