Analysis of volts per hertz scalar control as governor of high pole count, high frequency, permanent magnet synchronous machine

This thesis focuses on the volts per hertz control architecture developed by the Haran Research team at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to control a 1 MW permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) intended to propel a hybrid-electric commercial aircraft. At the time of this writing, the first iteration of the NASA PMSM high pole count, low impedance, high power motor is being constructed. This motor is capable of high rotational speeds and features a unique flying capacitor multi-level (FCML) inverter system. First, an overview of the development of a volts per hertz controller is reviewed followed by implementation of the controller in Simulink. As the system design has inherent oscillations, a PD control is developed for the system as well as a ramping function to keep machine speed and electrical frequency aligned as well as limit torque output. The design of the system control is followed by an analysis of the control implications, namely, system dynamic performance; comparison to an alternative control strategy, field oriented control (FOC); and comparison of the motor control dynamics with that of modern combustion propulsion systems