Feedback control of an 8/6 SRM under multiphase excitation mode with short flux paths

A switched reluctance motor (SRM) operating under multiphase excitation mode with short flux paths can achieve higher torque density. This has been indicated in the literature by numerical analysis, simulation and measurement of static torque. However, the design of controllers for real-time operation of such a SRM is quite difficult due to the nonlinearity and mutual coupling arising from multiphase excitation. On the other hand, most of previous investigations regarding control of a SRM are only for single-phase excitation. In this paper, a simple but effective design approach for the current and speed controllers of an 8/6 SRM under multiphase excitation mode with short flux paths is proposed in the low and intermediate speed ranges based on some reasonable assumptions and simplifications. Using a fixed-point DSP, the real-time operation and control of the SRM are implemented by means of linearized controllers. Our experimental results verify the effectiveness of this method.