IEEE_SLED2025_Final_Conference_Program.pdf

Ralph Kennel (Technical University of Munich, Germany)

Title: Encoderless Control of AC Drives - Concepts and Realistic Expectations

Abstract: The most recent progress in this area is the encoderless control without signal injection – in fact any HF excitation, which originates from any switching power electronics anyway, can be used to evaluate the position of the anisotropy. A rather novel method is to use predictive schemes within encoderless control of AC drives. The main advantages of encoderless control without injecting an additional HF signal are:

•no need for additional voltages to inject additional signals – this method can be applied in the complete speed/voltage range of the drive

•identical reliability and robustness as with signal injection

Ralph Kennel (Senior Member, IEEE) received the Diploma and the Dr.-Ing. (Ph.D.) degrees from the University of Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany, in 1979 and 1984, respectively, and the Doctoral degree honoris causa from Universitatea Stefan cel Mare, Suceava, Romania, in 2018.

From 1983 to 1999, he worked on several positions with Robert BOSCH GmbH (Germany). Until 1997, he was responsible for the development of servo drives. He was one of the main supporters of VECON and SERCOS interface, two multicompany development projects for a microcontroller and a digital interface especially dedicated to servo drives. Furthermore, he took actively part in the definition and release of new standards with respect to CE marking for servo drives. Between 1997 and 1999, he was responsible for “Advanced and Product Development of Fractional Horsepower Motors” in automotive applications. His main activity was preparing the introduction of brushless drive concepts to the automotive market. From 1994 to 1999, he was appointed as a Visiting Professor with the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, U.K. From 1999 to 2008, he was a Professor of electrical machines and drives with Wuppertal University, Germany. Since 2008, he has been a Professor of electrical drive systems and power electronics with Technische Universitaet Muenchen, Germany. His main interests include sensorless control of ac drives, predictive control of power electronics, and hardware-in-the-loop systems.

Dr. Kennel is a Fellow of IET (former IEE) and a Chartered Engineer in the U.K. Within IEEE, he is a Treasurer of the Germany Section as well as a Distinguished Lecturer of the Power Electronics Society (IEEE-PELS). He was a recipient of the Harry Owen Distinguished Service Award from IEEE-PELS, in 2013, the EPE Association Distinguished Service Award in 2015 as well as the 2019 EPE Outstanding Achievement Award. He was appointed “Extraordinary Professor” by the University of Stellenbosch (South Africa) from 2016 to 2019 and as “Visiting Professor” with the Haixi Institute by the Chinese Academy of Sciences from 2016 to 2021.

Marko Hinkkanen (Aalto University, Finland)

Title: Unified Sensorless Control Architectures for Electric Machine Drives

Abstract: This presentation introduces a unified framework for sensorless control, applicable to both synchronous and induction machines. It integrates common control strategies (current-vector, flux-vector, and V/Hz control) within a single, adaptable structure. This unification simplifies controller design and tuning across different machine types by allowing the reuse of essential components like state observers and optimal reference generators. We will discuss the theoretical basis, including observer-based stabilization and passivity concepts. The presentation will showcase experimental results demonstrating the framework's effectiveness for various machine types, applicable to both high-performance industrial drives and simpler applications like pumps and fans.

Marko Hinkkanen (Fellow, IEEE) received the M.Sc.(Eng.) and D.Sc.(Tech.) degrees in electrical engineering from the Helsinki University of Technology, Espoo, Finland, in 2000 and 2004, respectively.

He is currently a Full Professor with the School of Electrical Engineering, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland. His research interests include control systems, electric machine drives, and power converters.

Dr. Hinkkanen was the recipient of eight paper awards, including the 2016 International Conference on Electrical Machines (ICEM) Brian J. Chalmers Best Paper Award, and the 2016 and 2018 IEEE Industry Applications Society Industrial Drives Committee Best Paper Awards. He was the co-recipient of the 2020 SEMIKRON Innovation Award. He was the General Co-Chair of the 2018 IEEE 9th International Symposium on Sensorless Control for Electrical Drives (SLED). He is an Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion and IET Electric Power Applications.

Jung-Ik Ha (Seoul National University, Korea)

Title: State-of-the-Art Low-Speed Sensorless Control 

Abstract: Low-speed sensorless control has been studied for over 30 years, enabling numerous motor drive applications without speed or position transducers. Signal injection methods have driven this technology, achieving effective performance at zero or low speeds. However, the growing demand for low-speed sensorless operation presents challenges, particularly with single- or three-shunt inverters, which struggle to inject high-frequency signals during current reconstruction. Additionally, some applications are sensitive to audible noise caused by signal injections. In this talk, we will explore solutions to these issues and examine the role of artificial intelligence in enhancing these applications.

Jung-Ik Ha (Fellow, IEEE) received the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea, in 1995, 1997, and 2001, respectively.

From 2001 to 2002, he was a Researcher with Yaskawa Electric Company, Japan. From 2003 to 2008, he was with the Samsung Electronics Company, South Korea, as a Senior and Principal Engineer. From 2009 to 2010, he was a Chief Technology Officer with LS Mecapion Company, South Korea. Since 2010, he has been with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea, where he is currently a Professor. He is also with Seoul National University Electric Power Institute. From 2016 to 2017, he was a Visiting Scholar with Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA, USA.

He has authored more than 160 papers published in international journals and conference proceedings in the area of power electronics and motor drives. His current research interests include circuits and control in high efficiency and integrated electric energy conversions for various industrial fields.