The Essential Role and the Continuous Evolution of Modulation Techniques for Voltage-Source Inverters in the Past, Present, and Future Power Electronics

The cost reduction of power-electronic devices, the increase in their reliability, efficiency, and power capability, and lower development times, together with more demanding application requirements, has driven the development of several new inverter topologies recently introduced in the industry, particularly medium-voltage converters. New more complex inverter topologies and new application fields come along with additional control challenges, such as voltage imbalances, power-quality issues, higher efficiency needs, and fault-tolerant operation, which necessarily requires the parallel development of modulation schemes. Therefore, recently, there have been significant advances in the field of modulation of dc/ac converters, which conceptually has been dominated during the last several decades almost exclusively by classic pulse-width modulation (PWM) methods. This paper aims to concentrate and discuss the latest developments on this exciting technology, to provide insight on where the state-of-the-art stands today, and analyze the trends and challenges driving its future

Model predictive control for a dual active bridge inverter with a floating bridge

This paper presents a Model Predictive Control technique applied to a dual active bridge inverter where one of the bridges is floating. The proposed floating bridge topology eliminates the need for isolation transformer in a dual inverter system and therefore reduces the size, weight and losses in the system. To achieve multilevel output voltage waveforms the floating inverter DC link capacitor is charged to the half of the main DC link voltage. A finite-set Model Predictive Control technique is used to control the load current of the converter as well as the floating capacitor voltage. Model predictive control does not require any switching sequence design or complex switching time calculations as used for SVM, thus the technique has some advantages in this application. A detailed analysis of the converter as well as the predictive control strategy is given in this paper. Simulation and experimental results to validate the approach are also presented

Multilevel Converters: An Enabling Technology for High-Power Applications

| Multilevel converters are considered today as the state-of-the-art power-conversion systems for high-power and power-quality demanding applications. This paper presents a tutorial on this technology, covering the operating principle and the different power circuit topologies, modulation methods, technical issues and industry applications. Special attention is given to established technology already found in industry with more in-depth and self-contained information, while recent advances and state-of-the-art contributions are addressed with useful references. This paper serves as an introduction to the subject for the not-familiarized reader, as well as an update or reference for academics and practicing engineers working in the field of industrial and power electronics.Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología DPI2001-3089Ministerio de Eduación y Ciencia d TEC2006-0386

Improving steady state accuracy in field-weakened six-phase induction machines with integrator and modulated predictive control

Finite-control-set model predictive control techniques are considered an exciting option for high-performance control multiphase drives due to their fast dynamic response, ability to handle multiple targets and constraints, and adaptability to different power converters or machine models. However, these techniques have some drawbacks, such as poor current reduction (x−y) and steady-state error (d−q), especially in the field weakening zone. Although some proposals have addressed these issues by adding modulation stages or designing new cost functions, there is still room for improvement, especially in steady-state error reduction. Therefore, this article proposes to include an integrator attached to a modulated predictive current controller applied to a six-phase induction machine to improve its performance throughout the entire speed range regarding steady-state error mitigation. Experimental tests were carried out to validate the effectiveness of the proposed controller. Tests were carried out evaluating the reduction of the steady-state error (d−q), the current tracking, the (x−y) currents reduction and the total harmonic distortion.Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. PID2022-136908OB-I00Xunta de Galicia | Ref. GPC-ED431B 2023/1

A finite control set model predictive control method for matrix converter with zero common-mode voltage

In this paper a finite control set model predictive control method is presented that eliminates the common-mode voltage at the output of a matrix converter. In the predictive control process only the rotating vectors are selected to generate the output voltage and the input current in order to remove the common mode voltage. In addition, a modified four-step commutation strategy is proposed to eliminate common-mode voltage spikes caused by the conventional four-step commutation strategy based on the current direction. The proposed method reduces the computational complexity greatly compared with the enhanced space vector modulation with rotating vectors. The feasibility and operation of the proposed method are verified using experimental results. The resulting common-mode voltage is near to zero with good quality input and output converter waveforms

Model predictive control: a review of its applications in power electronics

Model-based predictive control (MPC) for power converters and drives is a control technique that has gained attention in the research community. The main reason for this is that although MPC presents high computational burden, it can easily handle multivariable case and system constraints and nonlinearities in a very intuitive way. Taking advantage of that, MPC has been successfully used for different applications such as an active front end (AFE), power converters connected to resistor inductor RL loads, uninterruptible power supplies, and high-performance drives for induction machines, among others. This article provides a review of the application of MPC in the power electronics area

The application of advanced signal processing techniques to the condition monitoring of electrical machine drive systems

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 128-129).The thesis examines the use of two time-frequency domain signal processing tools in its application to condition monitoring of electrical machine drive systems. The mathematical and signal processing tools which are explored are wavelet analysis and a non-stationary adaptive signal processing algorithm. Four specific applications are identified for the research. These applications were specifically chosen to encapsulate important issues in condition monitoring of variable speed drive systems. The main aim of the project is to highlight the need for fault detection during machine transients and to illustrate the effectiveness of incorporating and adapting these new class of algorithms to detect faults in electrical machine drive systems during non-stationary conditions

Advances in Rotating Electric Machines

It is difficult to imagine a modern society without rotating electric machines. Their use has been increasing not only in the traditional fields of application but also in more contemporary fields, including renewable energy conversion systems, electric aircraft, aerospace, electric vehicles, unmanned propulsion systems, robotics, etc. This has contributed to advances in the materials, design methodologies, modeling tools, and manufacturing processes of current electric machines, which are characterized by high compactness, low weight, high power density, high torque density, and high reliability. On the other hand, the growing use of electric machines and drives in more critical applications has pushed forward the research in the area of condition monitoring and fault tolerance, leading to the development of more reliable diagnostic techniques and more fault-tolerant machines. This book presents and disseminates the most recent advances related to the theory, design, modeling, application, control, and condition monitoring of all types of rotating electric machines

Optimal controllers design for voltage control in Off-grid hybrid power system

Generally, for remote places extension of grid is uneconomical and difficult. Off-grid hybrid power systems (OGHPS) has  renewable energy sources integrated with conventional sources. OGHPS is very significant as it is the only source of electric supply for remote areas. OGHPS under study  has Induction generator (IG) for wind power generation, Photo-Voltaic source with inverter, Synchronous generator (SG) for Diesel Engine (DE) and load. Over-rated PV-inverter has capacity to supply reactive power.  SG of  DE  has Automatic voltage regulator for excitation control to regulate terminal voltage. Load and IG demands reactive power, causes reactive power imbalance hence voltage fluctuations in OGHPS. To manage reactive power for voltage control, two control structures with Proportional–Integral controller(PI), to control  inverter reactive power and  SG excitation by automatic voltage regulator are incorporated.  Improper tuning of controllers lead  to oscillatory and sluggish response. Hence in this test system both controllers need to be tune optimally. This paper proposes novel intelligent computing algorithm , Enhanced Bacterial forging algorithm (EBFA) for optimal reactive power controller for voltage control in OGHPS. Small signal model of OGHPS with proposed controller is  tested for different disturbances. simulation results  are compared  with conventional  method , proved the effectiveness of EBFA

A multilevel converter with a floating bridge for open-ended winding motor drive application

In this thesis, a dual inverter topology is considered as an alternative to a multilevel converter for the control of high speed machines. Instead of feeding to one end of the stator with a single power converter, this topology feeds from both sides of the stator winding using two converters, thus achieving multilevel output voltage waveforms across the load. A large amount of published work in the area of open end winding power converter topologies are focused on symmetrical voltage sources. This published research recognises the advantages of the converter system in terms of increased reliability, improved power sharing capability and elimination of common mode voltages when compared to traditional single sided three phase converter solutions. However isolated DC supplies come with the price of additional components thus increase size, weight and losses of the converter system. The aim of this project is, therefore, to investigate on reducing size, weight and losses of the open end winding motor drive by eliminating the need for isolated supply as well to achieve multilevel output voltage waveform. A traditional open-end winding induction motor drive has been analysed in terms of weight and losses and it has been clearly identified that the isolation transformer not only increases the size and weight of a drive system but also includes additional losses. A modified dual inverter system has then been proposed where one of the bridge inverters is floating, thus eliminated the need for isolated supplies. An asymmetric DC voltage sources ratio of 2:1 is utilised to achieve multilevel output voltage waveform across the load. The switching sequences are also analysed to identify the charging and discharging sequences to achieve control over floating capacitor voltage. This thesis describes the theoretical derivation of the modified converter model and algorithms as well as experimental results from an 11kW laboratory prototype