Carrier-based PWM-VSI overmodulation strategies: analysis,comparison, and design

In this paper, the overmodulation region voltage-gain characteristics and waveform quality of carrier-based pulsewidth-modulated (PWM) methods are investigated. Through detailed analytical study, voltage-gain characteristics are extracted independent of carrier frequency. The influence of blanking time and minimum pulsewidth (MPW) control on the inverter gain characteristics are studied and shown to be significant. A comparative evaluation of the modulator characteristics reveals the advantageous high-modulation-range characteristics of discontinuous PWM methods and, in particular, the superior overmodulation performance of a discontinuous PWM method. The modulation methods under consideration are tested on a PWM voltage-source inverter (VSI)-fed induction motor drive in the laboratory, and the theoretical results are verified by experiments. Also, a gain linearization technique is presented and experimentally verified. The results of this study are useful in the design, performance prediction and development of high-performance overmodulation strategies for PWM-VSI drives     

Incorporating the overmodulation range in space vector patterngenerators using a classification algorithm

Operating voltage-source pulsewidth-modulated (PWM) inverters in the overmodulation region extends their voltage and power ranges. Proper operation in this region is of particular importance in AC motor drives. This paper presents a classification algorithm for the implementation of the space vector modulation (SVM) in the pulse-dropping region. It is demonstrated that the proposed algorithm allows smooth transitions through the entire operating range up to square wave operation. It does not require approximations and guarantees exact positioning of the switching instants. In addition, it is shown that the harmonic distortion can be kept lower than with conventional techniques in most of the overmodulation region. The technique requires less computational time, when compared with the conventional SVM methods. The results of the theoretical and mathematical analysis are verified on a 2-kVA prototype unit using a digital signal processor (DSP)-based controller     

Overmodulation strategy for high-performance torque control

In the overmodulation region, the operation of the electrical drive system with a current controller is characterized by a rapid deterioration of motor torque and speed. It is desirable to use the overmodulation strategy, which guarantees the fast response even in transient state and satisfies the overall closed-loop control performance. In this paper, in order to improve the dynamic characteristics of the electrical drive, a new overmodulation technique is proposed. Considering the current transition characteristics, an efficient overmodulation strategy is introduced to achieve better transient performance through an adequate voltage selection. With the help of a new overmodulation strategy, required electrical torque can be directly produced as quickly as possible, and stable drive characteristics can be achieved in the transient condition. The proposed method has been implemented on an actual inverter system and thoroughly tested on a 900-W interior permanent magnet synchronous machine (IPMSM) to confirm its feasibility     

Carrier-Based Modulation Technique for Matrix Converter

This paper presents a carrier-based modulation method for a matrix converter. By using the offset voltage and changing the slope of carrier, it is possible to synthesize the sinusoidal input currents with the unity power factor and desired output voltages. The proposed method is equivalent to the so called space vector pulsewidth modulation method. The proposed method uses a new point of view to understand the matrix converter modulation method such as the voltage source inverter (VSI) modulation method. Using the proposed method, this paper presents the two-phase/three-phase modulation method and dynamic/steady-state overmodulation method for the matrix converter. These methods are well developed in the study of a VSI. By the proposed steady-state overmodulation method, it is possible to synthesize the fundamental component of output voltage to be equal to that of input voltage at the cost of some distortion of input current. The feasibility of the proposed modulation method has been verified by a computer simulation and experimental results. These results show that the proposed carrier-based modulation method can be implemented easily without any tables. It can be used for the application where a higher voltage transfer ratio is essential     

Direct method of overmodulation with integrated closed loop stator flux vector control

Overmodulation achieves full utilization of installed dc link voltage, by modifying the magnitude and the phase of reference voltage vector. Due to the nonlinear behavior in this region, closed loop vector control becomes difficult. A simple method of overmodulation with closed loop control of stator flux vector is proposed in this paper. Instead of modifying the voltage reference by nonlinear equations or look up table, we propose a direct method to generate the switching times. In so doing, the average angular velocity of the stator flux vector is controlled linearly throughout the modulation range. The proposed method shows lower harmonic distortion compared with existing methods. It greatly reduces the complexity and cost of achieving overmodulation over existing schemes.     

A novel overmodulation technique for space-vector PWM inverters

In this paper, a novel overmodulation technique for space-vector pulsewidth modulation (PWM) inverters is proposed. The overmodulation range is divided into two modes depending on the modulation index (MI). In mode I, the reference angles are derived from the Fourier series expansion of the reference voltage which corresponds to the MI. In mode II, the holding angles are also derived in the same way. The strategy, which is easier to understand graphically, produces a linear relationship between the output voltage and the MI up to six-step operation. The relationship between those angles and the MI can be written in lookup tables or, for real-time implementation, can be piecewise linearized. In addition, harmonic components and total harmonic distortion (THD) of the output voltage are analyzed. When the method is applied to the V/f control of an induction motor, a smooth operation during transition from the linear control range to the six-step mode is demonstrated through experimental results     

Full Utilization of the Inverter in Split-Phase Drives by Means of a Dual Three-Phase Space Vector Classification Algorithm

A simple and effective space vector pulsewidth-modulation technique for six-phase voltage-source-inverter-fed split-phase induction motors is presented in this paper. The approach employs dual three-phase space vector modulators equipped with overmodulation schemes that compensate for the voltage gain reduction due to the use of two independently controlled three-phase inverters. It secures full control of the voltage gain up to the maximum achievable gain with negligible low-order harmonics and utilizes a simple classification algorithm for the implementation of the space vector modulation (SVM) in both linear and overmodulation modes. Experimental results are provided to verify the validity of the proposed SVM split-phase approach.     

Control of PWM voltage inverters in the pulse dropping region

The overmodulation of pulse width modulated (PWM) inverters causes a nonlinearity in the feedforward channel. The type of modulator, sine wave, space vector or third harmonic, establishes the characteristics of the transition region's nonlinearity. The characteristics for a number of modulation strategies are introduced. Test results from commercially available volts per hertz (V/F) drives reveal their inability to provide rated voltage even at rated input conditions. The adverse effects of the overmodulation region on current regulated AC inverters are demonstrated by experimental results. A compensated modulation technique (CMT), adaptable to continuous and discontinuous modulators, provides the exact inverse of the nonlinearity; thus it produces a smooth transition to six-step operation without inducing a voltage transient. Experimental results presented in the paper demonstrate the CMT's smooth transition to six-step and the improved performance of the CMT-PWM. Finally, a comparison of the CMT with the other known overmodulation strategy shows the CMT provides a simple technique with essentially identical harmonic characteristics     

An integrated 42-V drive design for automobile loads with a low-distortion overmodulation strategy

This paper (also presented at [27]) presents an integrated design approach to small drives for emerging 42-V automotive systems. The emphasis is on motors for ancillary loads. The final result offers a simple and low cost solution with high efficiency and high power density. Motor and inverter designs are combined to gain advantages in power factor and operating range. A near-minimum-distortion method is introduced for the overmodulation regime to improve power factor without sacrificing harmonic performance. The design is addressed in several steps: integration of the induction motor into a 42-V environment, selection of the inverter modulation scheme, and final system integration. The proposed system consists of an induction motor wound for the proper voltage range and driven by an inverter. The inverter is used partly in the overmodulation regime when bus voltage is low. A signal is formed based on triangle injection to minimize distortion. Some alternative modulation approaches are also analyzed and compared with the proposed solution. Experimental results confirm that a low-distortion overmodulation approach can be implemented successfully.     

Operation of PWM voltage source-inverters in the overmodulationregion

Pulse width modulated (PWM) inverters experience a reduction in gain when overmodulation occurs. The pulse dropping or transition region is examined for continuous and discontinuous modulation strategies. Transition region characteristics for a number of modulation strategies are introduced. The effect of the transition region on field oriented control (FOC) is presented. The adverse effects of bus disturbances on current regulated AC inverters, while in the transition region, are demonstrated by experimental results. The problems encountered are the consequence of the reduced gain of the PWM inverter regardless of the PWM strategy. A compensated modulation technique (CMT) adaptable to continuous and discontinuous modulators eliminates the voltage error and transitions to six-step operation without inducing a voltage transient. The CMT applies to voltage and current regulated PWM inverters employing most of the modern switching strategies. Experimental results presented in the paper demonstrate the CMT's smooth transition to six-step and the improved performance a CMT-PWM algorithm provides     

Performance evaluation of a direct torque controlled drive in thecontinuous PWM-square wave transition region

This paper investigates the operation of a direct torque controlled drive when operating under transient conditions and when operating in overmodulation conditions or in the “transition region” to six-step operation. The direct torque control is a dead-beat control of the torque and flux magnitude. In the steady-state, the stator voltage vector which drives the torque and flux to the reference value is calculated during each fixed switching period. Under transient or overmodulation conditions, an alternative switching algorithm must be used since dead-beat control is no longer possible. Two alternatives are presented for operation in overmodulation. The first involves a determination of the switching state a priori, and calculating the duty cycle for each phase based on the torque and flux error. A much simpler scheme is presented which utilizes the voltage reference vector from the direct torque control algorithm. This scheme, although not resulting in dead-beat control, is shown to provide very satisfactory performance in overmodulation. The direct torque control method shows great promise for light traction applications where a large quasi-constant power region is required. The scheme operates very satisfactorily in overmodulation, compared with existing current regulated PWM-based schemes, due to the fact that the voltage space vectors are directly controlled. A complete experimental evaluation of the proposed scheme operating in the transition region is also given     

电压传输比为1的矩阵变换器调制策略研究

把矩阵变换器等效为虚拟整流和虚拟逆变,并对整流级采用不可控调制,逆变级采用空间矢量过调制策略,解决电压传输比低和调制算法复杂的问题。理论分析与仿真结果表明双模过调制模式I、模式II和单模过调制策略均可使矩阵变换器电压传输比提高到1.0以上,综合电压传输比和输出波形畸变两方面因素,得出双模过调制模式1是最理想调制策略。     

Extended Voltage Swell Ride-Through Capability for PWM Voltage-Source Rectifiers

Voltage swells are one of the most harmful disturbances present in industrial power systems, being capable of severely damaging, breaking, or tripping converters. In the case of pulsewidth-modulation voltage-source rectifiers (PWM-VSRs), swells first saturate their control system and then force them into six-pulse operation if no precautions are taken. This paper presents an extended ride-through strategy enabling these converters to deal and cope with swells of up to 1.8 p.u. (IEEE Std. 1159 swell definition). The proposed strategy first fully exploits the dc-link voltage capacity by dynamically entering the overmodulation region, and secondly by drawing inductive current in case the former action does not suffice. Dynamic overmodulation makes possible the straight ride-through of 15% and 42% three-phase and single-phase swells, whereas the modulation index supervisor/control loop drawing inductive current enables the ride-through for greater magnitude disturbances, all the while avoiding saturation of the converter control system. This is realized using decision-making space vector modulation, and a control system built over a nonlinear control law directly obtained from the converter complex state variable model. In this way, linear and decoupled$d$–$q$axes dynamics are attained, ensuring a constant dynamic response throughout the whole operating range. Finally, experimental results from a TMS320C32 digital-signal-processor-based 5-kVA laboratory prototype subjected to typical industry single- and three-phase swells ranging from 5% to 50% are presented. These confirm the predicted performance and feasibility of the proposed voltage swell ride-through strategy for PWM-VSRs.     

A remote supervisory system based on subcarrier overmodulation forsubmarine optical amplifier systems

A supervisory (SV) signal transmission scheme for long haul optical amplifier systems is described. The scheme is based on subcarrier overmodulation of the line signal and features simple configuration; due to the use of EDFA gain modulation, no additive optical components are required in a submarine repeater to transmit a response signal. This paper discusses the subcarrier modulation index and frequency used for the SV signaling, the most significant design parameters. The dependence of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) on the modulation index in SV signal transmission is analyzed to clarify the modulation index value required for reliable SV signaling. In addition, the line signal impairment caused by subcarrier overmodulation is also analyzed to show the system's in-service feasibility. The subcarrier frequencies used for command and response signal transmission are discussed from the experimental results on the frequency response of an optical amplifier system and EDFA gain modulation efficiency     

A new low-cost, fully fault-protected PWM-VSI inverter with truephase-current information

This paper proposes a new topology for a low-cost three-phase pulse width modulation (PWM) VSI inverter where a true phase current information exists with the use of only one current sensor in the DC link. The topology also has the benefits of full protection of the inverter such as short circuits in the DC link, output phase faults, and output earth faults. Previously suggested methods have problems at low speed in detecting the phase current, but by the use of space vector modulation in a double-sided implementation, the PWM-pulses are adjusted so true information about the phase current exists even at very low speed. The DC link current is sampled twice during one switching period, and it is proposed to sample in the center of the PWM-pulses to obtain a real average phase current. The effects of blanking-time and overmodulation are also discussed. The strategy is implemented in a 16-b microcontroller, and the test results show the technique is useful in the whole speed range. It is concluded by the use of the proposed topology that only one current sensor will be necessary in the future for PWM-VSI inverters     

Extension of operation of space vector PWM strategies with low switching frequencies using different overmodulation algorithms

This paper investigates the operation of four space vector-based synchronized pulse-width modulation (PWM) strategies in the overmodulation zone using three different overmodulation algorithms. It is shown that the symmetries in the PWM waveforms generated can be preserved in the overmodulation zone also. With any given overmodulation algorithm, the voltage control characteristics (i.e., fundamental voltage versus control variable) are found to vary with PWM strategy, pulse number and type of clamping. The inverse of the appropriate voltage control curve is used during premodulation to maintain the modulator gain constant. The differences in the nature of the voltage control characteristics with the different overmodulation algorithms are brought out. These characteristics are compared and contrasted against those at high switching frequencies. The harmonic distortion in the different cases is evaluated and compared. It is shown that the bus clamping strategies perform better than the conventional strategy with any given overmodulation algorithm employed. These strategies, which exploit the flexibilities in the space vector approach, are useful in high power drives on account of their superior waveform quality at low switching frequencies and high DC bus utilization.     

Voltage modulation factor of the magnetic flux control PWM methodfor inverter

The voltage modulation factor of the magnetic flux control pulse-width modulation (PWM) method is discussed. The modulation factor is derived from a theoretical study on the flux locus produced from the inverter output voltage. The derivation is based on the fact that the fundamental component of the inverter output voltage is proportional to the radius of the flux locus. It is shown theoretically that the voltage modulation factor is expressed by the content of a zero vector in one cycle of the selected PWM pattern of the space vector expression. The modulation factor of the magnetic flux control PWM method is calculated. The modulation factor can be varied from zero to 12/π². The output voltage of the magnetic flux control PWM method can be controlled by the modulation factor linearly from zero up to overmodulation. The simulation and experimental results are also shown     

Torque ripple analysis and dynamic performance of a space vector modulation based control method for AC-drives

A constant switching frequency torque control method is presented in this paper, that uses flux error vector based space vector modulation (SVM) to achieve steady state and dynamic control of torque. The effect of SVM switching on torque ripple has been analyzed using "flux ripple vectors". This approach is used to develop an insight of torque ripple and to estimate it for any operating angular velocity. We propose a method of compensation to maintain steady state control of torque in the overmodulation region of operation. During torque dynamic, the optimum maximum switching state vector is selected. This gives a response similar to that obtained using direct torque control (DTC) and direct self control (DSC) methods. The proposed method is verified experimentally.     

A General Space Vector PWM Algorithm for Multilevel Inverters, Including Operation in Overmodulation Range

This paper proposes a simple space vector pulsewidth modulation algorithm for a multilevel inverter for operation in the overmodulation range. The proposed scheme easily determines the location of the reference vector and calculates on-times. It uses a simple mapping to generate gating signals for the inverter. A five-level cascaded inverter is used to explain the scheme. The scheme can be easily extended to a n-level inverter. It is applicable to neutral point clamped topology as well. Experimental results are provided for five-level and seven-level cascaded inverters     

Overmodulation in subcarrier multiplexed video FM broad-bandoptical networks

The probability of an SCM (subcarrier multiplexed) signal falling outside the linear region of a laser diode is calculated in order to determine the overmodulation that may be practically employed for multichannel video distribution in single-octave SCM networks. The overmodulation is predicted as a function of the number of subcarriers in single-octave SCM systems supporting up to about 70 FM video channels, for SNRs (signal-to-noise ratios) of 47 dB (I/PAL), and 56 dB (M/NTSC). The RMS optical modulation index (OMI) is demonstrated to be a more useful performance parameter than the linear OMI in SCM systems carrying a large number of channels. A 47 dB weighted SNR (with 4 dB margin) is deemed sufficient for acceptable picture quality in cable distribution systems, whereas a 56 dB value would be required for long-distance point-to-point optical links. RMS OMI values of around 70 and 50, respectively, can be employed