Neural Network with Cloud-Based Training for MTPA, Flux-Weakening and MTPV Control of IPM Motors and Drives

An interior permanent magnet (IPM) motor is a prime electric motor used in electric vehicles (EVs), robots, and electric drones. In these applications, maximum torque per ampere (MTPA), flux-weakening, and maximum torque per volt (MTPV) techniques play a critical role in the efficient and reliable torque control of an IPM motor. Although several approaches have been proposed and developed for this purpose, each has its specific limitations. The objective of this paper is to develop a neural network (NN) method to determine MTPA, flux-weakening, and MTPV operating points for the most efficient torque control of the motor over its full speed range. The NN is trained offline by using the Levenberg-Marquardt backpropagation algorithm, which avoids the disadvantages associated with online NN training. A cloud computing system is proposed for routine offline NN training, which enables the lifetime adaptivity and learning capabilities of the offline-trained NN and overcomes the computational challenges related to online NN training. In addition, for the proposed NN mechanism, training data are collected and stored in a highly random manner, which makes it much more feasible and efficient to implement lifetime adaptivity than any other methods. The proposed method is evaluated via both simulation and hardware experiments, which shows the great performance of the NN-based MTPA, MTPV, and flux-weakening control for an IPM motor over its full speed range. Overall, the proposed method can achieve a fast and accurate current reference generation with a simple NN structure, for optimal torque control of an IPM motor.