e-ISSN : 0975-4024 Suneeta et al.

/ International Journal of Engineering and Technology (IJET)

Co-Simulation of BLDC Motor

Commutation by using MATLAB Simulink
and Xilinx System generator
Suneeta#1, R. Srinivasan*2, Ram Sagar#3
*Vemana Institute of Technology, Bangalore-560034, India
1
[email protected]
2
[email protected]
3
[email protected]
Abstract- This work mainly focuses on Matlab Simulink model for electronic commutation of BLDC
motor and co simulation of the model by using Xilinx System generator tool. The BLDC motors
(AKM21E) are available in small size with good speed/torque characteristics. Since, the efficiency and
dynamic response is high compared to brushed DC motor, they have widely used in various applications.
We are using BLDC motor for adjusting the focus in radio telescope. The efficient electronic
commutation is designed and tested by using modelling in Matlab Simulink. The Co verification of the
model is done by using Xilinx system generator.
Keywords- BLDC motor, Simulink, system generator.
I. INTRODUCTION
The three phase BLDC motors are widely used in industries due to its high performance in terms of speed,
torque, size, low maintenance, dynamic response, noiseless operation, and so on. Due to lot of advantages, they
are widely used in industries like, aerospace modelling, consumer electronics, automation, medical electronics,
automobiles, etc.. The BLDC motors are basically Alternating current (AC) synchronous motors available in
single-phase, 2-phase and 3-phase and 3-phase motor is widely used in the applications. The BLDC motor
consists of rotor and stator, rotor is made up of permanent magnet. The stator basically resembles induction
motor and coils are properly placed in the slots and they are interconnected each other to make windings. Based
on stator windings, they are classified as trapezoidal and sinusoidal motors.
The commutation of the BLDC motor can be done electronically by mounting three Hall Effect sensors in the
stator on non driving end of the motor. The rotor position is sensed by the hall sensors and we can come know
which of the stator winding is energized. The stator windings must be energized in a sequence in order to run the
BLDC motor. The hall sensors require power supply from 5 volts to 24 volts and current range from 5 to 15
amps. The torque is produced due to interaction between magnetic field generated by the stator and permanent
magnets. Peak torque and rated torque are the two torque parameters in BLDC motors and motor can be loaded
up to rated torque in continuous operation and torque remains constant.
Nowadays there is a tremendous technological improvement in computational tools such as computer aided
design (CAD) tools and widely used in the design of more complex electronic circuits. The main advantage of
CAD tool is that allows the input data in graphical user format and we can reuse the simulation results. Before
any hardware implementation of the model, the simulation can help the designers to design the proper model. In
our work we have used MATLAB/SIMULINK for the design of BLDC motor speed control.
The hardware co simulation is done with the help of Xilinx system generator tool. This system generator
provides two tools, one tool helps us to model using blocks and other tool called hardware generator used for
HDL model. The Xilinx blocks are synthesizable and can be used for real FPGA implementation of the model.
II. SIMULINK MODEL OF THE BLDC MOTOR CONTROL
The Simulink model of BLDC motor control is as shown in Fig.1 and consists of the following blocks.
• The main power circuit: constant DC voltage source which provide 100V to driver circuit.
• The motor: the module “Permanent magnet synchronous motor” is selected with the waveform of air gap
magnetic flux density being trapezoidal and the width of its flux part is 120 electrical.
• Measurement unit: This unit consists of bus selecting module “Bus selector,” which is used to measure
the variables of the motor when it is operating such as back EMF, current, rotor speed, torque etc.
• Logic unit: Consist of logical operators, which are used for generating gate pulse signals for driving
circuit that is PWM generator.
• Controller unit: This unit consist of proportional integral controller, signal generator, relational operator.

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The back-EMF is given has feedback in closed loop system in order align with the voltage and it is very
important in commutation. There is 120 degree phase difference between each phase of the back EMF in
commutation.

Fig.1. Simulink model of BLDC motor control

The MOSFET switches are used for the realization of current commutation of BLDC motor. The switches are
connected in three phase bridge structure for three phase motor as shown in Fig.2. The switches are controlled
by using pulse width modulation (PWM), which easily controls the speed and torque.

Fig.2. Three phase bridge of MOSFET switches

The three hall sensors ha, hb and hc are required to detect the position of the rotor, which are mounted at 120
degree intervals on the stator. One of the hall sensors changes its state for every 60 degree rotation and one of
the motor terminals driven high, another terminal driven low and third terminal is floating. The phase windings
U,V and W are energized based upon the hall sensor signals. The implementation of the decoder for hall sensor
signals is as shown in Fig.3 .

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Fig.3. Implementation of decoder

III. CO SIMULATION OF THE MODEL USING SYSTEM GENARATOR

Our aim is to implement hardware co simulation of the Simulink model using HDL coder for electronic
commutation of BLDC motor. The Fig. 4 shows the Xilinx blocks, HDL coder and Simulink model for
hardware co simulation. The Xilinx Blockset is a library for bit and cycle true simulation and supports for
custom functions. The HDL coder uses Xilinx customized IP cores and generates synthesizable code. Before
real time implementation of the controller using FPGA, the prototype testing of the design is done by using
HDL coder. The prototype testing of the controller design is verified successfully by using VHDL code
generated from the HDL coder. The system generator generates bit file for FPGA and we have used VIRTEX II
pro XS2VP30 FPGA board for the implementation purpose.

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Fig.4. Co simulation of the model

The proportional integral (PI) controller is used for the regulation of motor speed which has two different
techniques of speed control, one is open loop and other one is closed loop. In our work we have used closed
loop speed control of BLDC motor, which can be controlled by using PI controller which regulates the duty
cycle. The Speed of BLDC motor is set to reference speed and any diversion from this speed will be given as
error signal to PI controller. Depending on error signal, it can increase or decrease the duty cycle of applied gate
signal
IV. RESULTS OF HARDWARE CO SIMULATION
The following table 1 shows the specifications of the motor chosen for the hardware co- simulation of the
model.
TABLE 1. BLDC Motor Specifications

Phase resistance 2.8750 ohm

Phase inductance 8.5 mH
Voltage constant 146 V/Krpm
Number of phases 3

Voltage input 100 V

Proportional constant 0.013
Integral constant 16.61
The simulation results for closed loop operation of the motor using Xilinx system generator is as shown in
Fig.5. The ha, hb and hc are the hall sensor outputs.

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Fig.5. Simulation results of closed loop system

Simulation results of the stator current are as shown in Fig. 6.

Fig.6. Stator current

The simulation results of the back EMF obtained at constant reference speed of 3000 rpm is as shown in
Fig. 7.

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Fig.7. Back EMF

The response of motor for 100V input voltage with fixed reference speed of 3000 rpm is shown in Fig. 8.

Fig.8. Speed at 100V

The motor runs with a constant reference speed of 3000 rpm. The initial response may be differ for different
input voltages but final speed of motor is the reference speed this is because of using proportional integral
controller which regulates the duty cycle of gate pulse on receiving the error signal.
V. CONCLUSION
The simulation results help us to verify the functionality of the model. The model is designed for the
commutation of BLDC motor, which works fine and performance is better. The results obtained are close to the
theoretical analysis of specifications chosen for the model. It helps us to reduce the time for writing HDL
programs. The validation of the simulation results is tested by using Xilinx Virtex II pro FPGA board.
REFERENCES
[1] Abhishek Jain, Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar, Mohd. Khursheed Siddique “ Modeling and Performance Analysis of a Permanent Magnet
Brushless DC motor using Instrumentation Technique ” International Journal of Engineering Research and General Science Volume
3, Issue 1, January-February, 2015, ISSN 2091-2730.
[2] K. Iizuka, H. Uzuhashi, M. Kano, T. Endo, and K Mohri,”Microcomputer control for sensorless brushless motor” IEEE Trans Ind
Applicat,vol IA-21, pp. 595-601, May/June 1985.
[3] Jian Zhao/Yangwei Yu, Brushless DC Motor Fundamentals, Application Note, Prepared by July 2011, AN047 Rev. 1.0
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[4] Preetha Philip, Dr. Meenakshy K ” Modelling Of Brushless DC Motor Drive Using Sensored And Sensorless Control (back EMF zero
crossing detection) “, International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering , www.ijetae.com (ISSN 2250-2459,
Volume 2, Issue 8, August 2012).
[5] P. Devendra. Madhavi TVVS, K Alice Mary, Ch. Saibabu , ” MICROCONTROLLER BASED CONTROL OF THREE PHASE
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[6] G.Prasad, N.Sree Ramya, P.V.N.Prasad, G.Tulasi Ram Das “Modelling and Simulation Analysis of the Brushless DC Motor by using
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[8] R. C. Beccerra, T. M. Jahns, and M. Ehsani, “Four quadrant sensorless brushless motor.” in Proc. IEEE APEC’91, 1991,pp. 202-209.
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AUTHOR PROFILE
Mrs Suneeta received the B E, M. Tech degree from VTU; Belgaum .working as an Assistant Professor,
VEMANA.IT, Bangalore. India. Guided many Undergraduate and post graduate students in VLSI and
Embedded field. At present pursing for Ph.D Degree with JNTUK/ Kakinada, India and life member for ISTE
and IAENG.
Dr.R.Srinivasan obtained his Bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degree from IISc, Bangalore, India. He has
served as Scientist with National Aerospace Laboratories Bangalore and with Indian Institute of Astrophysics,
Bangalore in various capacities and specialized in analog/digital controls and servo systems related to
astronomical instrumentation. He has number of papers to his credit with national & international
Journals/conferences. He is a fellow of IETE and also a member of the Astronomical Society of India.
Dr.Ram Sagar completed his M.Sc and Ph.D from University of Gorakhpur. He has served as Director with U.P
State Observatory, Nainital , as faculty in the Kumaon University, Nainital, and worked for Indian Institute of
Astrophysics, Bangalore then subsequently moved to the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational
Sciences (ARIES) as a Director. He is a Chief Editor of Journal of Astrophysics and Astronomy, fellow of the
Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, India, National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad, India and Laser and
Spectroscopic Society of India. He is a recipient of the Astronomical Society of India Young Astronomer’s
award ( 1983 – 84 ), the Royal Society, London, Commonwealth Bursary fellowship ( 1983 – 85 ), the
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation German Research fellowship(1990), and Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana
Award as Eminent Scientist of the year 2009. He has published over 225 research papers in refereed journals
and another over 120 contributions in proceedings.

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