Noise analysis of DC-AC random PWM schemes

Random pulsewidth modulation (RPWM) techniques for DC-AC power converters usually work well with high-sampling frequency. When RPWM schemes are implemented in digital signal processors (DSPs), the sampling frequency is limited by the speed of the processors. This paper analyzes the noise spectrum of various DSP-implemented RPWM techniques using a statistical approach. The relationship of the noise components and the sampling frequency for both the standard RPWM and the weighted RPWM methods is generalized. The dependency of the noise characteristics on various factors is calculated theoretically and verified experimentally. The generalized noise theory for randomized PWM switching provides useful practical guidelines to the choice of sampling frequency     

Microprocessor-based random PWM schemes for DC-AC power conversion

Two classes of microprocessor-based random PWM (RPWM) real-time schemes for DC-AC power conversion are compared and evaluated. Performance of the RPWM schemes based on mathematical and logical approaches is examined. The proposed schemes exhibit excellent harmonic content with all low and high-order harmonics suppressed, and are suitable for both MOSFET and IGBT inverters     

A comparison of nondeterministic and deterministic switchingmethods for DC-DC power converters

An analysis and experimental results of the random pulsewidth modulation (RPWM) and random pulse-position modulation (RPPM) methods for DC-DC converters are presented. The characteristics and performance of power converters under two randomized modulations are evaluated. The theoretical relationships of discrete harmonics, continuous noise, and output-voltage ripple of the RPWM and RPPM schemes are established and compared with those of a standard deterministic pulsewidth modulation (PWM) scheme in a buck converter. Limitations in the randomly switched DC-DC converters, which have not been addressed before, are highlighted. Randomized schemes generally have inherent problems in achieving low-output-voltage ripple due to the low-frequency continuous noise within the passband of the converter filter. The inherent low-frequency noise-induced voltage ripple problems of nondeterministic switching methods for DC converters are confirmed experimentally. The performance of the RPPM method is found to be closer to the standard PWM method than that of the RPWM method. For DC-DC power conversion, the RPPM method offers much better output-voltage performance than the RPWM method     

Novel random PWM schemes with weighted switching decision

A new random pulse-width modulation (RPWM) scheme, which includes a weighted decision switching process, has been developed and tested. The switching strategy can be applied to the entire range of the modulation index. The scheme combines the advantages of the deterministic nature of the standard pulse-width modulation (PWM) schemes, and the nondeterministic spread-spectral characteristic of RPWM schemes. Test results have confirmed the improved spectral performance of the proposed schemes over a standard RPWM scheme at both low- and high-modulation indexes     

Improved spectral performance of random PWM schemes with weightedswitching decision

The authors present a statistical approach to the analysis of random pulsewidth modulation (RPWM) methods which generate PWM signals by comparing a reference modulating function with random numbers or signals. Such an approach is used to analyze and optimize a new weighted RPWM (WRPWM) method and also a standard trapezoidal RPWM method. The WRPWM scheme combines the advantages of the nondeterministic and deterministic PWM methods by adding some deterministic nature into the nondeterministic RPWM method. Both theoretical and experimental results confirm that the optimized WRPWM method has better spectral performance over the standard RPWM schemes and has attractive features such as the potential of third-harmonic boosting, reduced acoustic noise, and minimal low-order harmonics under an overmodulation condition for electronic drive applications     

Experimental investigation of a naval propulsion drive model with the PWM-based attenuation of the acoustic and electromagnetic noise

An extensive experimental investigation of a 40-hp ac drive was conducted with the focus on mitigation of the acoustic and electromagnetic noise, and vibration, by means of random pulsewidth modulation (RPWM) employed in the drive's inverter. The drive was a laboratory model of an electric propulsion system for naval vessels, particularly electric submarines, in which the noise mitigation is crucial for survivability. Three PWM methods were compared: 1) the classic deterministic PWM, characterized by a constant switching period equal to the sampling period of the digital modulator; 2) the known RPWM technique, referred to as RPWM I, in which the switching and sampling periods are varied simultaneously in a random manner; and 3) a novel RPWM method, referred to as RPWM II, with a constant sampling period and the switching periods randomly varied around an average value equal to the sampling period. The experimental results have confirmed the mitigating properties of RPWM with respect to the acoustic and electromagnetic noise, and vibration. Because of the fixed sampling frequency, the RPWM II technique is technically more convenient than the classic RPWM I method and only marginally less effective in flattening the peaks of noise spectra. Importantly, conclusions drawn from the described study are valid for ac drives in general.     

Spread spectrum in three-phase inverter by an optimised dual randomised PWM technique

Randomised pulse width modulation (RPWM) technique has become a viable alternative to deterministic pulse width modulation (DPWM). By spreading the power spectrum in a continuous noise, this new technique better complies with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements for conducted electromagnetic interferences (EMI) and allows reducing the emitted acoustic noise in variable speed drives (VSDs). The most popular RPWM schemes are randomised pulse position modulation (RPPM) and randomised carrier frequency modulation (RCFM). The combination (RCFM-RPPM) or dual RPWM (DRPWM) has also been proposed. In this article, we propose an optimised DRPWM (ODRPWM) for the three-phase inverter. First, the modulating principle is proposed, and then, a mathematical model of power spectral density (PSD) of the output voltage is developed and validated for the three schemes, namely RPPM, RCFM and RCFM-RPPM. PSD analysis shows that the proposed scheme is more effective on spreading PSD. Moreover, this analysis reveals optimal parameters of randomisation for a maximum spread of the PSD. The optimisation problem is then modelled and solved using two powerful non-linear methods.     

A new simplified space-vector PWM method for three-level inverters

In this paper, a new simplified space-vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) method for a three-level inverter is proposed. This method is based on the simplification of the space-vector diagram of a three-level inverter into that of a two-level inverter. If simplified by the proposed method, all the remaining procedures necessary for the three-level SVPWM are done like conventional two-level inverter and the execution time is greatly reduced. The DC-link neutral-point potential control algorithms are implemented more easily. The proposed method can be applied to the multi-level inverters above three-level. The validity of the new SVPWM method is verified by experiment with a 1000 kVA three-level insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) inverter     

Direct self control of induction machines fed by a doublethree-level inverter

For variable speed induction motor drives with very high power and extreme demand on the quality of torque, a novel concept of feeding an induction machine with open windings by two gate-turn-off (GTO) three-level inverters is investigated. For optimal operation with the restricted switching frequency of these high-power inverters, direct self control (DSC) is mostly suited, which is well proven with two-level and three-level inverters in traction, allowing a highly dynamic control of the induction machine. In comparison with two-level and three-level inverters, torque ripple and distortion of motor currents are efficiently reduced, while maintaining the excellent dynamic qualities of DSC     

Control techniques for a high power factor multilevel rectifier based on double boost converter

In this paper three novel control schemes for the single-phase ac/dc converter with two-level or three-level pulse width modulation are proposed to improve the power quality. A diode rectifier with two power switches is adopted as a power factor correction circuit to achieve high power factor and low harmonic distortion. The proposed control schemes are based on look-up tables with a hysteresis current controller instead of the conventional complex control algorithm. The proposed control scheme can (1) draw a sinusoidal line current, (2) achieve a unity power factor and (3) improve voltage unbalance problem on the dc bus capacitors. The software simulations and experimental results are shown to verify the proposed control algorithms. It is shown that the measured harmonic currents and input power factor satisfy the international standard requirements such as International Electrotechnical Commission 1000-3-2.     

一种新型的零电压零电流三电平变换器的研究

针对采用IGBT的软开关三电平变换器中IGBT关断过程存在的电流拖尾现象,以及基本三电平拓扑变压器次级存在的电压过冲和电压振荡现象,提出了改进型ZVZCS三电平结构。该结构在基于拓扑的三电平桥臂侧和两电平桥臂侧分别加入了一个无源辅助网络,三电平桥臂侧的辅助变压器在续流阶段为主变压器初级电流回零提供了条件,两电平桥臂的谐振电感和箍位二极管有效地抑制了主变压器次级电压的过冲现象。详细分析了改进拓扑的工作原理、工作模态,以及辅助网络的工作特点,并研制了实验样机,验证了理论分析的正确性以及改进拓扑的可行性。     

Zero-voltage-switching PWM hybrid full-bridge three-level converter

This paper proposes a zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) pulse-width modulation (PWM) hybrid full-bridge three-level converter, which has a three-level leg and a two-level leg. The switches of the three-level leg sustain only the half of the input voltage, and they can realize ZVS in a wide load range. The switches of the two-level leg sustain the input voltage, and they can realize ZVS with the use of the resonant inductance. The secondary rectified voltage is a three-level waveform having lower high-frequency content compared with that of the traditional full-bridge converters, which can reduce the output filter, and as a result, the dynamic response of the converter is improved. The voltage stress of the rectifier diode is reduced also. The input current of the converter has quite little ripple, so the input filter can also be significantly reduced. The operation principle of the proposed converter is analyzed and verified by the experimental results.     

Series equivalence/operation of current-controlled boost-typesingle-phase voltage source converters for bidirectional power flow

Single-phase voltage source power converters (VSCs) under consideration are AC-DC current-controlled boost-type power converters with bidirectional power-handling capability. Equivalence between two series-connected two-level power converters and a single three-level power converter is considered here. Further considered is the series operation of three-level power converters. Simulation results and experimental verification for both are provided. Economical configurations of three-level power converters leading to multilevel waveforms are presented thereafter     

Quantized Feedback in an Experimental 280-Mb/s Digital Repeater for Coaxial Transmission

A 280-Mb/s digital coaxial repeater employing two-level transmission with quantized feedback for dc-wander control has been designed and constructed. The linear channel forward path includes a 10-MHz low-frequency cutoff, and the missing low frequencies are supplied by a filtered signal from the repeater output. This approach effectively removes dc wander without use of code restriction, making it possible to use two-level rather than three-level transmission without loss of information transmission. Eye margins are consequently significantly greater than for previously designed 280-Mb/s three-level repeaters. The bandwidth ratio, or ratio of upper to lower 3-dB down points of the signal transmission path, is only 10 for this approach compared to several hundred for the three-level bipolar approach (and more for codes with higher transmission efficiency). This results in greatly reduced susceptibility to interference from lightning and power surges, elimination of preamplifier overload, and simplified repeater design.     

Three-dimensional pulse-width modulation technique in three-levelpower inverters for three-phase four-wired system

Shunt-connected trilevel power inverter in three-phase four-wired system as an active filter or individual current supply (peak-load supply) is studied by a novel technique: three-dimensional (3-D) voltage vectors pulse width modulation (PWM). In past decades, almost all the study for PWM is limited to the two-dimensional (2-D) domain, α and β frames, in a three-phase three-wired system. However, in practical operation, there are many three-phase four-wired systems in distribution sites. The generalized study of 3-D two-level and three-level inverters is achieved in this paper so as to perform the basic theory of 3-D multilevel space vector switching PWM technique. The sign cubical hysteresis control strategy is proposed and studied with simulation results in 3-D aspect. The 3-D PWM technique in three-level inverters is accomplished     

Topological Design and Modulation Strategy for Buck–Boost Three-Level Inverters

To date, designed topologies for dc–ac inversion with both voltage buck and boost capabilities are mainly focused on two-level circuitries with extensions to three-level possibilities left nearly unexplored. Contributing to this area of research, this paper presents the design of a number of viable buck–boost three-level inverters that can also support bidirectional power conversion. The proposed front-end circuitry is developed from the Ćuk-derived buck–boost two-level inverter, and by using the “alternative phase opposition disposition” modulation scheme, the buck–boost three-level inverters can perform distinct five-level line voltage and three-level phase voltage switching by simply controlling the active switches located in the designed voltage boost section of the circuits. As a cost saving option, one active switch can further be removed from the voltage boost section of the circuits by simply rerouting the gating commands of the remaining switches without influencing the ac output voltage amplitude. To verify the validity of the proposed inverters, MATLAB/PLECS simulations were performed before a laboratory prototype was implemented for experimental testing.      

Optimal control of three-level PWM inverters

An harmonic loss-minimized optimal PWM strategy for three-level inverters is investigated. The different PWM methods for low-, middle-, and high-speed regions are presented. It is shown that, for three-level inverters, the optimized strategy in all speed regions differs from the optimal PWM strategy of two-level inverters. The developed optimal control ensures a minimum of harmonic losses for a predetermined number of commutations of three-level PWM inverters and for a given value of the fundamental harmonic voltage     

三电平SVPWM算法的研究

三电平逆变器是目前电力电子与电力传动学科研究的热点之一,但其控制算法也要比传统的两电平逆变器复杂很多,一般采用便于数字实现的空间矢量脉宽调制(SVPWM)的方法来控制.本文介绍了SVPWH算法控制三电平逆变器的实现方法和具体步骤,最后给出了用Matlab/Simulink仿真的结果,表明了三电平逆变器的优点,同时对于深入理解算法原理和控制过程也具有一定的参考价值.     

The Delta-Rectifier: Analysis, Control and Operation

The three-phase Delta-Rectifier is formed by a delta-connection of single-phase pulsewidth modulation (PWM) rectifier modules and has the advantage that it can provide full rated output power in the case of a mains phase loss. In this paper the Delta-Rectifier, implemented with a standard (two-level and/or three-level) boost converter, is analyzed based on an equivalent star connection. Analysis of the Delta-Rectifier shows a redundancy in the switching states concerning the input voltage formation. Furthermore, the Delta-Rectifier has reduced current ripple in the mains phase currents if the modulation is implemented with synchronized PWM. A disadvantage of two-level Delta-Rectifier is the higher voltage stress on the switching devices; however this is mitigated when the boost converter is implemented with a three-level topology as realized for a 10.5-kW laboratory prototype. The Delta-Rectifier concept is proposed based on theoretical considerations and is verified experimentally. The influence of non-idealities on the current ripple formation in the practical realization is analyzed and a high quality mains phase current is demonstrated