An Enhanced Model Predictive Direct Torque Control of SRM Drive Based on a Novel Modified Switching Strategy for Low Torque Ripple

The low-cost silicon-made switched reluctance motor (SRM) stands out as a prominent choice for traction motor applications due to its robust rotor structure, fault-tolerance characteristics, lack of permanent magnets, capable speed–torque characteristics, power, and torque density. However, the existing direct torque control (DTC) approach of eight voltage vectors (VVs) gives high torque ripples due to the minimum selection of switching states and improper sector partition. On the other hand, the existing model predictive direct torque control (MPDTC) model, which employs eight VVs, suffers from high torque ripples due to the minimal switching state choice and improper sector partitioning. Therefore, this article proposes an MPDTC utilization of active small and large VVs (i.e., 16 VVs) with a 16-sector partition scheme to effectively reduce torque ripple. The active VVs employed in the modified sector-based switching tables result in suppressing the torque ripples. The proposed strategy is validated and verified through MATLAB/Simulink, with detailed results that discuss the response of torque, flux, and speed in the SRM drive. The experimental results of the SRM drive operated under the MPDTC are presented to demonstrate the effective minimization of torque ripples compared to the existing DTC.