Sliding mode observers for sensorless control of current-fed induction motors

This paper presents the use of a higher order sliding mode scheme for sensorless control of induction motors. The second order sub-optimal control law is based on a reduced-order model of the motor, and produces the references for a current regulated PWM inverter. A nonlinear observer structure, based on Lyapunov theory and on different sliding mode techniques (first order, sub-optimal and super-twisting) generates the velocity and rotor flux estimates necessary for the controller, based only on the measurements of phase voltages and currents. The proposed control scheme and observers are tested on an experimental setup, showing a satisfactory performance.