Inertia identification algorithm for high-performance speed control of electric motors

An estimation algorithm for identifying the moment of inertia, which is essential for the design of a high performance controller for a motor drive system, is presented. The proposed algorithm finds the moment of inertia by observing the position error signal generated by the speed observer, which contains error information on the moment of inertia. The proposed algorithm is easy to realise in an observer-based speed detection method. Simulation and experimental results are presented to confirm the performance of the moment of inertia estimation method, and show that the moment of inertia converges to an actual value within several speed changes. As a result, the speed control responses and designed speed controller performance match well.