Infinite time horizon optimal current control of a stepper motor exploiting a finite element model

An optimal control theory based method is presented aiming at minimizing the energy delivered from source and the power loss in a stepper motor circuit. A linear quadratic current regulator with an infinite time horizon is employed and its appropriateness for this type of a problem explained. With the purpose of improving the accuracy of the control system, the self and mutual inductances of windings are calculated using a finite element model. The numerically computed results are verified experimentally.