Mechanical Engineering for Society and Industry

Articles

Design and simulation of BLDC motor control using MATLAB simulink: A detailed approach

Dwi Sudarno Putra , Wawan Purwanto , Risfendra Risfendra , Joel O. Abratiguin , Agus Baharudin , Thorikul Huda

Abstract

Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motors are increasingly utilized across various applications due to their high efficiency and reliability. However, their control requires precise handling, especially during the commutation process. This study presents a detailed simulation design for BLDC motor control using MATLAB Simulink, focusing on the Six-Step Commutation method and PID-based speed regulation. The methodology involves constructing an open-loop model to analyze commutation behavior, followed by a closed-loop system using PID controllers with automatic parameter tuning. The simulation demonstrates accurate replication of hall sensor signals, back-EMF waveforms, switching patterns, and motor responses. Results reveal that the PID controller effectively maintains target speed across varying reference inputs and load conditions, while phase current and electromagnetic torque increase proportionally with speed and load. Results confirm correct switching in open loop and show that, in closed loop, the controller maintains speed within ±2% of the target with brief, well-damped transients. Phase current and torque responses scale with speed and load, informing practical refinements (anti-windup, ripple mitigation, soft-commutation timing). The findings certify that simulation is a vital step to ensure functional logic and hardware readiness, minimizing risks and enhancing system performance prior to physical implementation.

Keywords

BLDC motor; Six-step commutation; PID control; MATLAB simulink; Speed control simulation

References

  1. [1] S. Madichetty, S. Mishra, and M. Basu, “New trends in electric motors and selection for electric vehicle propulsion systems,” IET Electrical Systems in Transportation, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 186–199, Sep. 2021, doi: 10.1049/els2.12018.
  2. [2] H. M. Yudha, Buku Ajar Penggunaan Motor Listrik. Pantera Publishing, 2020.
  3. [3] M. Hypiusova, M. Minar, and D. Rosinova, “Basic Control Course with DC motor,” in 2022 Cybernetics & Informatics (K&I), IEEE, Sep. 2022, pp. 1–6. doi: 10.1109/KI55792.2022.9925978.
  4. [4] Padmaraja Yedamale, “AN 885: Brushless DC (BLDC) Motor Fundamentals,” 2003.
  5. [5] A. Patil, “lectric Motor for Household Appliances Market Research Report by 2032,” 2023. [Online]. Available: https://straitsresearch.com/report/electric-motor-for-household-appliances-market
  6. [6] S.-C. Chen and D. S. Putra, “Machine Learning Implementation on BLDCM Commutation,” in 2020 IEEE 2nd Eurasia Conference on Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare and Sustainability (ECBIOS), IEEE, May 2020, pp. 154–157. doi: 10.1109/ECBIOS50299.2020.9203652.
  7. [7] R. S. Keote, P. S. Shete, G. Bhadade, K. Satone, P. Kalamkar, and M. Patil, “Analysis of Brushless DC Motor in Electric Vehicle,” in 2021 IEEE International Conference on Mobile Networks and Wireless Communications (ICMNWC), IEEE, Dec. 2021, pp. 1–6. doi: 10.1109/ICMNWC52512.2021.9688505.
  8. [8] H.-K. Hoai, S.-C. Chen, and H. Than, “Realization of the Sensorless Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Drive Control System with an Intelligent Controller,” Electronics, vol. 9, no. 2, p. 365, Feb. 2020, doi: 10.3390/electronics9020365.
  9. [9] Y.-S. Kung, R. Risfendra, Y.-D. Lin, and L.-C. Huang, “FPGA-realization of a sensorless speed controller for PMSM drives using novel sliding mode observer,” Microsystem Technologies, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 79–93, Jan. 2018, doi: 10.1007/s00542-016-3179-6.
  10. [10] D. S. Putra, S.-C. Chen, H.-H. Khong, and F. Cheng, “Design and Implementation of a Machine-Learning Observer for Sensorless PMSM Drive Control,” Applied Sciences, vol. 12, no. 6, p. 2963, Mar. 2022, doi: 10.3390/app12062963.
  11. [11] E. Firmansyah, F. D. Wijaya, W. P. R. Aditya, and R. Wicaksono, “Six-step commutation with round robin state machine to alleviate error in hall-effect-sensor reading for BLDC motor control,” in 2014 International Conference on Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (ICEECS), IEEE, Nov. 2014, pp. 251–253. doi: 10.1109/ICEECS.2014.7045256.
  12. [12] A. A. Muntashir, E. Purwanto, B. Sumantri, H. H. FAkhruddin, and R. A. N. Apriyanto, “Static and Dynamic Performance of Vector Control on Induction Motor with PID Controller: An Investigation on LabVIEW,” Automotive Experiences, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 83–96, May 2021, doi: 10.31603/ae.4812.
  13. [13] M. R. A.- Elwahab, A. O. Moaaz, W. F. Faris, N. M. Ghazaly, and M. M. Makrahy, “Evaluation the New Hydro-Pneumatic Damper for Passenger Car using LQR, PID and H-infinity Control Strategies,” Automotive Experiences, vol. 7, no. 2, 2024, doi: 10.31603/ae.10796.
  14. [14] M. H. A. As-Salaf and S. Syahrial, “Simulasi Pengaturan Kecepatan Motor BLDC menggunakan Software PSIM,” MIND Journal, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 103–117, Aug. 2021, doi: 10.26760/mindjournal.v6i1.103-117.
  15. [15] A. S. Priambodo, O. A. Dhewa, A. Nasuha, F. Arifin, A. Winursito, and Muslikhin, “Marker-Based autonomous quadrotor tracking for ground mobile robots,” in AIP Conference Proceedings, 2025, p. 030003. doi: 10.1063/5.0261170.
  16. [16] P. Angraeni, M. N. Rizal, H. Khoirunnisa, and T. Kristian, “Experimental of Quadcopter Trajectory Tracking Control Based ROS,” MOTIVECTION : Journal of Mechanical, Electrical and Industrial Engineering, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 295–302, Apr. 2023, doi: 10.46574/motivection.v5i2.232.
  17. [17] M. A. Shamseldin, M. Araby, and S. El-khatib, “A Low-Cost High Performance Electric Vehicle Design Based on Variable Structure Fuzzy PID Control,” Journal of Robotics and Control (JRC), vol. 5, no. 6, pp. 1713–1721, 2024, doi: 10.18196/jrc.v5i6.22071.
  18. [18] A. Asnil, R. Nazir, K. Krismadinata, and M. Nasir, “Improved MPPT Performance of VSS-Based Incremental Conductance with Auxiliary PID Correction for Photovoltaic Power Optimization,” Mathematical Modelling of Engineering Problems, vol. 12, no. 7, pp. 2417–2426, Jul. 2025, doi: 10.18280/mmep.120720.
  19. [19] J. Masri and M. Ismail, “Optimised Flywheel-Assisted Regenerative Braking for Enhanced Energy Recovery and Voltage Stability in Electric Vehicles,” Automotive Experiences, vol. 8, no. 2, 2025, doi: 10.31603/ae.13323.
  20. [20] I. Anshory et al., “Optimization DC-DC boost converter of BLDC motor drive by solar panel using PID and firefly algorithm,” Results in Engineering, vol. 21, p. 101727, Mar. 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.rineng.2023.101727.
  21. [21] P. Sanaie and M. Mollajafari, “Designing a disturbance estimator for electric power steering robust controller,” Mechanical Engineering for Society and Industry, vol. 4, no. 2, 2024, doi: 10.31603/mesi.12650.
  22. [22] J. E. Dakurah, H. Solmaz, and T. Kocakulak, “Modeling of a PEM Fuel Cell Electric Bus with MATLAB/Simulink,” Automotive Experiences, vol. 7, no. 2, 2024, doi: 10.31603/ae.11471.