Implementation of a Brushless Dc Motor as a Virtual Motor

Due to their simple structure, high efficiency, fast dynamic response, Permanent Magnet Brushless DC (PMBLDC) machines are extensively used in automation, consumer electronics, electric vehicles and medical and industrial applications. Availability of these high energy density permanent magnet materials enhances the performance of PMBLDC motor drive and also reduces the size and losses in these machines. Depending on the application the controllers need to be tested, for which motors of various ratings are required. Utilizing real motors of different sizes and capacities for development and testing is difficult and mundane. If the functionality of the motor can be rendered by a system on a chip, it will reduce the development time. Hence, the development of a virtual BLDC motor is considered in this paper. A model of the BLDC motor is simulated, and its characteristics are implemented on a FPGA. It allows the realization of motors of various ratings to be tested by changing the parameters. This system functions as time and energy efficient solution for the testing and validation with out any risk of damage to motor or controller under test.