Enhanced Power Quality in PMBLDC Motor Drives Using Bridgeless Buck–Boost PFC Converters with Intelligent Controller

Abstract

This study presents a comparative analysis of various controllers employed in power factor correction (PFC) converters used for Permanent Magnet Brushless DC (PMBLDC) motor drives. A Bridgeless Buck–Boost converter-based BLDC drive is extensively examined with respect to power factor correction capability and Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), using both Proportional–Integral (PI) and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) controllers. The outcomes of this investigation serve as a guide for selecting the most suitable converter topology for PMBLDC drives, based on performance indices such as input power factor, harmonic distortion, power density, system size, and cost. Simulation studies are conducted to illustrate the performance differences among the controllers in terms of power quality parameters, particularly input power factor and THD. In addition, this work outlines a simplified closed-loop speed-control strategy for PMBLDC motors. The speed regulation characteristics of the PFC-fed PMBLDC drive are evaluated under varying load torques using PI and ANFIS controllers. MATLAB/Simulink is employed to provide a reliable and flexible platform for modelling, analysis, and performance validation. The proposed control method effectively suppresses torque oscillations and demonstrates high accuracy and robustness. A bridgeless PFC buck–boost rectifier is proposed to mitigate harmonic currents in the BLDC motor drive and to enhance the overall input power factor. In comparison with conventional bridged PFC rectifiers, the bridgeless topology significantly reduces conduction losses associated with the input diode bridge of the typical Voltage Source Inverter (VSI)-fed BLDC motor drive. The use of a bridgeless boost configuration consequently leads to improved conversion efficiency. Simulation results further confirm the improvement in input power factor and reduction in harmonic content achieved by the bridgeless PFC buck–boost converter. This work presents the digital simulation and performance evaluation of a PFC buck–boost converter supplying a VSI-fed PMBLDC motor drive, in which the VSI functions as an electronic commutator. The findings highlight the effectiveness and practicality of using bridgeless PFC topologies and advanced control strategies such as ANFIS for enhancing the dynamic and steady-state performance of PMBLDC drive systems.