DC MOTOR SPEED CONTROLLER USING
PWM
PROJECT REPORT
Submitted to
Visvesvaraya Technological University
BELAGAVI - 590 018
By
Jeevan R 4SU24EC030
Mayur N 4SU24EC041
Mutturaj M 4SU24EC045
Under the guidance of
Dr. Arpitha G A
Assistant Professor
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Bachelor of Engineering
Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering
SDM INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
UJIRE - 574 240
2025 - 2026
Table of Contents
Page No.
Table of Contents 1
List of Figures 2
List of Tables 3
Chapter 1 Introduction 4
1.1 Background . 5
1.2 Importance and applications. 6
1.3 Problem statement. 7
Chapter 2 Circuit Design (LTspice Simulation) 8
2.1 Circuit diagram. 9
2.2 Simulation setup and parameters. 10
2.3 Simulation results. 11
Chapter 3 Hardware Implementation 12
3.1 Circuit diagram for hardware. 13
3.2 Components list 14
3.3 Hardware implementation. 15
3.4 Photographs of the hardware setup. 16
Chapter 4 Results and Discussion
4.1 Compare LTspice simulation results with hardware results.
Chapter 5 Conclusion
5.1 Summary.
References
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List of Figures
Figure No Description Page No.
Figure 2.1 DC motor speed controller using PWM 12
Figure 2.2 Simulated waveform of the DC motor speed 21
controller using PWM
Figure 3.1 Schematic representation of DC motor speed 28
controller using PWM
Figure 3.2 Hardware setup of the DC motor speed controller 29
using PWM
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List of Tables
Table No. Description Page No.
Table 3.2 Components list with Rating
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Chapter 1
Introduction
1.1 Background
DC motors are widely used in industrial, commercial, and domestic applications because of
their simple construction, high starting torque, and easy speed control. The speed of a DC
motor was controlled by varying the supply voltage using resistors or linear regulators.
However, these methods lead to high power loss, poor efficiency, and excessive heating.
To overcome these drawbacks, Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) is used for motor speed
control. PWM is a technique in which the motor is supplied with a series of ON and OFF
pulses instead of a continuous analog voltage. By varying the duty cycle (the ratio of ON
time to total time), the average voltage applied to the motor is controlled, which in turn
controls the motor speed efficiently. This project demonstrates an efficient, reliable, and low-
power method of DC motor speed control using PWM.
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1.2 Importance and applications
Importance:
Provides high efficiency compared to resistive speed control methods
Reduces power loss and heating
Allows smooth and precise speed control
Suitable for low-power and high-power motor applications
Compatible with electronic controllers such as 555 timers, microcontrollers, or PWM
ICs.
Applications:
Electric vehicles and e-bikes
Industrial conveyor belts
Robotics and automation systems
Fans, pumps, and cooling systems
CNC machines and motor drives
Speed control in toys and small appliances
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1.3 Problem statement.
Conventional DC motor speed control techniques suffer from poor efficiency, limited control
range, and energy wastage. In modern applications, there is a growing demand for energy-
efficient motor control systems that provide accurate speed regulation without increasing
power consumption.
The motivation behind this project is to design and implement a PWM-based DC motor speed
controller that:
Minimizes power loss
Improves efficiency
Offers flexible and precise speed control
Uses simple and cost-effective electronic components
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Chapter 2
Circuit Design (LTspice Simulation)
2.1 Circuit diagram with proper labelling
Figure 2.1 DC motor speed controller using PWM
The circuit uses a 555 timer IC configured in astable mode to generate a PWM signal. The
duty cycle of the output waveform is varied using a potentiometer. This PWM signal is
applied to the IRFZ44N MOSFET, which acts as a power switch to control the motor.
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2.2 Simulation setup and parameters
Working Principle:
The speed of the DC motor depends on the average voltage applied to it. By varying the duty
cycle of the PWM signal generated by the 555 timer, the average voltage across the motor
changes, thereby controlling its speed. A MOSFET is used to handle the high current
required by the motor. The drain current of the MOSFET is selected to be greater than the
maximum current rating of the DC motor to ensure safe operation.
Simulation setup:
The circuit was simulated using LTspice to validate the PWM-based DC motor speed control
operation. The NE555 timer was configured in astable mode with diode steering to vary the
duty cycle independently of frequency.
Analysis Type: Transient analysis
Parameters:
DC Supply Voltage (V1): 9 V
Timer IC: NE555
Resistor (R1): 1 kΩ
Potentiometer (POT): 100 kΩ
Diodes (D1, D2): 1N4007
Capacitor (C1,C2): 1000uF,100nF
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2.3 Simulation results:
Figure 2.2 Simulated waveform of the DC motor speed controller
using PWM
The above waveform represents the simulation result of the PWM-based DC motor speed
control circuit. Two quantities are observed: the output voltage waveform and the current
through the switching device.
PWM Output Voltage (V (n001))
The voltage waveform shown is a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal with constant
amplitude of approximately 9 V. The waveform alternates between ON (high) and OFF (low)
states. During the ON period, the full supply voltage is applied to the motor. During the OFF
period, the voltage drops close to zero. The duty cycle (ratio of ON time to total time period)
determines the average.
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voltage applied to the motor. By varying the duty cycle, the motor speed can be controlled
smoothly without changing the supply voltage.
Switching Current (Ix (U3:2))
The current waveform corresponds to the drain current of the MOSFET used as a switching
device. When the PWM signal is HIGH, the switching device turns ON and current flows
through the motor, reaching a peak of about 200 mA. When the PWM signal is LOW, the
device turns OFF and the current reduces to nearly zero. This confirms that the switching
device operates in saturation (ON) and cut-off (OFF) regions, which improves efficiency and
reduces power loss.
Chapter 3
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Hardware Implementation
3.1 Circuit diagram for hardware
Figure 3.1 Schematic representation of DC motor speed controller
using PWM
3.2 Components list:
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SL No. Components Ratings
01. DC Supply Voltage 9v
02. Timer IC NE555
03. Resistor 1 kΩ
04. Potentiometer 100 kΩ
05. Diodes 1N4007
06. Capacitor 1000uF
07. Capacitor 100nf
08. MOSFET IRFZ44N
09. Flyback Diode 1N4007
Table 3.2: Components list with Rating
3.3 Hardware implementation
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1. Initially, all the required components were collected and verified as per the circuit diagram.
2. A DC power supply was connected to the breadboard, ensuring correct polarity for proper
operation of the circuit.
3. The IC 555 timer was placed on the breadboard and configured in astable mode to generate
PWM signals.
4. The timing resistors, capacitor, and potentiometer were connected to the 555 timer to
control the frequency and duty cycle of the PWM signal.
5. The PWM output from pin 3 of the 555 timer was connected to the gate of the IRFZ44N
MOSFET through a current-limiting resistor.
6. The DC motor was connected at the drain terminal of the MOSFET, while the source
terminal was connected to ground, allowing the MOSFET to act as a switching device.
7. A flyback diode was connected across the motor terminals to protect the MOSFET from
reverse voltage spikes.
8. A filtering capacitor was connected across the supply lines to reduce noise and ensure
stable operation.
9. All connections were checked carefully to avoid short circuits and loose connections.
10. After powering ON the circuit, the potentiometer was adjusted, and a smooth variation in
motor speed was observed.
3.4 Photographs of the hardware setup
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Figure 3.2 Hardware setup of the DC motor speed controller
using PWM
Chapter 4
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Results and Discussion
4.1 Compare LTspice simulation results with hardware results
Simulation:
The LTspice simulation shows a clean and stable PWM output from the 555 timer. Changing
the potentiometer smoothly varies the duty cycle, resulting in ideal and linear motor speed
control.
Hardware:
In the practical circuit, the PWM signal is generated correctly and the motor speed changes
with potentiometer adjustment. Minor fluctuations occur due to component tolerances, wiring
losses, and battery voltage drop.
Overall:
The hardware behaviour closely matches the LTspice simulation. Small differences are due to
real-world non-ideal effects, confirming that the simulation accurately represents the actual
circuit operation.
Chapter 5
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Conclusion
5.1 Summary
In this project, a DC motor speed control circuit using PWM was designed and tested. A 555
timer IC was used to generate a PWM signal, and the duty cycle was varied using a
potentiometer.
The circuit was first simulated in LTspice to observe the PWM waveform and motor control
operation. After simulation, the same circuit was implemented on a breadboard using basic
electronic components.
By adjusting the potentiometer, the motor speed changed smoothly, confirming proper PWM
operation. The hardware results were similar to the simulation, with small differences due to
real components and power supply variations.
References
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1. M. H. Rashid, Power Electronics: Circuits, Devices and Applications, 4th ed. New
Delhi, India: Pearson Education, 2014.
2. R. L. Boylestad and L. Nashelsky, Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory, 11th ed.
New Delhi, India: Pearson Education, 2013.
3. Texas Instruments, “NE555 Precision Timer Datasheet,” TI Semiconductor, 2021.
4. Vishay Siliconix, “IRFZ44N Power MOSFET Datasheet,” Vishay Intertechnology,
2020.
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