Performance comparison of different vector control approaches for a synchronous reluctance motor drive

In this paper, a comprehensive performance comparison has been made for different vector control methods in Synchronous Reluctance Motor (SynRM). The vector control methods investigated are constant direct axis current control and constant current angle control. Different methods of constant current angle vector control included in this paper are MTPA (Maximum torque per ampere), MPFC (Maximum power factor control) and MTPF (Maximum torque per flux). The SynRM is driven by a current controlled PWM voltage source inverter controlled by a PI speed controller. All these methods have been modelled and simulated in Simulink/MATLAB environment, by keeping the PI controller parameters the same and a thorough comparison has been brought out. A very good performance is achieved for the above mentioned vector control methods and their performance parameters such as response time, torque ripple and peak stator current are being compared. The results obtained from the analysis will help in deciding which of the above vector control techniques can be employed in high performance drive applications such as electric vehicles, ship propulsion, traction, etc., when and under what conditions.