Electronic Speed Control (ESC) Project for KMITL Senior Capstone Design course

Project Objectives

• To study the working principles of an Electronic Speed Controller (ESC), Brushless DC (BLDC), and other components in an electric scooter.
• To design and develop an Electronic Speed Controller (ESC) board and integrate it into an electric scooter prototype.
• To apply fundamentals of electrical engineering, such as power electronics, schematic design, microcontroller programming, and control systems, through the practical development and testing of the prototype.

Scope of Work

• Design and prototype the Electronic Speed Controller (ESC) board for controlling a Brushless DC (BLDC) motor.
• Integrate the ESC prototype into an existing electric scooter for functional testing and demonstration.
• Develop firmware for BLDC motor control, including speed regulation, direction control, and a user interface for operation.
• Test, calibrate, and evaluate the performance of the ESC prototype under different operating conditions.
• Prepare project report and documentation.

An Electronic Speed Controller (ESC) is a device utilized to regulate the speed, direction, and torque of electric motors, particularly Brushless DC (BLDC) motors commonly used in electric scooters, drones, remote-controlled vehicles, and electric bicycles. It operates by receiving input signals from a throttle and converting them into high-frequency Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signals that switch MOSFETs to control the power supplied to the motor. In BLDC motor applications, the ESC also performs motor commutation, ensuring that the motor phases are energized in the correct sequence for smooth and efficient operation. The correct sequence can be known using the back EMF (sensorless) and hall sensors method. ESCs serve a critical function in motor control systems where precise regulation of speed and torque is essential.

Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) Generation

• Electric Vehicles (EVs)
• Electric Scooters and E-Bikes
• Drones and UAVs
• Remote-Controlled (RC) Cars, Boats, and Planes
• Robotics
• Industrial Conveyor Systems
• HVAC Systems
• CNC Machines and 3D Printers
• Other BLDC motor control