Comparative Design and Performance Analysis of Sliding Mode Control Techniques for BLDC Motor Speed Regulation in EV Applications

Abstract

Brushless DC (BLDC) motors offer significant advantages over conventional DC motors, including high efficiency, low noise, enhanced reliability, longer lifespan, and a high torque-to-weight ratio, making them well suited for electric vehicle (EV) applications. However, precise speed regulation is essential to ensure optimal performance under varying load conditions. This paper presents a comparative analysis of three Sliding Mode Control (SMC) techniques—first-order SMC, second-order SMC, and Integral SMC—for BLDC motor speed control. The study considers a BLDC motor rated at 1 kW, 3000 rpm, operating under a load torque of 3 N·m. The performance of each control strategy is evaluated in terms of steady-state error, stability, and dynamic response. Simulation results obtained using MATLAB/Simulink demonstrate that the Integral SMC approach outperforms the other methods, achieving the lowest steady-state error of 2.4 rpm, compared to 4.9 rpm for firstorder SMC and 9.5 rpm for second-order SMC. The findings indicate that Integral SMC provides superior accuracy and robustness for speed regulation. Overall, the proposed analysis confirms the suitability of BLDC motors and advanced SMC techniques for efficient and reliable operation in electric mobility applications such as e-bikes and tricycles.