Lee Empringham

Matrix converters: a technology review

The matrix converter is an array of controlled semiconductor switches that connects directly the three-phase source to the three-phase load. This converter has several attractive features that have been investigated in the last two decades. In the last few years, an increase in research work has been observed, bringing this topology closer to the industrial application. This paper presents the state-of-the-art view in the development of this converter, starting with a brief historical review. An important part of the paper is dedicated to a discussion of the most important modulation and control strategies developed recently. Special attention is given to present modern methods developed to solve the commutation problem. Some new arrays of power bidirectional switches integrated in a single module are also presented. Finally, this paper includes some practical issues related to the practical application of this technology, like overvoltage protection, use of filters and ride-through capability.

Technological Issues and Industrial Application of Matrix Converters: A Review

This paper presents a review of the current state of the art in terms of practical matrix converter technologies. Present solutions to the numerous technological issues and challenges faced when implementing viable matrix converters are discussed. The reported use of the matrix converters in different applications is also presented together with a review of current industrial applications.

A 150 kVA vector controlled matrix converter induction motor drive

This paper describes the design, construction, and testing of a 150-kVA closed-loop vector-controlled matrix converter induction motor drive. The primary objective of this research effort is to evaluate the utility of the matrix converter in electric vehicle applications, primarily for motor control. A prototype converter has been built using 600-A 1400-V insulated gate bipolar transistors. Closed-loop vector control has been implemented and tested using a 150-hp induction motor load. This paper presents the design of this converter along with practical test results, representing the largest matrix converter built to date.

Multiphase Power Converter Drive for Fault-Tolerant Machine Development in Aerospace Applications

This paper describes an experimental tool to evaluate and support the development of fault-tolerant machines designed for aerospace motor drives. Aerospace applications involve essentially safety-critical systems which should be able to overcome hardware or software faults and therefore need to be fault tolerant. A way of achieving this is to introduce variable degrees of redundancy into the system by duplicating one or all of the operations within the system itself. Looking at motor drives, multiphase machines, such as multiphase brushless dc machines, are considered to be good candidates in the design of fault-tolerant aerospace motor drives. This paper introduces a multiphase two-level inverter using a flexible and reliable field-programmable gate-array/digital-signal-processor controller for data acquisition, motor control, and fault monitoring to study the fault tolerance of such systems.

Intelligent commutation of matrix converter bi-directional switch cells using novel gate drive techniques

This paper deals with the problem of snubberless commutation in matrix converters. A novel method employs current detection within intelligent gate drive circuits for each bidirectional cell which communicate with the gate drives of other cells. The problems with other methods at low currents are overcome. Experimental results verifying the method are presented.

Control and Implementation of a Matrix-Converter-Based AC Ground Power-Supply Unit for Aircraft Servicing

This paper deals with the design, control, and implementation of a three-phase ground power-supply unit for aircraft servicing. Instead of a classical back-to-back converter configuration, a three-phase direct ac-ac (matrix) converter has been used as the power conditioning core of the power supply, working in conjunction with input and output LC filters. An optimized control system in the ABC frame employing a repetitive controller has been successfully implemented, taking into account both the transient and steady-state performance targets together with the system effectiveness under extreme unbalanced conditions. Extensive experimental tests on a 7.5-kVA prototype prove the efficiency of the designed system in meeting the high demanding civil and military international standards requirements.

Large-Signal Model for the Stability Analysis of Matrix Converters

The interest in using the matrix converter (MC) for motor drive applications and energy conversion systems is steadily increasing due to its main advantage of performing a direct coupling between two three-phase alternating current sources without the need of an intermediate direct current bus. This characteristic, together with the presence of inductance-capacitance input filters and the feedforward compensation of the input voltage variations, might yield unstable operation in electrical drives. In this paper, a theoretical analysis of MCs based on a large-signal model is presented with the aim to show which parameters may affect the stability and to explain the reason of this phenomenon. The theoretical analysis is supported by several experimental tests carried out on an MC prototype

Control Design of a Three-Phase Matrix-Converter-Based AC–AC Mobile Utility Power Supply

This paper describes the control analysis and design of an ac-to-ac three-phase mobile utility power supply using a matrix converter capable of high-quality 50-, 60-, and 400-Hz output voltage and reduced input harmonic distortion. Instead of the traditional structure employing a diode bridge rectifier, a dc link and a pulsewidth-modulated inverter, a three-phase-to-three-phase direct ac-ac (matrix) converter has been used as the power-conditioning core of the system, working in conjunction with input and output LC low-pass filters. An optimizing control design method using a genetic algorithm approach has been used, which yields designs to minimize a cost function, taking into account transient and steady-state output voltage performance targets, together with robustness to different operative conditions and system parameters drift. Simulation and experimental tests have demonstrated that the system meets the power-quality requirements of the application.

A vector controlled MCT matrix converter induction motor drive with minimized commutation times and enhanced waveform quality

This paper describes the design, construction and testing of a 10 kVA three-phase to three-phase matrix converter induction motor drive. The converter has been built using discrete 65 Amp MOS controlled thyristors (MCTs). The commutation time has been minimized to avoid any unnecessary waveform distortion, particularly at low demanded output voltages. This minimization gives the Matrix Converter superior waveform quality in comparison to a conventional inverter and maximizes the available converter output voltage before over-modulation is required. The converter is vector controlled and has been tested using a 12 HP induction motor. Full results of these tests are presented.

A Comparative Assessment of Model Predictive Current Control and Space Vector Modulation in a Direct Matrix Converter

Matrix converters (MCs) are a very attractive alternative to conventional back-to-back converters with dc links. In this paper, a performance comparison between the well-established space vector modulation (SVM) technique and model predictive control (MPC) is presented for the current regulation in a direct MC. Both methods are analyzed and contrasted through simulation and experimental results. In order to establish their strengths and weaknesses, the assessment is made by measuring and comparing output and input currents and voltages with the same voltage source and load current conditions. Our results show that MPC is simpler than SVM from a conceptual point of view and provides better source current behavior, particularly with a distorted source voltage.