A control scheme for a multilevel AC-AC converter is presented. The converter resembles a matrix converter but it uses the cascade converter in place of converter valve. This is a string of H-bridge modules, each equipped with a DC storage capacitor, as the building block of the converter. This yields a highly modular implementation approach which may be suitable for high voltage, high power applications. One of the main issues with these modular multilevel converter topologies is the regulation of the capacitors voltages. This is a prerequisite to successfully operate the topology. This work explains the basics of the multilevel matrix converter and develops its associated control schemes to operate it as AC-AC converter. Control objectives include: regulation of multiple capacitor voltages; control of the multiple valve currents; and control of the output voltages. The proposed scheme is verified experimentally and through simulations. Results show good system performance in rejecting load impacts; maintaining capacitor voltages and valve currents within normal values; drawing low distortion, and close to unitary power factor, currents from the line; and creating high quality output voltages which result in low distortion load currents. The matrix multilevel converter thus shows great potential for high performance, high power motor drives.
Modular multilevel converter, matrix converter, control of power converter
Diego Soto, Jaime Borquez, "Control of a Modular Multilevel Matrix Converter for High Power Applications", Studies in Informatics and Control, ISSN 1220-1766, vol. 21(1), pp. 85-92, 2012. https://doi.org/10.24846/v21i1y201210
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