FUZZY-LOGIC-BASED SPEED CONTROL OF A SHUNT DC MOTOR

The fundamental equations governing the operation of a de motor are st raightforward and are well presented in most undergraduate curricula, usually in a required energy-conversion or electrical-machinery class at the junior level. The physical implications of the equations regard ing device behavior, and the need for speed control, are easily unders tood. Furthermore, students can readily develop a mental picture of th e physical motor and its response. Speed control of a de motor represe nts an ideal application for introducing the concepts of fuzzy logic. Once the fundamentals of fuzzy logic have been presented to the studen ts, their application to the speed-control problem can be easily demon strated. The paper shows how a commercially available fuzzy logic deve lopment kit can be applied to the theoretical development of a fuzzy c ontroller for motor speed, which represents a very practical class of engineering problems.