Sensorless induction motor and permanent magnet synchronous motor drives using natural field orientation

The present paper will discuss newly developed fully digital sensorless induction motor and permanent magnet motor synchronous motor drives, which employ natural field orientation (NFO). So far only vector‐type of NFO induction motor drives have been discussed in the literature, and very limited experimental results have been shown. In addition, the paper will also discuss new sensorless DTC‐type of NFO induction motor drives (NFO‐DTC drives). Using fully digital implementations of the new NFO‐type induction motor and permanent magnet drives, experimental results will be shown for various operating conditions, including slow and fast reversals at very low speed. Robustness to parameter deviations will also be demonstrated. The developed new types of NFO drives can also work at zero stator frequency and sustained zero frequency operation will also be demonstrated. The drives have been tested in basically two environments: where the load is a dc motor; and where a crane drive is implemented. In contrast to other sensorless crane drives, which develop stability problems, it was found that the new NFO drives can operate in a stable manner under all operating conditions including zero frequency. This allows for many new applications.