Bifurcations and chaos in indirect field-oriented control of induction motors

Stability of indirect field-oriented control (IFOC) of induction motor drives is greatly influenced by estimated value of rotor time constant. By choosing estimation error of rotor time constant as bifurcation parameter, the conditions of generating Hopf bifurcation in IFOC drives are analyzed. Dynamic responses and Lyapunov exponents show that chaos and limit cycles will arise for some ranges of load torque with certain PI speed controller setting. Stable drives are required for conventional applications,but chaotic rotation can promote efficiency or improve dynamic characteristics of drives. Thus, the study may be a guideline for designing a stable system or an oscillating system.