The Effect of Asynchronous Carrier on Matrix Converter Characteristics

In a matrix converter, input side and output side are coupled with each other through switching elements. Since disturbances on either side affect directly on the other side, it requires a high-speed on-line control system to compensate them. We proposed in previous papers a new control strategy and an on-line control circuit for a matrix converter. The control circuit could keep the output voltage at commanded value against fluctuation in the supply voltage. Furthermore wave forms of the output voltage and the input current were always kept sinusoidal. The switching pattern was generated by comparing modified voltage references with a carrier. The carrier was synchronized with the supply voltage using a PLL system, which made the control circuit complicated and costly. This paper discusses on the possibility of an asynchronized carrier. Experiment results show the input current distortion in case of asynchronous carrier is bigger than that of synchronous carrier. However, the deterioration can be minimized by increased carrier frequency.