Journal of Power Electronics, Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 553-563, March 2016 553 http://dx.doi.org/10.6113/JPE.2016.16.2.553 ISSN(Print): 1598-2092 / ISSN(Online): 2093-4718 JPE 16-2-16 Design and Implementation of an FPGA-based Real-time Simulator for a Dual Three-Phase Induction Motor Drive Raúl Gregor † , Guido Valenzano * , Jorge Rodas * , José Rodríguez-Piñeiro ** , and Derlis Gregor *** †, * Laboratory of Power and Control Systems, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Paraguay ** Department of Electronics and Systems, Universidade da Coruña, España *** Laboratory of Distributed Systems, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Paraguay Abstract This paper presents a digital hardware implementation of a real-time simulator for a multiphase drive using a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) device. The simulator was developed with a modular and hierarchical design using very high-speed integrated circuit hardware description language (VHDL). Hence, this simulator is flexible and portable. A state-space representation model suitable for FPGA implementations was proposed for a dual three-phase induction machine (DTPIM). The simulator also models a two-level 12-pulse insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT)-based voltage-source converter (VSC), a pulse-width modulation scheme, and a measurement system. Real-time simulation outputs (stator currents and rotor speed) were validated under steady-state and transient conditions using as reference an experimental test bench based on a DTPIM with 15 kW-rated power. The accuracy of the proposed digital hardware implementation was evaluated according to the simulation and experimental results. Finally, statistical performance parameters were provided to analyze the efficiency of the proposed DTPIM hardware implementation method. Key words: Device simulation, Field-programmable gate array, Multiphase drive, Real-time simulation I. INTRODUCTION Recently, digital hardware implementations of real-time simulators have been widely performed in several research fields. In particular, the design and development of power electronic devices and electrical drives have greatly benefited from the advances associated with real-time simulation techniques [1]–[4]. In electrical drive applications, the controller stage is typically subjected to several cycles of testing and redesigns before prototyping. The testing and redesign processes are conducted using an expensive facility equipped with power converters, electrical motors, sensors, switchgears, and other test equipment. The highly active research area in this field is justified in terms of implementation costs. Real-time simulators can accurately and efficiently model electrical drives and provide an alternate means for testing controller performance in hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) configurations [5]–[8]. This approach substantially reduces costs, human resources, power consumption, and the required physical space while providing immunity to damages in cases of controller malfunction [9]– [11]. Real-time simulators have been proven to be viable for several electrical motors and drives, such as permanent magnet synchronous motors [12], brushless DC motors [13], and three-phase induction motors [14]. In the present work, a novel implementation of a real-time simulator of a dual three-phase induction machine (DTPIM) is developed by employing a discrete version of the mathematical model using a state-space representation. The most suitable option in terms of cost is to implement the simulator using a standard PC. However, this approach does Manuscript received May 9, 2015; accepted Nov. 1, 2015 Recommended for publication by Associate Editor Gaolin Wang. † Corresponding Author: rgregor@ing.una.py Tel: +595-21-646160 -Int: 2224, Universidad Nacional de Asunción * Laboratory of Power and Control Systems, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Paraguay ** Department of Electronics and Systems, Universidade da Coruña, España *** Laboratory of Distributed Systems, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Paraguay © 2016 KIPE