Decoupled Online Feedforward Generation of Optimal References for Saturated Synchronous Machine Drives

This paper presents a modular method for generating reference signals online for saturable synchronous machine drives. The method dynamically generates optimal references without precomputed lookup tables, following the maximum-torque-per-ampere (MTPA) trajectory while respecting maximum-torque-per-volt (MTPV), current, and voltage limits. The proposed tracking laws are formulated to yield exact, decoupled first-order error dynamics, ensuring predictable tracking responses and simplifying system tuning. The algorithm requires only the forward flux map, thereby eliminating the need for current-map inversion. By operating in a feedforward manner, the method ensures noise-free reference signals and structural separation from the feedback control. Both simulation and experimental results are presented, demonstrating that the proposed method achieves dynamic and steady-state performance on par with conventional lookup-table-based approaches, while avoiding the need for precomputed reference tables.