A hybrid model predictive control approach to the direct torque control problem of induction motors

Direct torque control (DTC) is a state-of-the-art control methodology for electric motor drives which features favourable control performance and implementation properties. In DTC, the core of the control system is the inverter switching table, and any efforts to enhance the system's performance aim at improving its design. This issue is addressed in this paper, where we propose a new design procedure for the DTC problem. The DTC drive, comprising a two- or three-level dc-link inverter driving a three-phase induction motor, is modelled in the hybrid mixed logical dynamical (MLD) framework, and a constrained finite-time optimal control problem is set up and solved over a receding horizon using model predictive control (MPC). Simulation results are provided and compared to the current industrial standard demonstrating the potential for notable performance improvements.