varri,
The difference between U/f and vector control is that the U/f simply outputs a frequency and a voltage. The voltage is frequency-dependent in a prescribed manner. Usually U is proportional to frequency i.e. U/f is a constant. The normal European voltage and frequency (400 V at 50 Hz) makes this constant equal to 400/50 = 8.0 V/Hz. There are also so-called "fan curves" where U increases with f squared. This is to avoid overmagnetization at lower frequencies, which would be a waste of current because the fan doesn't need much torque at lower speeds and thus less magnetic field.
U/f inverters need a little more than proportional voltage at lower frequencies (because resistive components in the windings get more dominant at low frequencies). So "boost" is introduced. Boost means that the voltage doesn't go to zero as frequency does. You will usually have between 2 and 5 percent voltage at zero Hz and then increasing linearly from there.
A U/f inverter has poor characteristics at lower frequencies. Do not expect to have full torque available below about 10 percent of base speed.
The vector drive is much better in this respect. There is no fixed relationship between frequency and voltage - it depends on load. It is not uncommon to find motors running at close to half rated voltage when lightly loaded.
The reason for this is that magnetizing current (vector Id) is controlled by one loop and the torque producing current (vector Iq) by another loop, the torque loop.
The two vectors are 90 degrees apart (magnetizing current, Id, lags active current, Iq, by 90 degrees) and the resulting current (vector addition, Phytagoras) is the current you actually measure with a current clamp (with HF filter because of PWM interference).
What makes a vector drive superior is that it controls torque in a very straightforward manner. And since good torque control is a prerequisite for good speed control - you also get a fast and crisp speed control. Which is not possible with a U/f inverter.
Professors W. Leonhard and P. Vas have both written good books on these subjects. I think that I prefer Leonhard over Vas. Both have, by the way, been involved with the NFO algorithm (Natural Field Orientation, which is an efficient algorithm that has proven very useful around zero Hz)
I think that I leave the VSI/CSI discussion for a later occasion - or someone else...
Gunnar Englund