Finite-Control-Set Model Predictive Control for a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Application with Online Least Squares System Identification

In comparison to classical control approaches in the field of electrical drives like the field-oriented control (FOC), model predictive control (MPC) approaches are able to provide a higher control performance. This refers to shorter settling times, lower overshoots, and a better decoupling of control variables in case of multi-variable controls. However, this can only be achieved if the used prediction model covers the actual behavior of the plant sufficiently well. In case of model deviations, the performance utilizing MPC remains below its potential. This results in effects like increased current ripple or steady state setpoint deviations. In order to achieve a high control performance, it is therefore necessary to adapt the model to the real plant behavior. When using an online system identification, a less accurate model is sufficient for commissioning of the drive system. In this paper, the combination of a finite-control-set MPC (FCS-MPC) with a system identification is proposed. The method does not require high-frequency signal injection, but uses the measured values already required for the FCS-MPC. An evaluation of the least squares-based identification on a laboratory test bench showed that the model accuracy and thus the control performance could be improved by an online update of the prediction models.