Speed Control of BLDC Motor Using Arduino UNO

Abstract

The project titled “Speed Control of BLDC Motor Using Arduino and Potentiometer” focuses on developing a simple, low-cost, and efficient method for controlling the speed of a Brushless DC (BLDC) motor. BLDC motors are preferred in modern applications due to their high efficiency, smooth operation, and long lifespan. However, they require an electronic controller for proper commutation and speed regulation. In this project, an Arduino microcontroller is used to generate a PWM (Pulse Width Modulated) signal, which acts as a control input for an Electronic Speed Controller (ESC). A potentiometer serves as the manual input device, allowing the user to vary the motor speed by adjusting its analog voltage. The Arduino reads this voltage, converts it to a corresponding PWM value, and sends it to the ESC, which drives the BLDC motor at the desired speed. The system offers smooth speed variation, quick response, and stable performance. It is highly suitable for applications such as robotics, drones, automation systems, and laboratory experiments. This project demonstrates a practical, reliable, and user-friendly approach to BLDC motor control using basic electronic components.

Introduction

The text describes the design and implementation of a BLDC (Brushless DC) motor speed control system using Arduino Uno, highlighting its importance in modern automation, robotics, and electronic applications. BLDC motors are preferred over brushed DC motors due to their high efficiency, low maintenance, low noise, and longer lifespan, as they use electronic commutation instead of mechanical brushes.

The system uses an Arduino Uno as the main controller, which reads input from a potentiometer and generates a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal to control motor speed through an Electronic Speed Controller (ESC). The ESC converts DC power into a three-phase supply required to drive the BLDC motor and regulates its speed accordingly.

To improve functionality, the system integrates a 16×2 LCD display (with I2C module) for real-time monitoring of motor speed and status, and an HC-05 Bluetooth module for wireless communication and remote monitoring via a smartphone.

The literature review explains that BLDC motor control has evolved from simple microcontroller-based systems to more advanced solutions using PWM control, LCD monitoring, Bluetooth communication, and IoT integration. Arduino is widely used due to its simplicity and flexibility.

The project hardware includes:

• Arduino Uno (controller generating PWM signals)
• BLDC motor (converts electrical energy into rotation)
• ESC (controls motor using PWM input)
• Potentiometer (manual speed control input)
• Battery (3S LiPo/12V supply) (power source)
• HC-05 Bluetooth module (wireless control and monitoring)
• 16×2 LCD with I2C (real-time display)
• Connecting wires (interconnections)

Conclusion

The project successfully demonstrates the speed control of a BLDC motor using Arduino UNO. Both potentiometer and Bluetooth-based control methods are implemented effectively. The use of an ESC ensures smooth motor operation, while the LCD provides real-time feedback. Overall, the system is cost-effective, efficient, and user-friendly, and suitable for practical applications.

References

[1] www.electronicshub.org [2] www.engineersgarage.com [3] Arduino.cc documentation [4] IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics

Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Sanket Arun Bilari , Pranali Dhammapal Dhawale, Ketki Krushna Mohakar, Gayatri Nandu Netankar, Prof. V. P. Dhote. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.