Tutorial: Co-Simulating an SPM Motor with Flux 2D

Create an Activate model that supplies a three-phase bridge current into a Flux 2D model of a Surface Mounted Permanent Magnet (SPM) motor, and co-simulate the models.

The co-simulation process includes four basic steps:

  1. Create a Flux model. For this tutorial, a Flux model of an SPM motor is provided for you.
  2. Generate the Flux coupling component required for Activate to read in the Flux model data.
  3. Create an Activate model and include the Flux block for reading in the Flux coupling component.
  4. Co-simulate the models in Activate.

Files for This Tutorial

SPM_Activate_Regulation.F2STA (the coupling file exported from Flux), SPM_Activate_RegulationF2STA.FLU (the Flux model file), SPM_Regulation_No_load.scm (the Activate model file)

A finished version of the models you build in the tutorials along with any files required to complete the tutorials are available at this location: <installation_directory>/tutorial_models/Flux_SPM.
Important: The co-simulation process requires that the FLUX .FLU and .F2STA files be located in the same working directory. When naming the working directory, avoid spaces and special characters as Flux cannot recognize them.

Overview of the Flux SPM Motor

The Flux model is a brushless, AC, Surface Mounted Permanent Magnet motor applicable for electric vehicles.

The SPM motor is comprised of three main components:
  • Fixed part (stator) including yoke, slots, and windings
  • Air gap
  • Moveable rotor with embedded magnets

The SPM motor is driven with a three-phase bridge current (the freewheeling diodes are neglected). The constant speed operation of the motor at 1000 rpm with inverter driver is simulated to yield motor torque, speed, position and phase current. The inverter switching scheme is rotor-position dependant.

The inputs for the SPM motor are defined as multi-physical parameters and include:

  • I1: Physical quantities: μr, Bs, Br
  • I2: Electrical quantities: resistance, voltage, current
  • I3: Mechanical quantities: position, speed, resistant force, resistive torque

The outputs for the SPM motor are scalar I/O settings that retrieve values through the sensors, formulas (forces and couples) and parameters (position, speed, acceleration).

The electrical circuit of the SPM motor is configured with a voltage source, coil conductor, resistor, inductance, solid conductor and switch.
Note: Included in the switches are the input parameters R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6. The strategy is that each phase has to be "ON" for one third of the period. For this model, the mechanical period is 180 degrees because the model is a two-pair pole electrical machine.
Figure 1. Electrical Circuit of the SPM Motor

Generating the Coupling Component in Flux

Load the Flux model and generate the coupling component with the required inputs, outputs and parameters.

  1. Launch Flux, and from your working directory, open the project, SPM_Activate_Regulation.F2STA.
    The model loads and looks something like this:
    Figure 2. Cross-Section View of SPM Motor
  2. From the Flux 2D toolbar, select Solving > Generate component for Activate coupling.
  3. In the dialog, enter the following information for the component:
    • Enter the name for the component: SPM_Activate_Regulation.
    • Enter the path to your working directory: <name_without_spaces>.
    • Select the input (geometric I/O parameters) for the component: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6.
    • Select the output: PHASE_CURRENT_1, PHASE_CURRENT_2, PHASE_CURRENT_3, POSITION, SPEED and TORQUE.

    The dialog should look something like this:

  4. Click OK.
    The coupling component is saved to your working directory as SPM_Activate_Regulation.F2STA.

Creating the Activate Model

Create a model to feed a three-phase bridge circuit.

  1. From Activate, create a new model and save it to your working directory as SPM_Regulation_No_load.scm
    Alternatively, load the model: <installation_directory>/tutorial_models/Flux_SPM/SPM_Regulation_No_load.scm and skip this section of the tutorial.
  2. From the Palette Browser, select Activate > CoSimulation, and drag and drop one Flux block into your diagram.
  3. Double-click the Flux block, and in the block dialog, for Flux to Activate input filename, enter the path to the coupling component you generated from Flux: <working_directory>/SPM_Activate_Regulation.F2STA.
  4. Click OK.
    The Flux block populates with the model data from the Flux coupling component.
  5. On the Flux block dialog, do the following:
    • For Numerical memory (MB), enter 2154.
    • For Character memory, enter 200.
    • For Minimal input variation %, enter 0.
    • Select the options: Flux console display and Break algebraic loop.
  6. Click OK.
    The Flux block dialog should look something like this:
  7. In the diagram, to the left of the Flux block, create a super block for Position regulation:
    Table 1. Blocks Required for Position Super Block
    Add these blocks to the super block Enter parameter values or keep default values as indicated
    1 Constant block Default
    1 Modulo block Function = Remainder
    1 Input block
    Note: The Input block (Rotor position) feeds into the Modulo block.
    		Outport size = [-1;-2]
    1 LastInput block Default
    2 Sum blocks Default
    8 LookupTable blocks
    • For all 8 LookupTable blocks:

      Y = [1,1]

      Interpolation method = ZeroOrder (ceiling)

      Output datatype = "double"

    • For the X vector, enter:

      block 1, X = [15,75]

      block 2, X = [45,105]

      block 3, X = [75,135]

      block 4, X = [105,165]

      block 5, X = [0,15]

      block 6, X = [135,180]

      block 7, X = [0,45]

      block 8, X = [165,180]
    2 Sum blocks Default
    6 Output blocks
    Note: The Output blocks correspond to the 6 input ports "R1" through "R6" of the Flux block in the main diagram.
    		 Default
    Scope Default
    Assemble the blocks in the super block like this:


    Figure 3. Position Super Block
  8. In the diagram, add three Scope blocks to the right of the Flux block. The Scope blocks plot the following results: current (A) in each phase, position and speed, and torque.
    Define Scope 1 Scope 2 Scope 3
    Block name 2_1_2 2_1_2_1 2_1_2_1_1
    Number of inputs 3 2 1
  9. Assemble and connect the Flux co-simulation block, super block and scope blocks as you see in the following figure, and save the model.
    Figure 4. Flux Block Assembled with Inputs and Outputs

    The Activate model is now complete and configured to supply the Flux model of the SPM motor with a three-phase bridge circuit. The Activate model is also configured to calculate the phase current, position, speed and torque.

Co-Simulating the Activate and Flux Models

During co-simulation, the Activate model supplies a three-phase bridge current into the Flux model of the SPM motor. The simulation results show the performance of the SPM motor including position, speed and torque.

  1. On the ribbon, select Setup.


  2. On the dialog that appears, select the Simulation Time tab.
  3. For Final Time, enter .01499, which is the signal period. Keep the defaults for the remaining fields.
  4. Select the Solvers tab, enter the following values, and click OK:
  5. On the ribbon, select Run.


    The simulation results show the currents fed into the motor and the motor performance.
    Table 2. No Load Test with Constant Speed (N=1000 rpm)
    Property Value Unit
    Moment of inertia 0 Kg.m2
    Constant friction coefficient 0 N.m
    Viscous friction coefficient 0 N.m s/deg
    Friction coefficient proportional to the square speed 0  
    Speed 1000 Tr/min
    Position at time 0 0 Deg
    Figure 5. Current (A) in Each Phase
    Figure 6. Position (deg/s) and Speed (rpm)
    Figure 7. Torque (N.m)