Accelerate Innovation in Motor Control
Purpose
The EduLab Explorer Kit is an all-in-one hardware-and-software solution for hands-on teaching of PMSM (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor) control principles in undergraduate or graduate labs. No extra installations are required beyond MATLAB/Simulink and a USB-connected testbench, allowing immediate live demonstrations with an intuitive GUI—no coding required.
It also includes a ready-to-use Simulink model for software-based simulations, letting students validate control algorithms before deploying on real hardware.
Key Features
- Demonstrate PMSM principles in a lab setting
- Enhance teaching with real-world demonstrations
- Easy-to-use simulation tool with no extra installation
- Immediate live demonstrations without coding
Core Components
- Dual low-voltage PMSM modules in a portable form factor
- Basic inverter drive with open-loop and closed-loop modes
- Transparent motor casing for mechanical visibility
- Real-time data acquisition via FreeMASTER
- Instructor station with guided experiment software
- Emergency stop and safety interlocks
Lab Setup & Workflow
- Unpack & Connect: Mount PMSM on its stand, connect inverter to DC supply (8–18V), hook sensor lines to ECU via USB.
- Launch EduLab Model: Open
EduLab_Explorer.slxin Simulink; select “Hardware” variant. - Initialize FreeMaster: Run provided script to start FreeMaster; auto-detect ECU and load parameter set.
- Run Live Demo: Adjust SpeedCmd slider; switch between Open-Loop and Closed-Loop modes.
- Data Logging & Analysis: Capture time-stamped logs of speed, torque, and currents to MATLAB.
Experiments: Beginner → Advanced
- Experiment 1: Open-Loop Testing – Characterize PMSM behavior without feedback; log speed, torque, and current vs voltage.
- Experiment 2: Closed-Loop Testing – Compare PI speed-control vs open-loop; step changes, load disturbances, voltage variation.
- Experiment 3: Control Tuning & Strategy Comparison
- Experiment 4: Four-Quadrant Operation
- Experiment 5: High-Speed Field Weakening
- Experiment 6: Automated Motor Drive Testing
- Experiment 7: Efficiency Mapping & MTPA
Learning Outcomes
- Fundamental PMSM behavior under open-loop conditions
- Closed-loop PI control understanding
- Controller tuning & performance evaluation
- Four-quadrant operation & power flow analysis
- Field-weakening techniques
- Automation & scripting with MATLAB/FreeMaster
- Efficiency mapping & MTPA optimization
Comparison: EduLab vs DevLab vs ProVerif
| Feature / Capability | 🧑🔬 EduLab | 🔬 DevLab | 🏭 ProVerif |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dual Low-Voltage PMSM Modules | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| High-Performance Tunable PMSM | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Full Industry-Grade PMSM Drive Stack | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Access to Internal Simulink Model | ❌ | 70-80% ✅ | 100% ✅ |
| Automatic Code Generation Support | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Test Automation Scripts | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Support | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Real-Time Data Acquisition (FreeMASTER) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Advanced Diagnostics & Fault Logging | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| EV Functionality (Regen Braking, Torque Vectoring) | ✅ (basic) | ✅ (adv) | ✅ (full) |
| Portable Form-Factor | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Instructor-Led Guided Software | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Simulink Co-Simulation / HIL Integration | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Production-Ready CI/CD Pipeline | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Emergency Stop & Safety Interlocks | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |