Continuous and discrete variable-structure controls for parallel three-phase boost rectifier

We describe three nonlinear control schemes for a parallel three-phase boost rectifier consisting of two modules. The basic idea, however, can be extended to a system with N modules. All of the control schemes are developed in a synchronous frame. Moreover, each of the closed-loop power-converter modules operates asynchronously without any communication with the other module. Based on the dynamical equations of the parallel converter, we find that independent control of both of the modules on the DQ axes is not necessary and possible. Consequently, we develop control schemes that stabilize the dq axes and limit the zero-axis disturbance by preventing the flow of the pure zero-sequence current. One of the control schemes is developed purely in the discrete domain. It combines the space-vector modulation scheme with a variable-structure control, thereby keeping the switching frequency constant and achieving satisfactory dynamic performance. The performances of the other control schemes are also satisfactory.     

Current control with fast transient for three-phase AC/DC boost converters

This letter introduces a new synchronous reference frame hysteresis control of a three-phase ac/dc boost converter that is demonstrated to have excellent transient behavior when compared with previous fast methods based on regular proportional plus integral control with cross-coupling terms. Finally, the control software program and a comparison of results are shown.     

Evaluation of modulation schemes for three-phase to three-phase matrix converters

This paper presents a method for evaluating different modulation schemes employed with three-phase to three-phase matrix converters. The evaluation method addresses three important modulator characteristics: the output waveform quality, the input waveform quality and the switching losses associated with the modulation schemes. The method is used to evaluate four different modulation strategies, all based on the direct space-vector modulation approach. Further, regarding the switching losses, the paper proposes a new space-vector approach by which the switching losses can be reduced by 15%-35%, depending on the output load angle. This new modulation approach is applicable whenever the output voltage reference is below half the input voltage and the output voltage quality is then superior to that of the conventional space vector modulation scheme. The functionality of the new modulation scheme is validated by both simulations and experimental results and compared to waveforms obtained by using exiting space vector modulation schemes. The output voltage of the proposed scheme turns out to be comparable to the best of the conventional schemes while the input current is more distorted.     

A novel active snubber for high-power boost converters

A technique which improves the performance of the boost converter by reducing the reverse-recovery-related losses in the boost switch and rectifier with an active snubber that is implemented with a minimum number of components is presented. This minimum-component-count snubber consists of a snubber inductor, an auxiliary switch, and a rectifier. The proposed technique reduces the reverse-recovery-related losses by controlling the turn-off di/dt rate of the rectifier current with the snubber inductor connected in series with the boost switch and rectifier. The voltage and current stresses of the components in the proposed active-snubber boost converter are similar to those in its conventional “hard-switched” counterpart     

Simple direct power control of three-phase PWM rectifier using space-vector modulation (DPC-SVM)

This paper proposes a novel and simple direct power control of three-phase pulsewidth-modulated (PWM) rectifiers with constant switching frequency using space-vector modulation (DPC-SVM). The active and reactive powers are used as the pulse width modulated (PWM) control variables instead of the three-phase line currents being used. Moreover, line voltage sensors are replaced by a virtual flux estimator. The theoretical principle of this method is discussed. The steady-state and dynamic results of DPC-SVM that illustrate the operation and performance of the proposed system are presented. It is shown that DPC-SVM exhibits several features, such as a simple algorithm, good dynamic response, constant switching frequency, and particularly it provides sinusoidal line current when supply voltage is not ideal. Results have proven excellent performance and verify the validity of the proposed system.     

FPGA realization of space-vector PWM control IC for three-phase PWMinverters

This paper presents a new circuit realization of the space-vector pulse-width modulation (SVPWM) strategy. An SVPWM control integrated circuit (IC) has been developed using state of-the-art field-programmable gate array (FPGA) technology. The proposed SVPWM control scheme can be realized using only a single FPGA (XC4010) from Xilinx, Inc. The output fundamental frequency can be adjusted from 0.094 to 1500 Hz. The pulse-width modulation (PWM) switching frequency can be set from 381 Hz to 48.84 kHz. The delay time for the PWM gating signals is adjustable. This SVPWM IC can also be included in the digital current control loop for stator current regulation. The designed SVPWM IC can be incorporated with a digital signal processor (DSP) to provide a simple and effective solution for high-performance AC drives. Simulation and experimental results are given to verify the implemented SVPWM control IC     

A new optimized space-vector modulation strategy for acomponent-minimized voltage source inverter

This paper presents a new space-vector modulation strategy suitable for a low-cost pulse-width-modulation (PWM) voltage-source (VS) inverter employing only four switches, four diodes, and a split-capacitor bank in the DC link. The work is motivated by the need for an efficient and flexible modulation method, which is optimized with respect to minimum machine-torque ripple. The modulation strategy is named space-vector modulation for four-switch inverter (SVMFSI), and it is realized by planning the switching patterns between four active voltage vectors on the basis of a desired flux trajectory for the stator-flux vector in the AC machine. The strategy is implemented in a single 8-bit microcontroller as a double-sided modulation strategy. Simulations of the machine-torque ripple are performed at a switching frequency of 4 kHz and indicate a torque ripple of 14% at nominal load. Finally, selected results are verified experimentally on a 1.5-kVA prototype B4 inverter. The test results indicate high-quality output-voltage spectra with no low-order voltage harmonics and a harmonic-loss factor (HLF) of 1.12% at unity modulation index     

A novel current-control method for three-phase PWM AC/DCvoltage-source converters

This paper presents a novel current-control-based control strategy, obtained in stationary frame, for a three-phase pulsewidth-modulated AC/DC voltage-source converter. In this control strategy, an error voltage is produced from the comparison of the output DC voltage with a DC reference voltage. This error voltage is then utilized by a proportional plus integral controller to generate a command signal for the input line current amplitude and is automatically controlled to the desired value. Therefore, there is no need to measure the input line currents. Stability analysis of the closed-loop system is made, and the stability region for proportional and integral gains which makes the operating point stable is also found. The resulting closed-loop system not only exhibits good transient response, but also provides sinusoidal line currents and unity power factor, both in the rectifying and regenerating modes. Experimental results are presented and compared with simulations     

Power-efficient gate control of synchronous boost converters with high output voltage

A half output voltage swing gate driving scheme is presented for high voltage single chip DC/DC converters. In the proposed scheme the energy for the PMOS gate drive is reused for the NMOS gate drive, and switching loss is reduced. A high speed and area-efficient high voltage level shifter is also realised. A prototype is implemented using a 0.5 mum 40 V power BiCMOS process     

A novel low quiescent current PFM method with independent threshold for buck switching converters

Efficiency is the key parameter of switching converters. Pulse frequency modulation (PFM) is often used to reduce the dynamic loss at the light load condition, while Pulse width modulation (PWM) is used in heavy load case. The efficiency at the heavy load is usually process dependent, however there are many circuits design considerations for the efficiency and other electrical performances improvement in the light load case. This paper will propose a method which can operate in the PWM in heavy load condition and automatically change to the PFM in light load condition with accurate PFM current threshold independent to input voltage, output voltage, switching frequency and inductor value. The adaptive accurate zero cross comparator (AAZCC) for DCM (discontinuous mode) and the method to achieve very low quiescent current consumption in the skip period are also introduced, those two are the points to further improve the efficiency in light or medium load conditions. A prototype has been designed with a 0.18 μm CMOS process.     

Robust control of parallel DC-DC buck converters by combiningintegral-variable-structure and multiple-sliding-surface control schemes

We develop a robust controller for parallel DC-DC buck converters by combining the concepts of integral-variable-structure and multiple-sliding-surface control. The advantages of the scheme are its simplicity in design, good dynamic response, robustness, ability to nullify the bus-voltage error and the error between the load currents of the converter modules under steady-state conditions, and ability to reduce the impact of very high-frequency dynamics due to parasitics on the closed-loop system. We describe a method for determining the region of existence and stability of the sliding manifolds for such parallel converters. The results show good steady-state and dynamic responses     

Unified constant-frequency integration control of three-phase standard bridge boost rectifiers with power-factor correction

In this paper, a three-phase six-switch standard boost rectifier with unity-power-factor correction is investigated. A general equation is derived that relates the input phase voltages, output DC voltage, and duty ratios of the switches in continuous conduction mode. Based on one of the solutions and using one-cycle control, a unified constant-frequency integration controller for PFC is proposed. For the standard bridge boost rectifier, a unity power factor and low total harmonic distortion can be realized in all three phases with a simple circuit that is composed of one integrator with reset along with several flips-flops, comparators, and some logic and linear components. It does not require multipliers and three-phase voltage sensors, which are required in many other control approaches. In addition, it employs constant-switching-frequency modulation that is desirable for industrial applications. The proposed control approach is simple and reliable. All findings are supported by experiments.     

A general three-phase PFC controller for rectifiers with a parallel-connected dual boost topology

A general constant-frequency power-factor-correction (PFC) controller is proposed for three-phase rectifiers with parallel-connected dual-boost topologies. This paper shows that unity power factor and low current distortion in all three phases can be realized by one-cycle control using one integrator with reset along with a few near and logic components. This new extension of one-cycle control provides the core PFC function to the dual-boost topologies. It does not require multipliers, as used in most other control approaches to scale the current reference according to the output power level. In each 60/spl deg/ of AC line cycle, only two switches are switched at high frequency; therefore the switching losses are significantly reduced. All switches are switched at low current, which results in reduced current ratings. This control method is simple and general. It is applicable to three-phase rectifiers that can be decoupled into parallel-connected dual-boost topologies by slight modification of the logic circuit. This control method is verified by experimental results. The proposed controller is suitable to be integrated into a three-phase PFC control chip.     

A DSP-based implementation of a new nonlinear control for a three-phase neutral point clamped boost rectifier prototype

This work presents the design and implementation of a nonlinear control strategy for a three-phase three-level neutral-point-clamped boost rectifier. The adopted control consists of nonlinear feedback linearization technique. The nonlinear state-space model of the rectifier was obtained in the dq0 reference frame. The input/output feedback linearization is then applied and the linearizing control law is derived. Therefore, the resulting model is linearized and decoupled in three independent subsystems. Afterwards, the stabilizing controllers are designed based on linear techniques to control line currents, output, and neutral point voltages. The control law is designed using Simulink/Matlab and applied to the converter via a 1.8-kHz pulsewidth modulator (PWM). Both control law and PWM signals are executed in real time using the DS1104 DSP of dSPACE. A 1.2 kW laboratory prototype is built for validation purposes. The proposed control law robustness is validated for diverse severe load and system parameter variations. It shows robust performance in terms of high power factor, low total harmonic distortion and output voltage ripples, small overshoot, and short settling time.     

A novel control method for three-phase PWM rectifiers using asingle current sensor

This paper proposes a control method for three-phase voltage-source PWM rectifiers using only a single current sensor in the DC-link. A PWM modulation strategy for reconstructing three phase currents from the DC-link current is given. When 3φ input currents cannot be reconstructed, a method for modifying the switching state of the PWM rectifier and a method for the predictive state observer is proposed. Compensation of the 2 sampling delays is also included, and this method is combined with all of the experiments. Performance differences between the two methods in a typical voltage source PWM rectifier are investigated experimentally     

A DSP-based implementation of a nonlinear model reference adaptive control for a three-phase three-level NPC boost rectifier prototype

In this paper, the design and the implementation of a model reference adaptive control (MRAC) applied to a three-phase three-level neutral-point-clamped (NPC) boost rectifier are presented. This control strategy is developed with a view to regulate dc output and neutral point voltages and to reduce the influence of parameter variations while maintaining unity power factor. A nonlinear multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) state space model of the rectifier is then developed in dq0 reference frame. The proposed controller is based on the use of a feedback linearization technique followed by a robust MRAC scheme allowing the design of a suitable controller applied to the plant. The control law is designed in Simulink/Matlab and applied to the converter via a 1920-Hz pulse width modulator both executed in real time using the DS1104 DSP of dSPACE. A 1.25 kW laboratory prototype is developed for validation. The experimental results are given for different operating conditions: nominal power operation, balanced and unbalanced dc load steps, boost inductor variation, and reactive power control. The proposed control law performs perfectly in a wide operation range giving low output voltage ripple, low line-current THD, a small overshoot and a fast settling time under system parameters variation.     

A novel digital multi-mode control strategy with PSM for primary-side flyback converter

This article described a novel digital multi-mode control strategy for primary-side controlled flyback converter to improve the efficiency within full-load range. The working modes of different load ranges were chosen according to the main power losses analysis and other constraint. Especially, a novel pulse skip mode control method which could reduce the number of actual switching cycles was proposed to improve the light load efficiency. A prototype with field-programmable gate array control has been made to verify the proposed digital multi-mode control strategy.     

A novel strategy for microcomputer-based control of a single-phaseoutput cycloconverter

A novel control algorithm using a time process chart that is capable of accurate control of cycloconverters is developed. This algorithm is obtained by making a straight-line approximation in a newly contrived phase plane. In spite of its rather simple procedures, this algorithm is capable of highly accurate control that is comparable to that of the conventional analog scheme. A six-pulse noncirculating current-type cycloconverter is controlled with a small-scale interface and a high-speed control program. Experimental results confirm the validity and usefulness of the proposed method. As far as the processing time is concerned, this method could be used to control a system with a larger pulse number, such as a 12 or 24-pulse system     

Modeling the closed-current loop of PWM boost DC-DC converters operating in CCM with peak current-mode control

This paper derives the transfer function from error voltage to duty cycle, which captures the quasi-digital behavior of the closed-current loop for pulsewidth modulated (PWM) dc-dc converters operating in continuous-conduction mode (CCM) using peak current-mode (PCM) control, the current-loop gain, the transfer function from control voltage to duty cycle (closed-current loop transfer function), and presents experimental verification. The sample-and-hold effect, or quasi-digital (discrete) behavior in the current loop with constant-frequency PCM in PWM dc-dc converters is described in a manner consistent with the physical behavior of the circuit. Using control theory, a transfer function from the error voltage to the duty cycle that captures the quasi-digital behavior is derived. This transfer function has a pole that can be in either the left-half plane or right-half plane, and captures the sample-and-hold effect accurately, enabling the characterization of the current-loop gain and closed-current loop for PWM dc-dc converters with PCM. The theoretical and experimental response results were in excellent agreement, confirming the validity of the transfer functions derived. The closed-current loop characterization can be used for the design of a controller for the outer voltage loop.