This paper presents the development of an experimental platform to test a real-time controller for a small Permanent Magnetic Brushless Direct Current (PM BLDC) motor using a Controller Area Network (CAN) communication bus. The CAN communication bus transmits and receives information between modules to control the speed, acceleration/deceleration, and rotational direction of the motor. The design consists of five major hardwares: single chip microcontroller, three module boards, PM BLDC motor, logic-input quad driver, and a power logic level gate driver. Microcontroller software is developed to perform eight major functions: controller initialization, service interrupt generation, switch, display, power converter, CAN communication, pulse width modulation control, and actual motor speed measurement. The motivation of this work is to acquire a better understanding of the PM BLDC motor control and CAN system in a laboratory setting. This work is important because electric drivetrain, accessory electrification, and the CAN communication system are key elements in electric and hybrid electric vehicles.

He is currently the chair of Engineering Technology Division at Wayne State University. Dr. Yeh spent five years working in the defense industry before joining the faculty at WSU. He has actively involved both in teaching and research and has been elected eleven times by students for the Annual Excellence in Teaching Award in WSU.