Simplified control technique for unity-power-factor boostpre-regulator

A simple implementation of the average-current-mode control technique for a single-phase boost power-factor pre-regulator is presented to give good line current correction. The controller avoids use of a multiplier. A sample-and-hold circuit, and a line voltage sensor. It provides an effective solution when a low-cost control circuit is required     

Simple, low-cost control of unity-power-factor boost pre-regulator

A simple design for the control circuit of a unity-power-factor boost pre-regulator is presented. The controller operates in continuous conduction mode and avoids the use of an analogue multiplier and the sensing of the line voltage. The proposed circuit is an interesting solution when high-efficiency and low-cost control circuitry are required     

Linear control design for a current-injection-based three-phase unity-power-factor rectifier

In this paper, a new control strategy based on the pulsewidth-modulation technique is proposed and applied to an active-current-injection-based unity-power-factor three-phase ac-dc converter. The control circuit of the converter consists of a multivariable inner current regulator and an outer voltage regulator. Based on linear control techniques, the control circuit has been designed. Averaging techniques are used to derive a linear small-signal model of the converter in the frequency domain. Numerical simulations using the Power System Blockset tool of Matlab/Simulink highlight the performance of the proposed control scheme. Experimental results obtained on a 2-kW prototype validate the theoretical approach described in the paper.     

Sliding-mode control in voltage source inverter-based higher-order circuits

In this article, a new control methodology of sliding-mode control (SMC) for voltage source inverter (VSI)-based higher-order circuit is proposed. In this method, the SMC is used at the inner terminals for stable tracking of the voltage and current variables. An outer voltage control loop is included to reduce the steady-state error in tracking the reference load voltage. It is shown that when the SMC is applied on the load voltage terminal for higher-order VSI circuits, it leads to the instability. However, it well stabilises the system when the controller is implemented on the inner shunt capacitor terminals. Additional outer voltage control loop with proportional plus integral controller will ensure regulated voltage across the load. It has been shown that the controller is able to achieve good tracking accuracy with an acceptable stability margins. The performance of the proposed SMC has been verified on the fourth-order VSI circuit.     

Predicted (on-time) equal-charge criterion scheme forconstant-frequency control of single-phase boost-type AC-DC converters

A new constant switching frequency control method for single-phase boost-type AC-DC power converters is presented. The on times of the converter switches in each switching period is determined such that the average input current tracks the reference template in every switching cycle. The problems encountered in achieving smooth and stable operation and the modifications made to overcome them are discussed. The simulation studies done on a power converter controlled with this method, which is known as the predicted (on-time) equal-charge criterion (PECC) method, indicate stable operation at different input-current and voltage levels and power factors. The method was implemented on an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) power converter rated at 1 kVA using a 80 386 processor system for computations. The experimental results are presented and discussed in this paper     

Three-phase unity-power-factor star-connected switch (VIENNA) rectifier with unified constant-frequency integration control

A unified constant-frequency integration (UCI) controller for a three-phase star-connected switch three-level rectifier (VIENNA) with unity-power-factor-correction is proposed. One of advantages of this rectifier is that the switch voltage stress is one half of the total output voltage. The proposed control approach is based on one-cycle control and features great simplicity and reliability: all three phases will be power factor corrected using one or two integrators with reset along with several flips-flops, comparators and logic and linear components. It does not require multipliers to scale the current reference according to the output power level as used in many other control approaches. In addition, the input voltage sensor is eliminated. It employs constant switching frequency modulation that is desirable for industrial applications. The proposed controller can operate by sensing either the inductor currents or the switching currents. If the switching currents are sensed, the cost is further reduced because switching currents are easier to sense comparing with inductor currents. The proposed approach is supported by experimental results.     

Indirect current control of a single-phase voltage-sourced boost-type bridge converter operated in the rectifier mode

An H-bridge transistorized converter intended for front-end power conversion at a high power-factor and a constant desired output voltage has been analyzed. The state-space model of the H-bridge converter controlled by the bipolar pulse width modulated (PWM) technique is described and the expressions for the equilibrium points of operation of the state variables corresponding to the circuit parameters have been derived. The converter is intended for use as a voltage source feeding an inverter. Hence the requirement of maintaining a desired DC voltage at its output becomes necessary. Transient behavior of two control strategies have been tested to examine their performance in stabilising the converter at the desired operating state. Comparison of the two feedback strategies has been done by simulation studies and the one that was found superior has been experimentally implemented. The experimental implementation of the controller for the converter operation in the rectifier mode is also described. The experimental results obtained are presented and compared with simulation results to validate the controller's performance under transient conditions.     

Sliding-mode control of quantum series-parallel resonant converters via input-output linearization

The purpose of this paper is to explore the problem of designing proper sliding-mode controllers to regulate the output voltage of the dc-to-dc quantum series-parallel resonant converter. A control-oriented dynamic model, which appropriately describes the large-signal behavior of the power circuit by average state variables, is first developed. Using input-output feedback linearization, a control design methodology is then presented, which leads to a family of sliding surfaces that make the output voltage behave following a particular large-signal linear dynamics. Among these surfaces, the final configuration is selected taking into account control circuit simplicity as the basic premise. Besides exhibiting the absence of output-voltage errors in steady state, the control solution leads to robust operation with respect to parameter variations and external disturbances. Simulations and experimental results are reported to validate the expected features of the proposed control solution.     

Single switch unity-power-factor dimmable fluorescent lamp ballastcircuit

The authors propose an electronic ballast circuit which is capable of achieving high power factor, high efficiency, dimming control, and freedom from lamp flickering. All these features are accomplished with a single-switch power circuit, and a low-cost control circuit. Experimental results are given     

Sliding-mode control of doubly-fed generator for optimum power curve tracking

Aiming to achieve superior tracking of a predefined optimum power curve, a simple standard sliding-mode controller (SMC) for the rotor-side converter feeding a doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) is synthesised. Besides being robust against DFIG parameter variations, it is implementable on FPGA, and does not require PWM or SVM modulation. Results of real-time hardware-in-the-loop evaluation, obtained when running the proposed SMC together with an MRAS observer for sensorless control, are reported.     

Sliding-mode MRAS speed estimators for sensorless vector control of induction Machine

This paper presents two novel sliding mode (SM) model reference adaptive system (MRAS) observers for speed estimation in a sensorless-vector-controlled induction-machine drive. Both methods use the flux estimated by the voltage model observer as the reference and construct SM flux observers that allow speed estimation. Stability and dynamics of the two proposed SM flux observers are discussed. The observers are compared with the classical MRAS observer. The proposed estimators seem very robust and easy to tune. Unlike the classical MRAS, the speed-estimation process is based on algebraic calculations that do not exhibit underdamped poles or zeros on the right-hand plane. Simulations and experimental results on a 1/4-hp three-phase induction machine confirm the validity of the approaches.     

A boost-type converter for DC-supply of fluorescent lamps

A boost type converter is described that is suitable for low-voltage DC-supply of fluorescent lamps. It has inherent lamp current limitation (ballast action) and provides the high voltage pulses and electrode heating that are required for igniting the lamp. The proposed circuit is applicable in automotive, emergency, and portable light sources.<>     

Fast controller for a unity-power-factor PWM rectifier

This paper presents an analog implementation of a fast controller for a unity-power-factor (UPF) PWM rectifier. The best settling times of many popular controllers for this type of power converter are on the order of a few line cycles, corresponding to bandwidths under 20 Hz. The fast controller demonstrated in this paper can exercise control action at a rate comparable to the switching frequency rather than the line frequency. In order to accomplish this while maintaining unity power factor during steady-state operation, the fast controller employs a ripple-feedback cancellation scheme     

Analysis and design of an unusual unity-power-factor rectifier

A unity-power-factor rectifier that has a parallel-resonant tank tuned to the second harmonic of the line frequency is analyzed for two filter configurations. A unidirectional-power-flow version of the current-sourced rectifier can operate stably open loop or can be current limited down to zero output voltage. The large inductor normally required is an outstanding disadvantage which can be partially overcome using a resonant filter. The design-oriented analysis includes variable-frequency operation and key component ratings. A design procedure is suggested, and complete experimental verification is obtained using a 120 V, 500 W. 60 Hz rectifier switching at 50 kHz     

Sliding-mode control design of a boost-buck switching converter for AC signal generation

This paper presents a sliding-mode control design of a boost-buck switching converter for a voltage step-up dc-ac conversion without the use of any transformer. This approach combines the step-up/step-down conversion ratio capability of the converter with the robustness properties of sliding-mode control. The proposed control strategy is based on the design of two sliding-control laws, one ensuring the control of a full-bridge buck converter for proper dc-ac conversion, and the other one the control a boost converter for guaranteeing a global dc-to-ac voltage step-up ratio. A set of design criteria and a complete design procedure of the sliding-control laws are derived from small-signal analysis and large-signal considerations. The experimental results presented in the paper evidence both the achievement of step-up dc-ac conversion with good accuracy and robustness in front of input voltage and load perturbations, thus validating the proposed approach.     

Sliding-mode control of a nonlinear-input system: application to amagnetically levitated fast-tool servo

Magnetic servo levitation (MSL) is currently being investigated as an alternative to drive fast-tool servo systems that could overcome the range limitations inherent to piezoelectric driven devices while operating over a wide bandwidth. To control such systems, a feedback-linearized controller coupled with a Kalman filter has been previously described. Performance limitations that degrade tracking accuracy suggest the use of a more robust controller design approach, such as sliding-mode control. Current literature on sliding mode deals almost exclusively with systems that are affine on the input, while the magnetic fast-tool servo is nonlinear on it when the control action is current command. This paper discusses a sliding mode-based controller that overcomes the aforementioned problem by defining a modified sliding condition to calculate control action. Experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of achieving long-range fast tracking with magnetically levitated devices by using sliding-mode control     

Current-controlled boost-type single-phase voltage sourceconverters for bidirectional power flow

A consolidation of existing as well as new configurations of voltage source power converters (VSCs) using gate turn-offs (GTOs) or a combination of GTOs and thyristors is considered. These VSCs are single-phase AC-DC current-controlled boost-type power converters with bidirectional power-handling capability. Both two-level and three-level power converters are presented along with a definitive classification. Experimental results are provided on a selective basis, confirming a 360° power angle range of the power converters     

Sensorless variable-speed controller for existing fixed-speed wind power generator with unity-power-factor operation

A variable-speed controller, for an existing 225 kW fixed-speed wind power generator, is presented in this paper. A sensorless direct torque control algorithm-based controller is proposed for the squirrel-cage induction generator. Generator torque reference is derived based on sensorless maximum power tracking mode algorithm, up to the base speed of the generator. A three-phase front-end converter is used here to deliver the generated power to the grid with unity-power-factor operation at all wind speeds. This algorithm is based on direct active and reactive power control. The experimental waveforms from the actual installation site are presented in this paper with a comparison of the existing fixed-speed system. An interpretation of the results is also presented here.     

A 3-kW unity-power-factor rectifier based on a two-cell boostconverter using a new parallel-connection technique

This paper applies a recently introduced parallel connection technique to a unity power-factor preregulator based on a boost power converter incontinuous inductor-current mode. By means of a small extra inductance, two MOSFET pulsewidth modulation (PWM) cells are safely associated in parallel, which allows an increased output power being processed by two half-rated semiconductor devices. The new technique overcomes the existent alternatives, leading to a reliable switched power converter along with simplified layout requirements. This paper also presents a theoretical analysis accompanied by digital simulation cases. Results from a 3 kW prototype, based on the Unitrdae's UC3854 strategy, show that the present technique is very useful in revealing a natural balance among device currents. The laboratory circuit works at a 70 kHz switching frequency and also employs a soft-commutation network. This feature points to a high-efficiency converter and negligible device stresses, which have been verified in the laboratory