Investigation of the micro-step control positioning system performance affected by random input signals

This paper gives the results of simulation and experimental investigation on the effects of random signals on the accuracy of micro-stepping control positioning. For studying and simulation of the effect of random noise signals on performance of the accurate position control systems, such as Hybrid Stepper Motors (HSMs), a micro-step driver and controlling unit using PID controller has been designed and constructed. Several parametric studies have been carried out including different white noise power and micro-step per revolution. Tracking problem for a HSM model has been simulated, and the experimental study for similar cases has been carried out by implementing the designed controller in real-time operation by using Real Time Windows Target Toolbox of Matlab software and Simulink. Simulation and experimental results show that random noise source changes current profile and affects the accuracy of positioning. Performance of the proposed PID controller under the implementation of random noise on phases one and two of stepper motor has been proved to be accurate enough even under disturbance load currents, on the system. Experimental and simulation results show the good performance of designed controller in tracking problem, affected by various random noise powers and motor speeds in different micro-step positions. Moreover there is an excellent agreement between experimental and simulation results. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.