Impact of Dead Time in Inverter Switching on Torque Ripple in PMSM Drives

In electrical propulsion applications, precise control of torque produced by Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM) is critical for system performance and reliability. Two widely used methods for torque control are current mode control and voltage mode control. Current mode control utilizes a closed-loop current regulation strategy to generate the required duty cycle for torque control. In contrast, voltage mode control directly calculates the voltage needed for the desired torque based on motor parameters, offering a viable alternative in scenarios where current sensors fail. However, voltage mode control is susceptible to higher torque ripple, influenced by factors such as dead time in the switching cycle. This project investigates the impact of dead time on torque ripple during voltage mode control and proposes methods to mitigate it through optimized dead time tuning. The findings aim to enhance the performance and reliability of PMSM drive systems in critical applications.