Sensorless Field-Oriented Control of 3-phase Induction Motor using PLL estimator: MCHV-230VAC-1.5kW Development Board and dsPIC33CK256MP508 Motor Control DIM

1. INTRODUCTION

This document describes the setup requirements for driving a 3 Phase AC Induction Motor (ACIM) using Sensorless Field Oriented Control (FOC) and PLL Estimator on the hardware platform EV78U65A "MCHV-230VAC-1.5kW Development Board" and EV62P66A "dsPIC33CK256MP508 Motor Control Dual In-line Module (DIM)".

For details about PLL estimator, refer to Microchip application note AN1206 “Sensorless Field Oriented Control (FOC) of an AC Induction Motor (ACIM) Using Field Weakening”.

Voltage feedback-based field weakening algorithm is implemented for better utilization of the DC link voltage.

2. SUGGESTED DEMONSTRATION REQUIREMENTS

2.1 Motor Control Application Firmware Required for the Demonstration

To clone or download this application firmware on GitHub,

• Navigate to the main page of this repository and
• On the tab <> Code, above the list of files in the right-hand corner, click Code, then from the menu, click Download ZIP or copy the repository URL to clone.

Note:
In this document, hereinafter this firmware package is referred as firmware.

2.2 Software Tools Used for Testing the firmware

• MPLAB® X IDE v6.20
• Device Family Pack (DFP): dsPIC33CK-MP_DFP v1.13.366
• Curiosity/Starter Kits Tool Pack : PKOB4_TP v1.14.1168
• MPLAB® XC-DSC Compiler v3.10
• MPLAB® X IDE Plugin: X2C-Scope v1.6.6

Note:
The software used for testing the firmware prior to release is listed above. It is recommended to use the version listed above or later versions for building the firmware. All previous versions of Device Family Packs (DFP) and Tool Packs can be downloaded from Microchip Packs Repository.

2.3 Hardware Tools Required for the Demonstration

• MCHV-230VAC-1.5kW Development Board (EV78U65A)
• dsPIC33CK256MP508 Motor Control Dual In-line Module (EV62P66A)
• 3-phase, 220VAC, 25 Watt 4-Pole Induction Motor - ZD 41K25A-S Motor (AC300023)

Note:
All items listed under the section Hardware Tools Required for the Demonstration are available at microchip DIRECT

3. HARDWARE SETUP

This section describes the hardware setup required for the demonstration. Refer "Motor Control High Voltage 230VAC-1.5kW Development Board User's Guide", before operating the unit.

Note:
In this document, hereinafter the MCHV-230VAC-1.5kW Development Board is referred as development board.

1. Motor currents are amplified by the amplifiers internal to the dsPIC33CK256MP508 on the DIM. The firmware and DIM are configured to sample and convert internal amplifier outputs ('internal op-amp configuration') by default to measure the motor currents needed to implement FOC. Table-1 summarizes the jumper resistors(0R) on the DIM for ‘internal op-amp configuration’.

   

2. The internal amplifier gains need to be modified to measure a peak current of 5A. Table-2 summarizes the changes in the resistor values for reconfiguring the internal amplifier gain.

   

3. Ensure the development board is not powered and it is fully discharged. Verify the LEDs LD1(Green) and LD4(Red) on Power Factor Correction Board and LD1(Green) on Motor Control Inverter Board are not glowing.

   

4. Remove the thumb screw and open the top cover of the enclosure. Insert the dsPIC33CK256MP508 Motor Control DIM into the DIM Interface connector J2 on the development board. Make sure the DIM is placed correctly and oriented before going ahead. Close the top cover of the enclosure and secure it with the thumb screw.

   

5. Connect the 3-phase wires from the motor to A, B, and C (no specific order) of the connector J13(MOTOR) on the development board.

   

6. Power the PFC board from a controlled AC source by applying voltage of 230V_{ac rms} through IEC connector connector J1 provided on the PFC board.

   

Note:
The Development Board is designed to operate in the 90 to 230V_{ac rms} voltage range with a maximum input current of 10A_rms. In the Input AC voltage range of 90 to 150V_{ac rms}, the maximum input power to the Development Board must be derated (<1500W) to maintain the input current through the socket to less than or equal to 10A_rms.

7. The development board has an on-board programming tool called the Isolated PKoB4 Daughter Board. To use the on-board programmer, connect a micro-USB cable between the Host PC and connector J11(PROGRAM) on the development board.

   

Note:
Use only shielded micro-USB cables intended for data transfer.

8. To establish serial communication with the host PC, connect a micro-USB cable between the host PC and connector J8(USB-UART) on the development board.

   

Note:
Use only shielded micro-USB cables intended for data transfer.

4. SOFTWARE SETUP AND RUN

4.1 Setup: MPLAB X IDE and MPLAB XC-DSC Compiler

Install MPLAB X IDE and MPLAB XC-DSC Compiler versions that support the device dsPIC33CK256MP508 and PKoBv4. The MPLAB X IDE, MPLAB XC-DSC Compiler, and X2C-Scope plug-in used for testing the firmware are mentioned in the Motor Control Application Firmware Required for the Demonstration section.

To get help on

• MPLAB X IDE installation, refer link
• MPLAB XC-DSC Compiler installation steps, refer link

If MPLAB IDE v8 or earlier is already installed on your computer, then run the MPLAB driver switcher (Installed when MPLAB®X IDE is installed) to switch from MPLAB IDE v8 drivers to MPLAB X IDE drivers. If you have Windows 8 or 10, you must run the MPLAB driver switcher in Administrator Mode. To run the Device Driver Switcher GUI application as administrator, right-click on the executable (or desktop icon) and select Run as Administrator. For more details, refer to the MPLAB X IDE help topic “Before You Begin: Install the USB Device Drivers (For Hardware Tools): USB Driver Installation for Windows Operating Systems.”

4.2 Setup: X2C-SCOPE

X2C-Scope is a MPLAB X IDE plugin that allows developers to interact with an application while it runs. X2C-Scope enables you to read, write, and plot global variables (for motor control) in real-time. It communicates with the target using the UART. To use X2C-Scope, the plugin must be installed. To set up and use X2C-Scope, refer to the instructions provided on the web page.

5. BASIC DEMONSTRATION

5.1 Firmware Description

The firmware version needed for the demonstration is mentioned in the section Motor Control Application Firmware Required for the Demonstration section. This firmware is implemented to work on Microchip’s Digital signal controller (dsPIC® DSC) dsPIC33CK256MP508. For more information, see the dsPIC33CK256MP508 Family datasheet (DS70005349).

The Motor Control Demo application uses a push button to start or stop the motor and a potentiometer to vary the speed of the motor. This Motor Control Demo Application configures and uses peripherals like PWM, ADC, UART, etc. For more details, refer to Microchip Application note AN1206, “Sensorless Field Oriented Control (FOC) of an AC Induction Motor (ACIM) Using Field Weakening” available on the Microchip website.

Note:
The project may not build correctly in Windows OS if the Maximum path length of any source file in the project is more than 260 characters. In case the absolute path exceeds or nears the maximum length, do any (or both) of the following:

• Shorten the directory name containing the firmware used in this demonstration. If you renamed the directory, consider the new name while reading the instructions provided in the upcoming sections of the document.
• Place firmware in a location such that the total path length of each file included in the projects does not exceed the Maximum Path length specified.
  Refer to MPLAB X IDE help topic “Path, File, and Folder Name Restrictions” for details.

5.2 Basic Demonstration

Follow the below instructions, step by step, to set up and run the motor control demo application:

1. Start MPLAB X IDE and open the project acim_mchv.X (File > Open Project) with device selection dsPIC33CK256MP508.

   

2. Set the project acim_mchv.X as the main project by right-clicking on the project name and selecting Set as Main Project as shown. The project acim_mchv.X will then appear in bold.

   

3. Open userparms.h (acim_mchv.X > Header Files) in the project acim_mchv.X.

   • Ensure that the macros OPEN_LOOP_FUNCTIONING, and TORQUE_MODE are not defined and the macro FDWEAK_CONTROL_ENABLE is defined in the header file userparms.h.

     

   • By default the macro FD_WEAK_TYPE_VOLTAGE_FB is defined. The FD_WEAK_TYPE_VOLTAGE_FB macro is used to select the field weakening control method. Define the FD_WEAK_TYPE_VOLTAGE_FB macro for voltage feedback based field weakening control. Undefine the macro for conventional inverse-speed based field weakening control

     

   • Ensure that the macro INTERNAL_OPAMP_CONFIG is defined in userparms.h.

     

   • Firmware is configured to run with ZD 41K25A-S Motor (AC300023) by default. The macro ZD_41K25A_MOTOR should be defined in userparms.h.

     

Note:
The firmware also includes the configuration for running LEESON 0.33 HP 3-phase AC Induction Motor(Model: C4T34FB5A). Define the macro LEESON_MOTOR and undefine the macro ZD_41K25A_MOTOR in userparms.h to use the firmware for running LEESON Motor.

4. Right-click on the project acim_mchv.X and select Properties to open its Project Properties Dialog. Click the Conf:[MCHV] category to reveal the general project configuration information. The development tools used for testing the firmware are listed in section 2.2 Software Tools Used for Testing the firmware.

   In the Conf:[MCHV] category window:

   • Ensure the selected Device is dsPIC33CK256MP508.
   • Select the Connected Hardware Tool to be used for programming and debugging.
   • Select the specific Device Family Pack (DFP) from the available list of Packs. In this case, dsPIC33CK-MP_DFP v1.13.366 is selected.
   • Select the specific Compiler Toolchain from the available list of XC-DSC compilers. In this case, XC-DSC(v3.10) is selected.
   • After selecting Hardware Tool and Compiler Toolchain, Device Pack, click the button Apply

   Please ensure that the selected MPLAB® XC-DSC Compiler and Device Pack support the device configured in the firmware

   

5. Ensure that the checkbox Load symbols when programming or building for production (slows process) is checked under the Loading category of the Project Properties window.

   

   Also, go to Tools > Options , and

   

   Open the Embedded > Generic Settings tab and ensure that the ELF debug session symbol load methodology (MIPS/ARM) is selected as Pre-processed (Legacy) from the drop down.

   

6. To build the project (in this case, acim_mchv.X) and program the device dsPIC33CK256MP508, click Make and Program Device Main project on the toolbar

   

7. If the device is successfully programmed, LED1 will be turned ON, indicating that the dsPIC® DSC is enabled.

   

8. Run or stop the motor by pressing the push button BUTTON 1. The motor should start spinning smoothly in one direction. Ensure that the motor is spinning smoothly without any vibration. The LED LED2 is turned ON to show the button is pressed to start the motor.

   

9. The motor speed can be varied using the potentiometer (POT).

   

10. Press the push button BUTTON 1 to stop the motor.

Note:
The macros MINIMUM_SPEED_RPM, NOMINAL_SPEED_RPM, and MAXIMUM_SPEED_RPM are specified in the header file userparms.h included in the project acim_mchv.X. The macros NOMINAL_SPEED_RPM and MAXIMUM_SPEED_RPM are defined as per the Motor manufacturer’s specifications. Exceeding manufacture specifications may damage the motor or the board or both.

5.3 Data visualization through X2C-Scope Plug-in of MPLAB X

X2C-Scope is a third-party plug-in in MPLAB X, which helps in real-time diagnostics. The application firmware comes with the initialization needed to interface the controller with the host PC to enable data visualization through the X2C-Scope plug-in. Ensure the X2C-Scope plug-in is installed. For more information on how to set up a plug-in, refer to either the Microchip Developer Help page or the web page.

1. To establish serial communication with the host PC, connect a micro-USB cable between the host PC and connector J8 on the development board.

2. Ensure the application is configured and running as described under section 5.2 Basic Demonstration by following steps 1 through 10.

3. Open the X2C-Scope window by selecting Tools>Embedded>X2CScope.

   

4. In the X2C-Scope Configuration window, open the Connection Setup tab and click Select Project. This opens the drop-down menu Select Project with a list of opened projects. Select the specific project acim_mchv from the list of projects and click OK.

   

5. To configure and establish the serial communication for X2C-Scope, open the X2CScope Configuration window, click on the Connection Setup tab and:

   • Set Baudrate as 115200, which is configured in the application firmware.
   • Click on the Refresh button to refresh and update the list of the available Serial COM ports connected to the Host PC.
   • Select the specific Serial port detected when interfaced with the development board. The Serial port depends on the system settings

   

6. Once the Serial port is detected, click on Disconnected and turn to Connected, to establish serial communication between the Host PC and the board.

   

7. Open the Project Setup tab in the X2CScope Configuration window and,

   • Set Scope Sampletime as the interval at which X2CScopeUpdate() is called. In this application, it is every 50µs.
   • Then, click Set Values to save the configuration.

   

8. Click on Open Scope View (in the Data Views tab of the X2CScope Configuration Window); this opens Scope Window.

   

9. In the Scope Window, select the variables that must be watched. To do this, click on the Source against each channel, and a window Select Variables opens on the screen. From the available list, the required variable can be chosen. Ensure checkboxes Enable and Visible are checked for the variables to be plotted. To view data plots continuously, uncheck Single-shot. When Single-shot is checked, it captures the data once and stops. The Sample time factor value multiplied by Sample time decides the time difference between any two consecutive data points on the plot.

   

10. Click on SAMPLE, then the X2C-Scope window plots variables in real-time, which updates automatically.

    

11. Click on ABORT to stop.

    

6. REFERENCES:

For additional information, refer following documents or links.

1. AN1206 Application Note “Sensorless Field Oriented Control (FOC) of an AC Induction Motor (ACIM) Using Field Weakening”
2. Motor Control High Voltage 230VAC-1.5kW Development Board User’s Guide (DS70005576)
3. dsPIC33CK256MP508 Motor Control Dual In-Line Module (DIM) Information Sheet (DS50003063)
4. dsPIC33CK256MP508 Family datasheet (DS70005349H)
5. MPLAB® X IDE User’s Guide (DS50002027) or MPLAB® X IDE help
6. MPLAB® X IDE installation
7. MPLAB® XC-DSC Compiler installation
8. Installation and setup of X2Cscope plugin for MPLAB X
9. Microchip Packs Repository