V. Castiglia

Experimental analysis with FPGA controller-based of MC PWM techniques for three-phase five level cascaded H-bridge for PV applications

The FPGA represents a valid solution for the design of control systems for inverters adopted in the field of PV systems because of their high flexibility of use. This paper presents an experimental analysis of the MC SPWM techniques for a three-phase, five-level, cascaded H-Bridge inverter with FPGA controller-based. Several control algorithms are implemented by means of the VHDL programming language and the output voltage waveforms obtained from the main PWM techniques are compared in terms of THD%. Simulation and experimental results are analysed, compared and discussed.

Overview and experimental analysis of MC SPWM techniques for single-phase five level cascaded H-bridge FPGA controller-based

This paper presents an overview and experimental analysis of the MC SPWM techniques for single-phase cascaded H-bridge inverter. The multilevel power converters are an alternative to traditional converters known as “three-level converters”. The voltage waveforms and the related frequency spectra, which have been obtained by simulation analysis in Matlab-Simulink environment, are here reported for all the proposed modulation techniques. The simulation results have been experimentally validated through means of a DC/AC, five-level, single-phase converter prototype with an appropriate test bench.

Experimental Investigation on Magnetic Field Effects of IPT for Electric Bikes

Abstract The wireless power transmission (WPT) is increasingly representing a promising technology and an innovative solution, especially for the electric vehicles (EVs) battery charging. The inductive power transfer (IPT) is the standard technology of wireless charging: the energy transfer occurs between two magnetically coupled coils. The IPT-based battery charging is especially convenient for E-bikes and the physiological effects related to the generated magnetic fields should be estimated. In this context, this work presents a 200 W prototype of wireless battery charger for E-bikes. In addition, the measurements regarding the surrounding magnetic field are given in detail in order to evaluate the actual physiological compatibility of the system.

Simulation of a single-phase five-level cascaded H-Bridge inverter with multicarrier SPWM B-Spline based modulation techniques

Multilevel Power Inverters are now often used to convert DC to AC voltage waveform. This kind of converter allows high power quality with low output harmonics and lower commutation losses with respect to the traditional ones in order to optimize this aspect. This paper presents a novel simulation analysis of the Multicarrier Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation (MC SPWM) techniques B-Spline functions based to control the switches of five-level single-phase cascaded H-bridge inverter. In order to verify the performance of the converter, the harmonic content of the voltage due to modulation techniques has been taken into account. Results highlight the comparison between different B-Spline functions.

Graphical THD minimization procedure for single phase five-level converters

This paper proposes two graphycal procedure to mitigate h harmonics and to minimize the total harmonic distortion (THD), respectively. The paper considers a five-level inverter and fundamental frequency modulation: it computes the two switching angles able to reduce low order harmonics and able to minimize the THD. Simulation results are obtained and, in order to validate the proposed procedure, an experimental prototype is built and experimental results are carried out. The comparison between simulation and experimental results confirms the accuracy of the proposed graphycal procedure. It is shown that the switching angles to mitigate the third-fifth and the third-fifth-seventh harmonics exist only for few values of modulation index. The angles obtained by the THD minimization procedure and the corrensponding values of the amplitudes of the harmonic components are shown to verify the respect of grid code.

New approach for harmonic mitigation in single-phase five-level CHBMI with fundamental frequency switching

The main objective of this paper is to study and analyse the voltage output waveform of a multilevel inverter, to suggest a new approach for harmonic mitigation improving the converter performance. These last type of converters represent a new technology in the field of DC/AC electrical energy conversion, presenting advantages respect to the traditional converters. In fact, the multilevel power converters present a low harmonic content and a high voltage level. The paper considers a five-level single-phase cascaded H-bridge inverter and fundamental frequency modulation techniques. The voltage waveform analysis has allowed to identify a working area of the converter where there are lowest values of the considered harmonic amplitude. The simulated behaviour of the model of the converter, with the logic piloting gate signals, has been obtained in Matlab-Simulink environment.

Low-cost smart energy managment based on ATmega 328P-PU microcontroller

This paper presents a real-time, low-cost, wireless, AC and DC monitoring system based on an ATmega328P-PU microcontroller. The proposed system is composed by different client nodes, which have the task to measure the main electrical quantities involved in the system, and a server node that collects the data and send them to a display device. The system is well suited for a good accuracy monitoring of either AC or DC electrical quantities. In order to verify the correct operation of the system, a case study for the simultaneous monitoring of the DC and AC voltages and currents is provided.

Nanostructured lead acid battery for electric vehicles applications

This paper presents an innovative lead acid battery, based on nanostructured active materials. Both charging time and specific energy are greatly enhanced in comparison with commercial lead acid battery. Starting from the extremely valuable performances of the nanostructured battery, also a circuital model, for application in electric vehicle traction, has been specifically developed. The circuital model has demonstrated that an enhanced nanostructured battery allows an increase of traveled distance by electric vehicles.

Efficient contactless power transfer system for EVs

Based on the inductive power transfer (IPT), the contactless approach allows safe and comfortable operations of battery charging for Electric Vehicles (EVs). In this paper, a contactless system particularly suitable for E-bike battery charging is proposed. A practical realization of the system has been carried out, aiming at the system evaluation in terms of working and efficiency. Through a phase shift modulation, a power regulation has been implemented. The target power level is 100 W.

An inductive charger for automotive applications

The inductive charging represents a valid solution for the power transfer in automotive applications. Due to the Inductive Power Transfer (IPT), the wireless battery charging of Electric Vehicles (EVs) provides several benefits. In this paper, an inductive charger which is particularly suitable for electrical bicycles is proposed. A practical realization of the system has been carried out, and the system has been tested in terms of working and efficiency. Through a Phase Shift Modulation (PSM), a power regulation has been implemented. The target power is 100 W.