National instrument-based experimental validation of a nonlinear real-time induction motor model in an EV simulation system

Real-time simulation of an electrical vehicle (EV) with hardware-in-the-loop is a cost-effective approach in evaluating the behavior of electrical vehicles and its controllers before applying them in a real system. This paper demonstrates a nonlinear approach of a real-time induction motor model implemented in a National Instrument real-time platform. Many studies have been conducted concerning on the real-time modelling of induction motors, but lots of the models are limited to linear ones. This paper presents the modeling, real-time implementation and experimental validation of a nonlinear induction motor model mounted on an electrical vehicle. The experimental validation system consists of two parts, the motor controller and the model motor. The model motor is a real-time simulation model based on the nonlinear stator flux model. The consistency of electrical characteristics between the model motor and the real motor is guaranteed by adding the external electrical interface circuit. The system can be used to deliver the testing and researching of motor control systems instead of the real ones. The experimental results show that the model motor can effectively simulate the characteristics of true induction motors. Thus, it can be applied in studies of electrical vehicle systems.