Pericle Zanchetta

State of the Art of Finite Control Set Model Predictive Control in Power Electronics

This paper addresses to some of the latest contributions on the application of Finite Control Set Model Predictive Control (FCS-MPC) in Power Electronics. In FCS-MPC , the switching states are directly applied to the power converter, without the need of an additional modulation stage. The paper shows how the use of FCS-MPC provides a simple and efficient computational realization for different control objectives in Power Electronics. Some applications of this technology in drives, active filters, power conditioning, distributed generation and renewable energy are covered. Finally, attention is paid to the discussion of new trends in this technology and to the identification of open questions and future research topics.

Model Predictive Control: A Review of Its Applications in Power Electronics

Model-based predictive control (MPC) for power converters and drives is a control technique that has gained attention in the research community. The main reason for this is that although MPC presents high computational burden, it can easily handle multivariable case and system constraints and nonlinearities in a very intuitive way. Taking advantage of that, MPC has been successfully used for different applications such as an active front end (AFE), power converters connected to resistor inductor RL loads, uninterruptible power supplies, and high-performance drives for induction machines, among others. This article provides a review of the application of MPC in the power electronics area.

Advanced Power Electronic Conversion and Control System for Universal and Flexible Power Management

The future electricity network has to be able to manage energy coming from different grids as well as from renewable energy sources (RES) and other distributed generation (DG) systems. Advanced power electronic converters can provide the means to control power flow and ensure proper and secure operation of future networks. This paper presents analysis, design, and experimental validation of a back-to-back three-phase ac-dc-ac multilevel converter employed for universal and flexible power management (UNIFLEX-PM) of future electrical grids and its advanced control technique. The proposed system has been successfully tested for bidirectional power flow operation with different grid operating conditions such as voltage unbalance, frequency variation, harmonic distortion, and faults due to short circuits.

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.

Real-Time Estimation of Fundamental Frequency and Harmonics for Active Shunt Power Filters in Aircraft Electrical Systems

A novel algorithm for fundamental frequency and harmonic components detection is presented in this paper. The technique is based on a real-time implementation of discrete Fourier transform, and it allows fast and accurate estimation of fundamental frequency and harmonics of a distorted signal with variable fundamental frequency. It is suitable for active shunt filter applications, when fast and accurate tracking of the reference signal is required to achieve a good control performance. The main application for the algorithm is aircraft ac power systems, where the fundamental frequency can be either fixed on 400 Hz and its actual value fluctuates around the nominal value, or variable in the range 360-900 Hz. Hence, a real-time estimation of fundamental frequency is essential for active filter control. The proposed algorithm has been at first implemented in Matlab/Simulink for computer simulation, and it has been compared with a Phase Locked Loop (PLL) algorithm for frequency detection and the synchronous dq reference method for harmonic detection. Experimental tests have been carried out in order to validate the simulation results. The distorted current absorbed by a nonlinear load is analyzed and processed by means of a digital implementation of the algorithm running on the active shunt power filter control DSP, in order to calculate the active filter compensating current.

Predictive Current Control for Multilevel Active Rectifiers With Reduced Switching Frequency

In this paper, a new low-frequency predictive current control is proposed for a single-phase cascaded H-bridge multilevel rectifier. The control method has been fully investigated with theoretical analysis, simulation, and experiments on a laboratory prototype with five series-connected H-bridges. However, the analysis and technique are valid for any general level structure. The simulations and experimental results presented demonstrate the excellent performance of the predictive control in terms of AC current waveform quality, power factor, and reduced switching frequency of each bridge, in comparison to traditional control schemes.

A technique for power supply harmonic impedance estimation using a controlled voltage disturbance

A method for power system impedance estimation is presented. The method employs a power converter to inject a voltage transient onto the supply system. As the technique employs controlled power electronic devices it may be used as a stand alone piece of a portable measurement equipment, or it may be embedded into the functions of an active shunt filter for improved harmonic control. The impedance is estimated through correlation of the measured voltage and current transients. Simulations and experimental results demonstrate the measurement technique is highly accurate and effective.

Modulated Model Predictive Control for a Seven-Level Cascaded H-Bridge Back-to-Back Converter

Multilevel converters are known to have many advantages for electricity network applications. In particular, cascaded H-bridge converters are attractive because of their inherent modularity and scalability. Predictive control for power converters is advantageous as a result of its applicability to discrete system and fast response. In this paper, a novel control technique, named modulated model predictive control, is introduced with the aim to increase the performance of model predictive control. The proposed controller addresses a modulation scheme as part of the minimization process. The proposed control technique is described in detail, validated through simulation and experimental testing, and compared with dead-beat and traditional model predictive control. The results show the increased performance of the modulated model predictive control with respect to the classic finite control set model predictive control in terms of current waveform total harmonic distortion (THD). Moreover, the proposed controller allows a multi-objective control, with respect to dead-beat control that does not present this capability.

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.

Implementation of a hybrid AC/AC direct power converter with unity voltage transfer ratio

A novel hybrid approach for direct power conversion (DPC) based on two-stage matrix converter (2-stage MC) topology is proposed, which has practically proven advantages of improved voltage transfer ratio and higher robustness against supply voltage unbalances over the conventional matrix converters (CMC). The hybrid approach also has inherent advantages of the CMC such as: controllable supply power factor, sinusoidal supply currents and no bulky energy storage elements which reduce the life time of the converter. The proposed converter can theoretically have more than unity voltage transfer ratios; even in the case the supply voltage is highly unbalanced. Important aspects of design and implementation of the new hybrid direct power converter (HDPC) are presented with theoretical analysis and simulations. Experimental waveforms using a laboratory prototype is presented to confirm the viability of the proposed idea in practice