EE3019- EMBEDDED CONTROL FOR ELECTRIC DRIVES

Question Bank

UNIT I INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC DRIVES

PART-A

1. What is meant by electrical drives?

Systems employed for motion control are called drives and they employ any of the
prime movers such as diesel or petrol engines, gas or steam turbines, hydraulic motors and
electric motors for supplying mathematical energy for motion control. Drives employing
electric motion are called electric drives.
2. What is active load torque? (April/May 2015)
Load torques which has the potential to drive the motor under equilibrium conditions
are called active load torque.
3. Specify the functions of power modulator.
Power modulator performs one or more of the following four functions.
a. Modulates flow of power form the source to the motor in such a manner that
motor is imparted speed-torque characteristics required by the load.
b. During transient operations, such as starting, braking and speed reversal, it
restricts source and motor currents within permissible values; excessive current
drawn from source may overload it or may cause a voltage dip.
4. Mention the different types of drives.
1) Group drive
2) Individual drive
3) Multi motor drive
5. List the different types of electrical drives.
1) DC drives
2) AC drives
6. What is the speed torque conventions used in multi quadrant operation? (AU 2012)
 PART-B
1. Give a brief explanation on the selection of drives.
2. Derive the fundamental torque equations for a motor-load system. (AU 2013)
3. Explain the four quadrant operation of electric drives. (April/May 2015)
4. Explain in detail about the machine learning based control of Electrical Drives.
5. Explain in detail about the various optimization techniques to control the Electrical
Drives
UNIT II EMBEDDED SYSTEM FOR MOTOR CONTROL
Part A
1. List the various sensors used to control the motor drives
I. Encoder:
 Rotary Encoder: Measures the position of the motor shaft in terms of angular
displacement.
 Linear Encoder: Measures linear position or displacement in a straight line.
II. Resolver:
 Provides angular position feedback in a similar way to an encoder but is more robust
in certain environments.
III. Hall Effect Sensors:
 Used in brushless DC motors to detect the rotor's position and facilitate
commutation.
IV. Current Sensors:
 Hall Effect Current Sensors: Measure the electric current flowing through the motor
windings.
 Shunt Resistors: Voltage drop across a shunt resistor is proportional to the current.
V. Voltage Sensors:
 Measure the voltage across the motor terminals for control and protection purposes.
VI. Temperature Sensors:
 Monitor the temperature of the motor and associated electronics to prevent
overheating.
VII. Accelerometer:
 Measures acceleration and is often used for vibration monitoring and control.
VIII. Gyroscope:
 Measures the rate of rotation and is useful in applications where rotational
information is critical.
IX. Infrared (IR) Sensors:
 Used for non-contact temperature measurement in certain motor applications.
X. Proximity Sensors:
 Detect the presence or absence of an object and are used for position sensing.
XI. Force/Torque Sensors:
 Measure force or torque applied to the motor shaft or load.
XII. Tachometer:
 Measures the rotational speed of the motor shaft.
XIII. Resolver-to-Digital Converter (RDC):
 Converts resolver signals into digital signals for use in digital control systems.
XIV. Optical Encoders:
 Use light and photoelectric sensors to measure position or speed.
XV. Strain Gauges:
  Measure deformation or strain in the motor structure, providing feedback on
mechanical stress.
XVI. Pressure Sensors:
 Monitor fluid pressure in hydraulic or pneumatic systems connected to the motor.

2. What is Hall Sesnsor?

A Hall sensor, also known as a Hall effect sensor, is a transducer that produces an
electrical voltage in response to a magnetic field. It takes advantage of the Hall effect, which
is the production of a voltage difference (Hall voltage) across an electrical conductor
perpendicular to the electric current and the magnetic field.
3. What are the factors that influenced in the selection of processors?
Performance requirement, Power consumption, Cost, Scalability, Reliablity
4. What are the interface modules available in the embedded systems?

Embedded systems often require various interface modules to communicate with external
devices, sensors, networks, and other components. The choice of interface modules depends
on the specific requirements of the embedded system and the nature of the peripherals it
needs to interact with. Here are some common interface modules used in embedded
systems:

I. Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART):

 UART is a serial communication protocol used for asynchronous communication between
devices. It's commonly used for communication between microcontrollers and other
peripherals.
II. Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI):
 SPI is a synchronous serial communication protocol that allows full-duplex communication
between a master device and multiple peripheral devices. It's often used for connecting
sensors, memory devices, and display modules.
III. Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C):
 I2C is a multi-master, multi-slave serial communication protocol used for short-distance
communication between devices. It's commonly used for connecting sensors, EEPROMs,
and other low-speed peripherals.
IV. Controller Area Network (CAN):
 CAN is a robust, asynchronous, multi-master, multi-node communication protocol
commonly used in automotive and industrial applications for real-time communication
between microcontrollers.

V. Ethernet Interface:
 Embedded systems that require networking capabilities often use Ethernet interfaces for
wired communication. It enables connectivity to local networks and the internet.
VI. USB (Universal Serial Bus):
 USB interfaces are used for connecting various peripherals such as storage devices, cameras,
and input devices to embedded systems. USB comes in different versions, including USB
2.0 and USB 3.0.
VII. I2S (Inter-IC Sound):
 I2S is a serial bus interface standard for connecting digital audio devices. It's commonly
used in embedded systems for audio applications, such as connecting microphones,
speakers, and audio codecs.
VIII. GPIO (General-Purpose Input/Output):
  GPIO pins allow the microcontroller to interact with external digital devices. These pins can
be configured as inputs or outputs, and their state can be controlled or read by the
microcontroller.
IX. PWM (Pulse Width Modulation):
 PWM is a technique for controlling analog devices using digital signals. It's often used to
control the speed of motors, the brightness of LEDs, and other applications requiring
variable analog output.
X. ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter):
 ADC modules allow microcontrollers to convert analog signals from sensors or other analog
devices into digital values for processing.
XI. DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter):
 DAC modules enable microcontrollers to generate analog signals based on digital values.
They are used in applications requiring precise analog output.
XII. Wireless Interfaces (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc.):
 Embedded systems may incorporate various wireless communication interfaces for
connectivity. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and other wireless standards are used for short-range
or long-range communication.
XIII. SD/MMC (Secure Digital/MultiMediaCard):
 SD/MMC interfaces are used for connecting memory cards to store and retrieve data in
embedded systems.
XIV. Display Interfaces (I2C, SPI, RGB, HDMI):
 Different display modules require specific interfaces for communication. Common
interfaces include I2C, SPI, RGB, and HDMI for connecting displays to embedded systems.
XV. CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-rate):
 An extension of the traditional CAN protocol, CAN FD supports higher data rates, making it
suitable for applications with increased bandwidth requirements.

5. List the advantages of I2C Protocol.

Two-Wire Interface, Multi-Master Capability, Low Pin Count, Low Power
Consumption, Hot Swapping Support, Wide Adoption and Standardization

Part B
1. What is SPI? Explain the operation of SPI in detail
2. Explain the I2C Protocol in detail.
3. What is UART? Explain the operation of UART in detail
4. Explain the IoT based control of electrical drives in detail.

UNIT III INDUCTION MOTOR DRIVES

TWO MARKS
1. What are the different methods of braking applied to the induction motor?
1. Regenerative braking
2. Plugging
3. Dynamic braking.
2. What are the different methods of speed control of IM?
1. Stator voltage control
 2. Supply freq. control
3. Rotor resistance control
4. Slip power recovery control.
3. What is meant by stator voltage control?
The speed of the IM can be changed by changing the stator voltage because the
torque is proportional to the square of the voltage.
4. Mention the application of stator voltage control. (AU 2011)
This method is suitable for applications where torque demand reduced with speed,
which points towards its suitability for fan and pump drives.
5. Mention the applications of ac drives.
AC drives are used in a no. of applications such as fans, blowers, mill run-out tables,
cranes, conveyors, traction etc.
6. What are the three regions in the speed-torque characteristics in the IM?
1. Motoring region (0<=s<=1)
2. Generating region(s<0)
3. Plugging region (1<=s<=2) where s is the slip.

7. Define slip.
The difference between the synchronous speed (Ns) and actual speed (N)of the rotor
is known as slip speed. the % of slip is given by, %slip s=[(Ns-N)/Ns]x 100
8. What is meant by V/F control?
When the frequency is reduced the i/p voltage must be reduced proportionally so as
to maintain constant flux otherwise the core will get saturated resulting in excessive iron
loss and magnetizing current. This type of IM behaviour is similar to the working of dc
series motor.
9. What are the advantages of V/F control? (AU 2011, 2012)
1. Smooth speed ctrl
2. Small i/p current and improved power factor at low freq. start
3. Higher starting torque for low case resistance
10. Give the applications of induction motors drives.
Although variable speed induction motor drives are generally expensive than D.C.
drives, they are used in a number of applications such as fans, blowers, mill run-out tables,
cranes, conveyors, traction etc., because of the advantages of induction motors. Other
applications involved are underground and underwater installations, and explosive and dirty
environments.
 Part B
1. Explain the operation constant V/f control of induction motor and draw the waveforms.
(AU 2011)
2. Describe briefly the PWM inverter fed induction motor drive.
3. Explain about VSI induction motor drives and also closed loop control for VSI induction
motor drives. (AU 2013).
4. Explain in detail about the fuzzy logic based induction motor control in detail.
5. What are the embedded processors employed to control the Speed of the Induction motor.
Explain any one in detail.
UNIT IV BLDC MOTOR CONTROL
1. Why adjustable speed drives are preferred over a fixed speed motor?
The common reasons for preferring an adjustable speed drives over a fixed speed
motor are:
 Energy saving e.g. Fan or pump flow process
 Velocity and position control e.g. Electric train, portable tools, washing machine
 Amelioration of transients: Starting and stopping of motors produce sudden
transients. It can be smoothened using adjustable speed drives.

2. What is the structure of an adjustable speed drive system?

The general structure of a motion control system or drive consists of the following
elements:
 the load
 the motor
 the power electronic converter; and
 The control.
3.Compare brushless DC motor with P.M. commutator motor. (AU MAY 2013)

Brushless DC motor P.M. Commutator motor

1. No Brushes. Maintenance problems 1. Commutator based DC machines need
(RFI, sparking, ignition and fire accidents) carbon brushes, so sparking and wear and
eliminated. tear is un avoidable.
2. More cross sectional available for 2. Armature winding is inside and the
armature windings. Conduction of heat magnet is on the stator outside.
through the frame is improved.
3. Increase in electric loading is possible, 3. Efficiency less.
 providing a greater specific torque. Higher
efficiency.
4. Space saving, higher speed possible, 4. Commutator restricts speed.
with reduced inertia.
5. Maximum speed limited by retention of 5. Magnet is on the stator. No problem.
magnet against centrifugal force.
6. Shaft position sensor is a must. 6. Not mandatory.
7. Complex electronics for controller. 7. Simple

4. What are the modes of operation of the square wave BLDC motor?
There are two modes of operation: 120 degree mode and 180 degree mode. The
mode corresponds to the conduction period of the switches in the voltage source inverter.
Each switch conducts for the period 120 or 180 degree as per the mode. Commutation from
one conducting device to another takes place at every 60 degree intervals.

5. Why the shape of the emf waveform of a BLDC is trapezoidal?

The ideal shape of the emf waveform is rectangular. The effect of slotting and
fringing causes its corner to be rounded and hence the shape is trapezoidal with flat top
portion with 120 degree
6.What are the types of sensors used with PMBLDC motors?
Hall effect sensors are most commonly used for speed, position sensing with
PMBLDC motors. Optical Disc based sensors are also used. Presently rotor position
sensors are avoided by using alternative methods called as Sensorless control methods,
which uses terminal emf measurement, third harmonic voltage measurement, flux estimation
and neuro – fuzzy techniques etc.

7. Why MOSFET or IGBTs are used in inverters for PMBLDC motors?

These devices operate at very high switching frequencies for PWM method of
operation. The duty cycle of the PWM decides the average voltage applied to the motor and
hence the speed is adjusted. These devices are easy to commutate by using microprocessor
or microcontroller based software. (Base drive)
8. What are the relative merits and demerits of brush less DC motor drives?
Merits:
 Commutator less motor
  Specified electrical loading is better
 Heat can be easily dissipated
 No sparking takes place due to brush
 Source of EMI is avoided
Demerits:
 Above 10 kW, the cost of magnet is increase
 Due to centrifugal force the magnet may come out.
9.What are the difference between conventional DC motor and PMBLDC motor? (AU
NOV 2012)
DC PMBLDC
Brushes are present Brushes are not present
Sparking may occur due to brush Sparking will not occur as brush is not
present
Brush tend to produce RF1 RF1 problem does not occur
There is a need for brush maintenance No need of brush maintenance

10.Bring out the differences between conventional and brushless DC motors?(AU NOV
2012)
Description Conventional motors Brushless DC motors
Mechanical structure Field magnets on the stator Field magnets on the rotor.
Similar to AC synchronous
motor.
Distinctive features Quick response and Long – lasting
excellent controllability Easy maintenance

Commutation method Mechanical contact between Electronic switching using

brushes and commutator transistors

11. Write the difference between square wave PMBL and sine wave PMBL motor.
S.No. Square wave PMBL Sine wave PMBL motor
1. It has rectangular distribution of It has sinusoidal or quasi – sinusoidal
magnetic flux in the air gap. distribution of magnetic flux in the air
gap.
2. It has rectangular current It has sinusoidal or quasi – sinusoidal
waveforms. current waveforms.
 3. It has concentrated stator winding It has quasi – sinusoidal distribution of
stator winding (conductors) which is
short pitch and distributed or sometimes
distributed in some cases.

Part B
1. Explain the Speed control methods of BLDC motor in detail
2. Describe briefly about PWM techniques based speed control in detail
3. Explain about Embedded processor based BDLC motor speed control with neat diagram
4. Derive the torque and EMF equations of the permanent magnet brushless DC motor.

UNIT V SRM MOTOR CONTROL

Part A
1. What are the different types of reluctance machines? Compare them.
Reluctance machines are synchronous machines with certain unique features
pertaining primarily to their doubly salient stator and rotor pole design. The machines are
robust, use simple construction, and are suitable for high speeds. They include two types,
switched and synchronous.
The synchronous reluctance motor is used in industry, where motors are required to
operate in synchronism or where highly regulated speed control is required using a variable-
frequency drive. The motors provide constant, unvarying (or highly controlled) speed from
no load to full load with no slip.
The switched reluctance motor (SRM) is excited by current pulses applied to each
phase. The current pulses are applied based on precise rotor position. The inductance profile
is triangular, with maximum inductance when it is in an aligned position.
2. What is the principle of operation of reluctance machine?
In reluctance machines, torque is produced by the tendency of the rotor to move to a
position where the inductance of the excited stator winding is maximized (i.e., rotor tooth
aligns with active stator phase to minimize reluctance). The rotor is typically constructed of
soft magnetic iron shaped so as to maximize the variation of inductance with rotor position.
Opposite poles form a phase and the phases are magnetically independent of one another.
The machines tend to be noisy; a characteristic that has limited their applications in the past
and has also limited their use currently in vehicles. Research has been on-going for years in
an attempt to address the noise issue, but little has been accomplished in actual noise
mitigation. Reluctance machines are relatively low-cost machines, and they generally do not
contain PMs.
3. What are the properties of Reluctance motor?
 Combined reluctance and magnet alignment torque
 Field weakening capability
 Under excited operation for most loaded condition
 High inductance
 High speed capability
 High temperature capability
4. What are the various stator current modes used in synchronous reluctance motor?
 Unipolar current modes
 Bipolar current modes

5. Mention the applications of distributed anisotropy cage rotor of synchronous

reluctance motor?
These rotors are used for line – start (constant voltage and frequency) applications.
6. Mention the applications of distributed anisotropy Cageless rotor of synchronous
reluctance motor?
These rotors are used for variable speed applications.
7. What is Synchronous reluctance motor? (AU NOV 2013)
Synchronous reluctance motor is similar to three – phase Synchronous motor except
the rotor are demagnetized and made with saliency to increase the reluctance power. It is a
motor which develops torque due to the difference in reluctance of the two axis, namely
quadrature and direct axis.
8. What is meant by reluctance torque?
The torque which is exhibited on the rotor due to the difference in reluctance in the
air gap (or) a function of angular position of rotor with respect to the stator coil is known as
reluctance torque.
9. What are the advantages of Synchronous reluctance motor?
 Rotor is simple in construction i.e. very low inertia
  Robust
 Low torque, ripple
 Can be operated from standard PWM AC Inverters.
 It can be also built with a standard induction motor, stator and windings.
10. What are the disadvantages of Synchronous reluctance motor?
 It has poor power factor performance and therefore the efficiency is not as high as
permanent magnet motor.
Part B
1. Explain the principle of operation and constructional features of Synchronous
reluctance motor.(AU NOV 2012,MAY 2014)
2. Explain the torque – speed and torque – angle characteristics of Synchronous reluctance
motor.(AU NOV 2013)
3. What are the speed control methods available to control the speed of SRM in detail?
4. Describe briefly about PWM techniques based speed control in detail
5 Explain about Embedded processor based SRM motor speed control with neat sketch