FPGA real-time implementation of a vector control scheme for a PMSM used to propel an electric scooter

Abstract

This paper reports on the Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) real-time implementation of a vector control scheme, by means of hardware-in-the-loop simulation. This approach will be applied for a PMSM used to propel an electric scooter, preceding its integration in a more complex experimental setup. The emerging need for powerful, flexible system-on-a-chip (SoC) platforms for developing complex drive systems have brought to attention FPGAs. These units offer high performance, rapid prototyping and parallel computation capability for the envisaged control algorithms. The Xilinx System Generator (XSG) tool allows the design of the proposed vector control system, under Simulink environment. It uses specialized blocks in order to facilitate the real-time behavior validation. The controllers required for this control strategy are modelled and implemented by means of XSG tools on a Digilent Anvyl Spartan-6 FPGA, inserted in the complete Simulink control structure. Subsequently, hardware co-simulation is performed, in order to test the performances of the system at real-time stimuli.