Abstract
This paper introduces a direct model predictive voltage control (DMP VC) for a sensorless five-phase induction motor drive. The operation of the proposed sensorless DMP VC is based on the direct control of the applied stator voltages instead of controlling the torque and flux as in model predictive direct torque control (MP DTC). Thus, the simplicity of the control system is enhanced, which saves the computational time and reduces the commutation losses as well. The methodology based on which the proposed sensorless DMP VC performs its operation depends on minimizing a cost function that calculates the error between the reference and actual values of the direct and quadrature (d-q) axes components of stator voltages. The reference values of d-q components of stator voltages are obtained through incorporating the deadbeat control within the proposed model predictive system. A robust back-stepping observer is proposed for estimating the speed, stator currents, rotor flux, and rotor resistance. The validity of the proposed sensorless DMP VC is confirmed through performing detailed and extensive comparisons between the proposed DMP VC and MP DTC approach. The obtained results state that the drive is exhibiting better performance under the proposed DMP VC with less ripples content and reduced computational burden. Moreover, the proposed back-stepping observer has confirmed its effectiveness in estimating the speed and other variables for a wide range of speed operation.