An adaptive electric motor controller for electric vehicles

• Main Author: Goh, Chen Hong
• Other Authors: Gwee Bah Hwee
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/71370
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Electric vehicles (EV) such as personal mobility devices (PMD) are becoming increasing popular as an alternative transport solution due to the implementation of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM) or Brushless DC motors (BLDC). Although commercial viable PMSM and BLDC motors dates back to 1930s, they became popular only in the 1970s partly due to the lack power electronics available to drive them. Therefore, the design and control of PMSM and BLDC motors still remains as a popular research topic today. In this report, the design of an adaptive electric motor controller are explored. One of the purpose of this design is to aid, but not limited to, ongoing research on PMSM and BLDC motors. This design can also be used for EV applications. Concept of how three phase inverter circuit drive PMSM and BLDC motors, and how regenerative braking is be done on three phase inverter circuits will be introduced. The DRV8301 integrated circuit is also introduced in this report to drive high power MOSFETs such as IRFS7530-7PPbF for motor control. This report also introduces design considerations related to the implementation of power electronics on Printed Circuit Boards. Concepts that are essentials to Printed Circuit Board design, such as parasitic effects, conductor width and thermal management are also explored. Also, a design flow methodology is adapted and used in this report for the design of the adaptive electric motor controller. Important concepts on Printed Circuit Board design that are previously explored are applied to develop the proposed motor controller. Software, techniques, and work necessary to achieve the objectives are also documented. Finally, necessary components are soldered onto the fabricated Printed Circuit board, which is then tested with Texas Instruments’s Launchxl, Code Composer Studio, Motorware as well as a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor. The result of the testing is also documented in this report.