The implementation of a position sensorless drive for Brushless DC (BLDC) motors enhances reliability, reduces cost, and improves compactness in motor control systems. This study develops a control strategy that eliminates physical position sensors by estimating rotor position through back electromotive force (BEMF) and zero-crossing detection. Advanced techniques such as Phase Locked Loops (PLL) and Sliding Mode Observers (SMO) are applied for accurate commutation under variable load and speed. The system was implemented using a low-cost microcontroller, and experimental validation was conducted to compare performance before and after sensorless integration. Results showed a dust removal efficiency of 94.2%, a reduction in cleaning duration by 18%, and energy consumption per cleaning cycle of 0.025 kWh. Testing was conducted under standard ambient conditions (25°C, 1.01 atm) on a 250 W BLDC motor. Simulation and experimental analysis demonstrated smooth startup, steady-state behavior, and a rotor speed error margin below 3% compared to Hall-sensor-based control, validating the effectiveness of the sensorless design.
Ajinkya et al. (Wed,) studied this question.