Real-time implementation and comparative analysis of fault-tolerant control strategies for induction motor drives

Abstract

For nearly five decades, the induction motor has been the most widely used electrical machine in industry due to its robustness, simplicity, and low cost, supported by advances in power electronics enabling effective performance control. While DC motors were previously favored for their ease of speed and torque regulation, induction motors have gained prominence because they do not require brushes and involve fewer wear-prone components, resulting in reduced maintenance and improved reliability. Consequently, they are widely employed in industrial applications and emerging fields such as electric and hybrid vehicles. This study presents a comparative analysis of two fault-tolerant control (FTC) strategies: field-oriented control (FOC) and direct torque control (DTC). The evaluation focuses on sensitivity to parameter variations, dynamic performance, and steady-state behavior. Both strategies, classified under vector control techniques, are implemented in real time using a dSPACE platform to control an induction motor under an open-circuit fault in a two-level inverter. Results demonstrate that the DTC-based FTC approach offers superior robustness and stability compared to the IFOC-based method, particularly under fault conditions, load disturbances, and speed variations.