Advanced nonlinear control techniques for PMSM drives: A comprehensive review and comparative analysis

• Nonlinear control • Permanent magnet synchronous motors • Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference Systems • Backstepping Control • Sliding Mode Control • Second-Order SMC This paper presents a comprehensive review and comparative analysis of nonlinear control techniques for permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drives. The study covers conventional methods such as Feedback Linearization Control (FBLC), Backstepping Control (BSC), Integral Backstepping Control (IBSC), and in particular Sliding Mode Control (SMC). The review also examines enhancements to Conventional Sliding Mode Control (CSMC) aimed at overcoming its limitations. Enhanced SMC variants include Pseudo-Sliding Mode (PSM), High-Order Sliding Mode (SMC-HOS), and Approaching Reaching Law (ARL), as well as hybrid strategies such as high order Sliding Mode Control based on Terminal Strategies and Super-Twisting Algorithm (the proposed SMC-STA-HOTS). Most importantly, we introduce and evaluate the proposed SMC-STA-HOTS. Among the investigated methods, SMC-TS and SMC-STA already demonstrate superior performance compared to the other nonlinear controllers. However, SMC-STA-HOTS clearly surpasses both of them. Simulation results show that SMC-STA-HOTS achieves up to 40% faster rise time compared to SMC-TS, reduces steady-state error (SSE) to as low as 0.023%, representing a fivefold reduction compared to SMC-STA. In addition, SMC-STA-HOTS significantly minimizes chattering, which only appears as very small and smooth ripples, and achieves the lowest total harmonic distortion (THD) of 0.42%. Furthermore, it provides excellent stability and robustness against uncertainties, making it the most effective among all nine studied control strategies. The comparative analysis emphasizes the accuracy, dynamic response, robustness to uncertainties, and disturbance rejection capabilities of all investigated types of PMSM controllers. The results are obtained using MATLAB/Simulink simulations. This serves as a guide for individuals in scientific research or industry to make an informed decision when selecting the most suitable controller for PMSMs, based on the intended application and use.