Power spectra of a PWM inverter with randomized pulse position

Random pulse width modulation in static power converters results in the partial transfer of power from the discrete spectrum of the output voltage to the continuous spectrum, with advantageous effects on the operation of the supplied electromechanical systems. In this paper, a random PWM technique with randomized pulse position for three-phase voltage-controlled inverters is analyzed. Closed-form equations for the discrete and continuous power spectra of the line-to-line and line-to-neutral voltages of the inverter have been derived and confirmed by experiments. Presented theory opens the way to numerical optimization of the voltage spectra of randomly modulated inverters     

“Dead-band” PWM switching patterns

Reference/modulating waveform continuity is not a necessary condition for the implementation of switching patterns for three-phase pulse-width modulated (PWM) converters if the load or the source are Y-connected. This is based on the fact that the converter phase-voltages do not need to be sinusoidal and switching pattern discontinuities-“dead-bands”-do not degrade the quality of output/input voltage/current waveforms by introducing low-order harmonics if certain parameters are optimized. This paper discusses general characteristics of various discontinuous switching patterns for PWM converters and shows that they can yield better performance than their continuous counterparts in some operating regions. Performance is defined as harmonic distortion normalized with respect to effective switching frequency and serves as a measure of comparison with continuous PWM techniques, The applications considered include general purpose and application specific solid-state power supplies using voltage source inverters and PWM rectifiers. Theoretical considerations are verified on an experimental unit     

Output voltage distortion characterization in multilevel PWM converters

One of the main features to consider in the development of new pulsewidth modulations (PWM) for multilevel converters is the high-frequency output-voltage distortion. In this letter, a novel per-switching-cycle figure, the harmonic distortion of order n for switching cycle k(HD/sub n,k/), is introduced to quantitatively characterize the output three-phase voltage harmonic distortion of multilevel converters around all the integer multiples of the switching frequency. This figure allows for the decomposing of the modulation design problem within an output voltage fundamental cycle into an independent set of smaller problems for every switching cycle. The expression of HD/sub n,k/ as a function of the switching states' duty-ratio is presented for the three-level three-phase neutral-point-clamped voltage source inverter and it can be easily obtained for any other multilevel converter. From the evaluation of HD/sub n,k/ over 1/6th of the output-voltage fundamental-period the value of HD/sub n/ is obtained, providing a measure of the output voltage distortion in a fundamental period. This information is obtained at a lower computational cost than conventional fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis. The accuracy of the HD/sub n/ distortion predictions is verified by comparing it to FFT-based results obtained from simulation and experiments. The expression to compute the total harmonic distortion (THD) as a function of HD/sub n/ is also derived.     

PSPICE simulation of three-phase inverters by means of switchingfunctions

Static power converters can be analyzed by means of widely available circuit simulation software packages such as PSPICE. However, they are usually modeled as a set of real switches, which results in long execution times and possible convergence problems in the case of complex circuits. This paper proposes macromodels to simulate three-phase power converters on such packages. The proposed macromodels are based on converter switching functions rather than actual circuit configuration, and they are suited for steady state and large signal transient analysis at system level. In this approach, voltage source inverters (VSI), current source inverters (CSI), and controlled rectifiers (CR) are simulated as multiport networks avoiding the physical nonlinear micromodels of the power switches. Computer memory and the run-times required for the simulation are thereby minimized. Complete examples of VSI, CSI and CR, with different PWM techniques, are given with specific reference to the PSPICE software to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed models     

Advanced Control and Analysis of Cascaded Multilevel Converters Based on P-Q Compensation

This paper introduces new controls for the cascaded multilevel power converter. This converter is also sometimes referred to as a ldquohybrid converterrdquo since it splits high-voltage/low-frequency and low-voltage/pulsewidth-modulation (PWM)-frequency power production between ldquobulkrdquo and ldquoconditioningrdquo converters respectively. Cascaded multilevel converters achieve higher power quality with a given switch count when compared to traditional multilevel converters. This is a particularly favorable option for high power and high performance applications such as naval ship propulsion. This paper first presents a new control method for the topology using three-level bulk and conditioning inverters connected in series through a three-phase load. This control avoids PWM frequency switching in the bulk inverter. The conditioning inverter uses a capacitor source and its control is based on compensating the real and reactive (P-Q) power difference between the bulk inverter and the load. The new control explicitly commands power into the conditioning inverter so that its capacitor voltage remains constant. A unique space vector analysis of hybrid converter modulation is introduced to quantitatively determine operating limitations. The conclusion is then generalized for all types of controls of the hybrid multilevel converters (involving three-level converter cells). The proposed control methods and analytical conclusions are verified by simulation and laboratory measurements.     

Graphical phasor analysis of three-phase PWM converters

A graphical steady-state analysis technique based on the complex 0-sequence, forward-rotating, and backward-rotating (0fb) phasors is described for balanced three-phase PWM inverters, rectifiers and cycloconverters. The technique avoids the cumbersome algebra of the 0fb transformation, and the coupling between the subcircuits resulting from the real direct-axis/quadrature-axis (dq) transformation. Using symmetric and de-coupled subcircuits that are time-invariant under steady state, the graphical method makes the analysis of three-phase converters straightforward and insightful. In the paper, time-invariant transient models with respect to an arbitrary reference node are first derived for all three-phase converter components. Application of the component models to steady-state analysis is demonstrated for the buck-boost inverter. The steady-state equivalent circuits for the popular buck and boost inverters, rectifiers, and cycloconverters are given along with the steady-state values for their capacitor voltages and inductor currents     

Efficiency Analysis of PWM Inverter Fed Three-Phase and Dual Three-Phase High Frequency Induction Machines for Low/Medium Power Applications

A performance analysis of three-phase and dual three-phase (DTP) induction pulsewidth modulation (PWM) inverter-fed motor drives is conducted in this paper. The focus is on the efficiency performance of high-frequency DTP machines compared to their three-phase counterparts in low/medium power applications. For this purpose, a DTP machine, having two sets of stator three-phase windings spatially shifted by 30 electrical degrees (asymmetrical six-phase winding configuration), was tested for both six-phase and three-phase winding configurations under the same magnetic conditions. Simulation and experimental results are presented to evaluate the efficiency performance of three-phase and dual-three induction motor drives employing PWM voltage source inverters.     

A new multilevel PWM method: a theoretical analysis

Generalization of the pulsewidth modulation (PWM) subharmonic method to control single-phase or three-phase multilevel voltage source inverters (VSI) is considered. An analytical expression of the spectral components of the output waveforms covering all the operating conditions is derived. The analysis is based on an extension of Bennet's method. The improvements in harmonic spectrum are pointed out, and several examples are presented, which prove the validity of the multilevel modulation     

Lossless passive soft-switching methods for inverters andamplifiers

This paper proposes lossless passive soft-switching methods for inverters developed from a synthesis procedure applicable to all pulsewidth modulation (PWM) converters. The lossless passive soft-switching converter properties and synthesis procedure are derived for inverters. Promising full-bridge and half-bridge soft-switching inverter examples are shown from the synthesis results. These include a new soft turn-on full bridge that contains only six components and a new soft turn-on and turn-off half bridge that contains 12 components. The voltage stress across the active switches can be easily maintained below 125% of V_bus. Additionally, no transformers are used for energy recovery, eliminating their associated diode stress and leakage inductance problems. The theoretical and experimental waveforms and analysis are given     

Nonlinear modeling of the PWM switch

The nonlinearity due to the switching action in pulse-width-modulated (PWM) DC-to-DC converters, DC-to-AC inverters, or amplifiers and input-current-shaping AC-to-DC converters can often conveniently be confined to three-terminal structure referred to as the PWM switch. The PWM switch represents a static nonlinearity for which circuit models can easily be derived for frequencies harmonically related to the frequency of perturbation. Converter analysis can thus be approached in a way analogous to ordinary transistor circuit analysis whereby the nonlinear three-terminal device is replaced by its circuit model. A first-order approximation of the model results in the small-signal model     

Two-phase modulation technique for three-level inverter-fed AC drives

Two-phase dipolar and unipolar modulation techniques for three-level three-phase inverters are suggested and compared with conventional three-phase pulsewidth modulation (PWM) techniques. Two-phase PWMs with 60/spl deg/ (0/spl deg/ and /spl plusmn/30/spl deg/ shift) and 120/spl deg/ cycles are investigated from the point of view of harmonic losses, motor voltage spectra, and torque pulsations. It is shown that two-phase dipolar PWMs have no advantages in comparison with three-phase PWMs, while two-phase unipolar PWMs-in contrast with three-phase PWMs-considerably decrease the motor harmonic losses and torque pulsations in the whole motor voltage region. At the same time, the inverter neutral point control requires reversing to three-phase PWM technique for the duration of the control.     

A Simulation Benchmark for Selection of the PWM Algorithms for Three-Phase Interleaved Converters

A solution for high current applications consists of paralleling power stages of lower power. Given the complexity of these systems, a comprehensive computer-based analysis is required before physical implementation. This paper presents a simulation benchmark for selection of the pulsewidth modulation (PWM) algorithms used to control interleaved three-and four-wire three-phase power inverters. The analysis considers the resulting phase current harmonics, dc link current harmonics, neutral point voltage, and inter converter circulation currents. Analytical aspects of different current control structures used within interleaved power electronics systems and effects of selecting various PWM algorithms are revealed for both the three-wire and the four-wire structure. Finally, analysis of the DSP implementation for different practical solutions is shown.     

Concise modulation strategies for four-leg voltage source inverters

The continuous, discontinuous pulse-width modulation (PWM) schemes and a novel space vector modulation methodology are proposed in this paper for four-leg dc-ac inverters. Using a space vector definition that includes the zero sequence voltage component and partitioning the feasible sixteen modes into two separate sets - one set having zero sequence voltages with positive magnitudes and the other set with negative magnitudes - the novel space vector implementation technique is determined as also the discontinuous carrier based PWM scheme. For the continuous carrier based PWM scheme, the indeterminate defining output voltage equations expressed in terms of the existence functions of the switching devices are solved using an optimization technique. The modulation schemes determined are shown by experimental results to synthesis any desirable balanced or unbalanced three-phase voltage sets when operating in the linear modulation region.     

Adaptive Harmonic Control in PWM Inverters with Fluctuating Input Voltage

New techniques of harmonic reduction and voltage regulation in PWM inverters with fluctuating input voltage are described. A novel selective harmonic reduction technique is also developed for three-phase full-bridge inverters to reduce the number of switchings per output cycle. For keeping the fundamental load voltage at the present value and suppressing the generation of low-order harmonics when the input voltage fluctuates, the conventional sinusoidal reference of the triangulation method is replaced by a quasi-sinewave whose magnitude varies inversely with the input voltage to keep the product of the reference voltage and the input voltage sinusoidal. Harmonic analysis of the W-type modulation and M-type modulation is given to show that the load voltage spectra of the output waveforms generated with the proposed methods are insensitive to the source voltage fluctuation and load variation. Experimental results confirm the theoretical analysis.     

A Systematic Approach to Synthesizing Multi-Input DC–DC Converters

The objective of this paper is to propose a general approach for developing multi-input converters (MICs). The derived MICs can deliver power from all of the input sources to the load either individually or simultaneously. By analyzing the topologies of the six basic pulsewidth modulation (PWM) converters, the method for synthesizing an MIC is inspired by adding an extra pulsating voltage or current source to a PWM converter with appropriate connection. As a result, the pulsating voltage source cells (PVSCs) and the pulsating current source cells (PCSCs) are proposed for deriving MICs. According to the presented synthesizing rules, two families of MICs, including quasi-MICs and duplicated MICs, are generated by introducing the PVSCs and the PCSCs into the six basic PWM converters.      

Novel reduced-order small-signal model of a three-phase PWMrectifier and its application in control design and system analysis

A reduced-order (RO) small-signal model of three-phase pulse-width-modulation (PWM) rectifiers is proposed. By combining the PWM switch model and equivalent multimodule model techniques in DC-DC converters, a three-phase rectifier can be modeled as a DC-DC converter with equivalent power capability and small-signal characteristics. This model reduces the system order to two and greatly simplifies the control design and system analysis of three-phase converters. In this paper, the proposed model is also used for control design and for system interaction analysis on the three-phase interface of a boost rectifier. The RO model is verified with the d-q model, switching-model simulation, and experimental results     

Harmonics in voltage-source PWM inverters

The performance of an induction motor fed by PWM inverters is mainly determined by the harmonic contents of the output voltage. This paper presents a method of numerically calculating the harmonics in the output voltage waveform. Equal pulse-width modulation and siunsoidal PWM are studied. Analysis has been done for single-phase and three-phase bridge inverters. A systematic procedure is given for computing the harmonics and the results are. tabulated.     

Analysis and design of a series voltage compensator for three-phaseunbalanced sources

Voltage unbalance typically present in three-phase AC supply systems adversely affects power system components, static converters, drive systems, electric machines, etc., connected to the system. A method to eliminate this unbalance by means of a voltage compensator connected in series with the supply through transformers is described. The technique is based on extracting the negative sequence voltage component of the supply and canceling it in order to obtain balanced voltages. The positive sequence component is then adjusted to achieve voltage regulation. It is shown that the compensation can be achieved with low kilovolt-ampere inverters and that harmonic injection is reduced to a minimum. The authors include implementation principles, design equations, and a design example. Simulated and experimental results confirm the theoretical concept and feasibility of the proposed system     

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