Quasi Two-Level PWM Operation of an MMC Phase Leg with Reduced Module Capacitance

The modular multilevel converter offers benefits for medium and high voltage power conversion due to indirect series connection of devices. The drawback is a large amount of capacitance that has to be installed in each module, often prohibiting its use in cost sensitive applications. This letter proposes a new operation mode of modular multilevel topologies that allows reducing the capacitance by at least an order of magnitude. To achieve this, the multilevel operation is sacrificed, but many advantages of indirect series connection, such as proper voltage sharing, small voltage steps, limited voltage slopes, modularity, and scalability remain

Designing a Passively Damped Quasi-Two-Level-Operated Modular Multilevel Converter for Drive Applications

This paper concentrates on the simplest quasi-two-level PWM operation mode for modular multilevel converters, where the internal currents within the converter are not controlled. The model of the converter is derived and the properties of the inherent resonance circuit within the converter are discussed. The paper proposes an optimized design approach for the converter parameters and shows several challenges in the practical design. The main problem of the studied converter operation mode is the dependency of the converter behavior on many parasitic parameters that can significantly vary in the converter production. Moreover, the paper shows that when the converter losses are low, the optimized converter inductances are below the values expected for realistic converter construction. Consequently, the module capacitances have to be significantly increased or the converter internal currents reach exceedingly high values. Furthermore, a comparison is drawn to the quasi-two-level PWM operation mode in which the leg currents and branch energies are controlled, showing several crucial disadvantages of the studied passively damped operation mode. The utilized models and the basic concepts are validated experimentally on a downscaled converter prototype

CZĘSTOTLIWOŚCIOWY KONWERTER PWM ZE STEROWANIEM W OTWARTEJ PĘTLI

An harmonic domain model is developed for open-loop controlled voltage source inverters, which provides the steady-state solution for integer multiples of the fundamental frequency. The convolution of the switching function spectrum with the converter currents and voltages is used to describe the coupling of the AC side and the DC side. The modeling is based on a single phase leg and is extended to a single-phase and a three-phase voltage source inverter, which results in a non-linear algebraic equation system. For open-loop control the switching function is independent of the converter currents and voltages and the model is simplified to a linear equation system. This straightforward and fast model is verified by time domain simulations and experimental results. The modeling can be adapted to systems of coupled converters, which is presented for a back-to-back converter system showing the harmonic interaction of the connected subsystems.Opracowano model w domenie częstotliwości dla falowników napięcia sterowanych w otwartej pętli, który zapewnia rozwiązanie w stanie ustalonym dla całkowitych wielokrotności częstotliwości podstawowej. Splot spektrum funkcyjnego przełączania z prądami i napięciami przemiennika służy do opisania sprzężenia strony prądu przemiennego i prądu stałego. Modelowanie opiera się na pojedynczej fazie i jest rozszerzone na falownik jednofazowy i trójfazowy, co skutkuje nieliniowym układem równań algebraicznych. W przypadku sterowania w otwartej pętli funkcja przełączania jest niezależna od prądów i napięć przekształtnika, a model jest uproszczony do układu równań liniowych. Ten prosty i szybki model jest weryfikowany przez symulacje w dziedzinie czasu i wyniki eksperymentalne. Modelowanie może być dostosowane do systemów przekształtników sprzężonych, które przedstawiono dla systemu konwertera równoległego pokazującego harmoniczne oddziaływanie połączonych podsystemów

Analytical Design of Self-Sensing Control for PMSM Using Quasi-Direct Calculation

The analytical description and parameterization of a self-sensing control (SSC) for an electrical machine is an important step toward easier commissioning of these systems. In this article, the advantages of high bandwidth position estimation via numerical optimization and the filtering characteristics of a phase-locked loop are combined in the quasi-direct (QD) calculation. The QD calculation uses two parameters for estimation. With the help of the maximum possible acceleration of the drive train, an interdependency between these two parameters is derived. The remaining degree of freedom is used to tune the dynamics of the estimation. Using the transfer function of the estimator, which is derived analytically, the parameters of the speed control are selected, and a specified phase-margin is implemented. With the help of the analytical parameterization, no empirical or numerical tuning needs to be done, which is unique for SSC. All results are experimentally validated

On the Coupling of Power-Related and Inner Inverter Control Loops of Grid-Forming Converter Systems

In the last decade, different control concepts for the synchronisation of voltage-controlled power converters have been proposed in order to form converter-based power systems. The interoperability of these grid-forming power controls is often analysed based on reduced-order models covering only the slow controls or modes. In this article, the coupling of the outer, power-related and inner, inverter output-related control of multiple grid-forming power converter systems is analysed, based on a minimal working example. The elementary study cases each consist of a different grid-forming converter coupled with an external (and passive) grid. Here, the investigated stability problems are already manifested in the simplest possible setup. The analysis of these coupling effects is performed by modelling the system in impedance-based, state-space and phase portrait-based frameworks. In particular, small coupling impedances, like short transmission lines or small short circuit impedances, can be challenging for the controller stability of grid-forming converters while the inner controls can even enhance this issue. The impact of this phenomenon and the participating subsystems are identified in this work. Thus, recommendations concerning modelling techniques and their legitimate assumptions are given. Laboratory experiments validate the performed analysis by indicating a close correlation between analytical models and experimental results. CCB

Frequency-Domain Modeling of Harmonic Interactions in Voltage-Source Inverters with Closed-Loop Control

Power electronic converters, together with their loads, sources, and controls, form a coupled system that includes many nonlinear interactions, for instance due to pulse-width modulation (PWM) and feedback control. In this paper we develop a complete, nonlinear modeling approach for voltage-source inverters in the frequency domain, taking into account the harmonic components introduced into the system from the inputs and from the nonlinear digital PWM. The most important contribution is a method for analyzing how these harmonics propagate through the nonlinear system in steady state. To enable this, an analytic model of PWM with arbitrary, multiple-frequency input is necessary. A revised model of Asymmetrical regularly-sampled double-edge PWM (AD-PWM) is proposed and its incorporation into the system model regarding sampling effects is discussed. The resulting nonlinear equation system is numerically and simultaneously solved, yielding the spectra of all relevant signals in the converter. The results are validated with time-domain simulations and with measurements, proving the effectiveness of the proposed approach

Unconventional windings for traction motors in electric vehicles

In this dissertation, combined star-delta windings and single-layer fractional-slot distributed windings are mainly evaluated, which are incorporated within a cage-induction machine and an electrically excited synchronous machine, respectively. Both electrical machines were de-signed as prototypes for automotive applications. The combined star-polygon windings feature an increased fundamental winding factor and a decreased harmonic leakage factor. These characteristics make them suitable for traction appli-cations to increase the torque density of electrical machines, to widen the field-weakening region and to reduce the noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH). Almost every winding, in-cluding some single-layer fractional-slot distributed windings, can be connected in combined star-polygon. Due to the undesired magnetic coupling between the additional spatial harmonics generated by the winding and the low-resistance rotor circuit, the single-layer fractional-slot distributed windings are only suitable for synchronous machines without electrically conductive solid rotors or damper windings. Besides, they do not need an additional insulation layer inside the slots to isolate different coil sides compared to the double-layer windings. This provides an additional space inside the slots, which can be used to increase the slot-filling factor. Moreo-ver, an increased slot-filling factor and a reduced number of insulation layers improve the ef-fectiveness of the cooling system. Nevertheless, a single-layer compared to a double-layer fractional-slot distributed windings excites additional spatial harmonics, which can affect the performance and the NVH behavior of synchronous machines. Therefore, the performance and the NVH results measured on com-parable electrically excited synchronous machines are studied in detail. In contrast to other winding types, the star of slots is found being insufficient to design some single-layer fractional-slot distributed windings. Thus, part of this work deals with the sys-tematic design method of fractional-slot distributed windings based on the winding index. Through the analyses of this work, some analytical methods such as calculation equations of the winding factor are developed and the harmonic leakage factor of the zero sequence is de-rived. Besides, the rotating field theory is integrated with the winding function approach to consider the possible unipolar flux densities, the stator and rotor slotting, the static and dy-namic air-gap eccentricities, the magnetic saturation and the stator and rotor magnetic aniso-tropies. The Fourier series of the measured terminal currents, voltages and accordingly the instantaneous powers bring some additional information, which can be applied to the rotating field theory to explain the corresponding magnetic NVH excitations

Benchmarking the Setup of Updatable zk-SNARKs

Subversion-resistant zk-SNARKs allow the provers to verify the Structured Reference String (SRS), via an SRS Verification (SV) algorithm and bypass the need for a Trusted Third Party (TTP). Pairing-based zk-SNARKs with $updatable$ and $universal$ SRS are an extension of subversion-resistant ones which additionally allow the verifiers to update the SRS, via an SRS Updating (SU) algorithm, and similarly bypass the need for a TTP. In this paper, we examine the setup of these zk-SNARKs by benchmarking the efficiency of the SV and SU algorithms within the $\textsf{Arkworks}$ library. The benchmarking covers a range of updatable zk-SNARKs, including Sonic, Plonk, Marlin, Lunar, and Basilisk. Our analysis reveals that relying solely on the standard Algebraic Group Model (AGM) may not be sufficient in practice, and we may need a model with weaker assumptions. Specifically, we find that while Marlin is secure in the AGM, additional elements need to be added to its SRS to formally prove certain security properties in the updatable CRS model. We demonstrate that the SV algorithms become inefficient for mid-sized circuits with over 20,000 multiplication gates and 100 updates. To address this, we introduce Batched SV algorithms (BSV) that leverage standard batching techniques and offer significantly improved performance. As a tool, we propose an efficient verification approach that allows the parties to identify a malicious SRS updater with logarithmic verification in the number of updates. In the case of Basilisk, for a circuit with $2^{20}$ multiplication gates, a $1000$-time updated SRS can be verified in less than 30 sec, a malicious updater can be identified in less than 4 min (improvable by pre-computation), and each update takes less than 6 min

Containment of a fatal and highly infectious disease outbreak

This case study was designed based on several experience with several viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) outbreaks responded to in Uganda between 2000 and 2016. Fictitious scenarios have been included to facilitate learning of the users. The major goal of the case study is to facilitate learners to appreciate incident detection and the incident management processes for control and containment of a fatal and highly infectious viral disease outbreak. This case study is targeted towards health scientists of medicine, nursing, biomedical laboratory and public health background. We specifically orient learners on clinical presentation of viral infections and laboratory tests considered for incident detection, conducting a risk assessment for an infectious disease, Infection Prevention and Control in the outbreak setting, skills of incident management, analysis and interpretation of epidemiological data to aid epidemic response and control decisions

Converter Lifetime Assessment for Doubly-Fed Induction Generators Considering Derating Control Strategies at Low Rotor Frequencies

In this paper, various control strategies around the synchronous operating point with the aim to reduce the thermal loading of the rotor-side converter in wind turbines equipped with doubly-fed induction generators are investigated regarding their assets and drawbacks. It is shown that there are various possibilities to prolong the lifetime expectation of the converter regarding its thermal stress by implementing these control strategies. However, every control measure requires a careful design process or a slight adjustment of the system to ensure a positive effect on the overall behaviour of the wind turbine