Integral Sliding Mode Controller for Modular Multilevel Inverter‐Based PMSM Drives

This paper introduces a new structured three‐phase modular multilevel inverter (MMLI) as the basis for a new permanent magnet synchronous motor drive. The primary contribution of this work is the development of an integral sliding mode controller (ISMC) designed for motor speed and current regulation, optimized to enhance control performance with the unique MMLI structure. The proposed MMLI architecture offers a reduced number of switching components and passive elements, thereby minimizing system size and improving overall footprint. A Sinusoidal Pulse‐Width Modulation (SPWM) scheme, combined with the ISMC, is employed for high‐resolution voltage control in the permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). The stability of the proposed system is proven using the Lyapunov stability theorem. Comparative analyses with a conventional PI‐controller are conducted under various operating conditions, confirming the superior performance of the proposed controller during starting, low and high‐speed operations, and load variations. The system's results, with a settling time of 0.012 s and a maximum dip speed of 1.8 r/min, demonstrate the effectiveness of the ISMC for PMSM drives via MMLI, as verified through MATLAB/SIMULINK software, considering hardware‐in‐loop operation.