• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.368-379
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• 2017

In this paper, a direct torque control algorithm with novel duty cycle-based modulation is proposed for permanent magnet synchronous motor drives fed by neutral-point clamped three-level inverters. Compared with the standard DTC, the proposed algorithm can suppress steady-state torque ripples as well as ensure neutral-point potential balance and smooth vector switching. A unified torque/flux evaluation table with multiple voltage vectors and precise control levels is established and used in this method. This table can be used to evaluate the effects of duty-cycle vectors on torque and flux directly, and the elements of the table are independent of the motor parameters. Consequently, a high number of appropriate voltage vectors and their corresponding duty cycles can be selected as candidate vectors to reduce torque ripples by looking up the table. Furthermore, small vectors are incorporated into the table to ensure the neutral-point potential balance with the numerous candidate vectors. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm are verified by both simulations and experiments.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.1306-1315
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• 2016

Modern power systems driven by high-power converters have become inevitable in view of the ever increasing demand for electric power. The total power loss can be reduced by limiting the switching losses in such power converters; increased power efficiency can thus be achieved. A reduced switching frequency that is less than a few hundreds of hertz is applied to power converters that produce output waveforms with high distortion. Selective harmonic elimination pulse width modulation (SHEPWM) is an optimized low switching frequency pulse width modulation method that is based on offline estimation. This method can pre-program the harmonic profile of the output waveform over a range of modulation indices to eliminate low-order harmonics. In this paper, a SHEPWM scheme for three-phase three-leg neutral point clamped inverter is proposed. Aside from eliminating the selected harmonics, the DC capacitor voltages at the DC bus are also balanced because of the symmetrical pulse pattern over a quarter cycle of the period. The technique utilized in the estimation of switching angles involves the firefly algorithm (FA). Compared with other techniques, FA is more robust and entails less computation time. Simulation in the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment and experimental verification in the very large scale integration platform with Spartan 6A DSP are performed to prove the validity of the proposed technique.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.505-512
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• 2007

The object of this paper is to study a new control structure for sensorless induction machines dedicated to electrical drives using a three-level voltage source inverter VSI-NPC. The amplitude and the rotating speed of the flux vector can be controlled freely. The scheme investigated is an Enhanced direct torque control "EDTC" for electric vehicle propulsion. The considered application imposes some constraints which are achieved in EDTC control (fast torque response, optimal switching logic, torque control at zero speed, and large speed control. The results obtained for an induction motor indicate superior performance over the FOC type without need for any mechanical sensor.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.432-444
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• 2018

This paper presents a capacitor voltage balancing topology using a three-level boost converter (TLBC) for a neutral point clamped (NPC) three-level inverter fed surface permanent magnet synchronous motor drive (SPMSM). It enhanced the performance of the drive in terms of its voltage THD and torque pulsation. The main attracting feature of the proposed control is the boosting of the input voltage and at the same time the balancing of the capacitor voltages. This control also reduces the computational complexity. For the purpose of close loop vector control, a software based cost effective resolver to digital converter RDC-less estimation is implemented to calculate the speed and position. The proposed drive is simulated in the MATLAB/SIMULINK environment and an experimental investigation using dSPACE DS1104 validates the proposed drive system at different operating condition.

• Proceedings of the KIPE Conference
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• 2011.07a
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• pp.44-45
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• 2011

분산발전 시스템에서 계통연계 인버터는 계통에 전력을 주입할 뿐만 중요부하에도 안정된 전력을 공급하는 역할을 한다. 하지만 기존의 계통연계시 전류제어모드로 동작하고 계통이상 발생시 전압제어로 전환되는 제어방법으로는 모드 전환시 과도상태가 발생하여 중요부하에 심각한 영향을 줄 수 있다. 본 논문에서는 모드 전환에 따른 과도상태를 최소화하기 위해 끊김없는 모드 전환을 위한 계통연계형 3-레벨 NPC 인버터의 제어기법을 제안한다.

• Proceedings of the KIPE Conference
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• 2011.07a
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• pp.417-418
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• 2011

본 논문은 계통연계 형 3-레벨 NPC(Neutral Point Clamped)인버터의 고장진단 방법을 제안한다. 제안하는 고장진단 방법은 스위칭 소자의 개방고장 진단뿐만 아니라 고장 난 스위칭 소자의 위치 또한 판별 할 수 있다. 스위칭 소자의 고장 진단은 콘코디아 변환(Concordia transformation)에 의한 전류패턴의 반지름 변화로 판단 할 수 있다. 고장 난 스위칭 소자의 위치는 기존의 콘코디아 변환(Concordia transformation)에 의한 전류패턴을 분석하는 방법에 간단한 스위칭 동작을 추가함으로써 구분 할 수 있다. 제안하는 기법은 추가적인 센서가 필요하지 않고 전류신호에 기반을 두고 있으므로 시스템의 복잡한 모델링이 필요하지 않은 장점이 있다. 본 논문은 10kW급 태양광 계통연계 시스템을 모의한 시뮬레이션을 바탕으로 제안한 기법의 타당성을 검증한다.

• Proceedings of the KIPE Conference
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• 2014.11a
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• pp.115-116
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• 2014

기존의 2-레벨 인버터에 비해 더 나은 출력특성을 갖는 멀티레벨 인버터가 등장함에 따라 이를 좀 더 효율적으로 사용하고자 많은 연구가 진행되어 왔다. 멀티레벨 인버터 종류의 하나로 Neutral-Point-Clamped 인버터를 들 수 있는데, 이를 구동하기 위한 방식으로 여러 가지 PWM 기법들이 사용되고 있다. 기존의 방식들에서는 dc-link단의 커패시터에서 저주파수리플이 발생하는 문제가 있다. 이에 관하여, virtual space vector PWM 기법이 제안된 바 있다. 본 논문에서는 이 기법을 계통연계 방식에 적용하여 그 결과를 시뮬레이션을 통해 확인하였다.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.146-157
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• 2019

The inverter is an essential part of permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive systems. The performance of an inverter is greatly influenced by its modulation strategy. Using a proper management of modulation strategies can guarantee high performance from a PMSM under various speed conditions. Switching between modulations is a pivotal technique that determines the performance of a PMSM. Most works on hybrid methods focus on two-level induction motors drive systems. In this paper, in order to improve the performance of PMSMs under various speed conditions, a hybrid method of a pulse width modulation (PWM) control scheme based on a neutral-point-clamped (NPC) three level topology was proposed. This hybrid PWM modulation comprised space vector PWM (SVPWM) and selective harmonic elimination PWM (SHEPWM). Under low speed conditions, the SVPWM is employed to cause the PMSM to start smoothly, and to obtain a rapid response from the control system. Under high speed conditions, the SHEPWM is employed to reduce the switching frequency and to eliminate particular current harmonics. Moreover, the harmonic characteristics of different modulations are analyzed to obtain a smooth transition between the SHEPWM and the SVPWM. Experimental and simulation results indicated the effectiveness of the proposed control method.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.702-713
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• 2018

Power loss reduction and total harmonic distortion(THD) minimization are two important goals of improving three-level inverters. In this paper, an optimized pulse width modulation (PWM) strategy that can reduce switching losses and balance the neutral point with an optional THD of three-level neutral-point-clamped inverters is proposed. An analysis of the two-level discontinuous PWM (DPWM) strategy indicates that the optimal goal of the proposed PWM strategy is to reduce switching losses to a minimum without increasing the THD compared to that of traditional SVPWMs. Thus, the analysis of the two-level DPWM strategy is introduced. Through the rational allocation of the zero vector, only two-phase switching devices are active in each sector, and their switching losses can be reduced by one-third compared with those of traditional PWM strategies. A detailed analysis of the impact of small vectors, which correspond to different zero vectors, on the neutral-point potential is conducted, and a hysteresis control method is proposed to balance the neutral point. This method is simple, does not judge the direction of midpoint currents, and can adjust the switching times of devices and the fluctuation of the neutral-point potential by changing the hysteresis loop width. Simulation and experimental results prove the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed strategy.

• Proceedings of the KIPE Conference
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• 2014.07a
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• pp.367-368
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• 2014

This paper investigates characteristics of high power semiconductor device losses in 5MW-class Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG) Medium Voltage (MV) wind turbines. High power semiconductor device of press-pack type IGCT of 6.5kV is considered in this paper. Analysis is performed based on neutral point clamped (NPC) 3-level back-to-back type voltage source converter (VSC) supplied from grid voltage of 4160V. This paper describes total loss distribution at worst case under inverter and rectifier operating mode for the power semiconductor switches. The loss analysis is confirmed through PLECS simulations. In addition, the loss factors due to di/dt snubber and ac input filter are presented. The investigation result shows that IGCT type semiconductor devices generate the total efficiency of 97.74% under the rated condition.