Ultra-fast Decentralized Self-Aligned Carrier Principle for Multiphase/Multilevel Converters

Dzung, Phan Quoc; Gateau, Guillaume; Cousineau, Marc; Veit, Lucas; Milly, R.; Mannes-Hillesheim, M.

doi:10.1109/icit45562.2020.9067108

Cited by 5 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…As a result, a new carrier system must be created for the modulation scheme. The capabilities of the re-aligned carrier technique have been illustrated in [23]. In this situation, an SM can only operate with two cells.…”

Section: Simulation Results In Reconfiguration Scenariomentioning

confidence: 99%

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Self-aligned hybrid carrier-based PWM for modular multilevel converters

Pham

Dzung

2023

IJPEDS

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The self-aligned hybrid carrier-based pulse-width modulation (PWM) for modular multilevel converters (MMC) based on decentralized control is proposed in this paper. It is based on parallel cells in a submodule (SM) using self-aligned hybrid carrier-based PWM, which combines the concept of level-shifted carrier-based PWM (LSC-PWM) and phase-shifted carrier-based PWM (PSC-PWM) methods. By implementing a decentralized control system digitally, hybrid carriers align themselves. Each SM interacts with the other SMs and each parallel cell in an SM communicates with the other cells to generate hybrid carriers. The proposed control strategy makes advantage of the redundancy idea by adding or removing a cell in the case of cell malfunction and system reconfiguration. A current balancing method is incorporated into the decentralized control system to ensure current balance among parallel cells in an SM. The simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the presented control method in piecewise linear electrical circuit simulation (PLECS) software.

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Section: Simulation Results In Reconfiguration Scenariomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To achieve the balanced state, each carrier is locally adjusted on its angle and amplitude level based on the current values of the neighboring elements. The effectiveness of this communication scheme has been validated for the multiphase and multilevel converters [23].…”

Section: The Self-aligned Hybrid Carrier's Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-aligned hybrid carrier-based PWM for modular multilevel converters

Pham

Dzung

2023

IJPEDS

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“…Different approaches for MMC control have also been proposed, which can mainly be divided into two approaches. The first approach is based on a unique main controller for the whole converter [12][13][14], while the other uses a master/slave control scheme [15][16][17]. The conventional centralized control is based on one main controller, typically a DSP, with, usually, an auxiliary FPGA in charge of the capacitor Voltage Balancing Algorithm (VBA), as initially proposed in [1].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Each slave controller is in charge of a submodule group, which expands the modularity of the control structure. In the control structure proposed in [17], each slave controller communicates with two other slave controllers in a loop scheme. Each cell generates its own triangular carrier dynamically, and supervises its capacitor voltage.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cascaded Smart Gate Drivers for Modular Multilevel Converters Control: A Decentralized Voltage Balancing Algorithm

et al. 2021

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Recent Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) topology allows for drastic improvements in power electronic conversion such as higher energy quality, lower power semiconductors electrical stress, decreased Electro-Magnetic Interferences (EMI), and reduced switching losses. MMC is widely used in High Voltage Direct-Current (HVDC) transmissions as it offers, theoretically, no voltage limit. However, its control electronic structure is not modular itself. Especially, the insulation voltage between the submodule gate drivers’ primaries and secondaries depends on the number of submodules. The converter voltage levels cannot be increased without designing all gate driver isolations again. To solve that issue, the novel concept of distributed galvanic insulation is introduced for multilevel converters. The submodule’s gate drivers are daisy-chained, which naturally reduces the insulation voltage to the submodule capacitor voltage, regardless of the number of submodules. The MMC becomes truly modular as the number of submodules can be increased without impacting on the previous control electronic circuit. Such an innovative control structure weakens the link between the main control unit and the gate drivers. This inherent structural problem can be solved through the use of Smart-Gate Drivers (SGD), as they are often equipped with fast and bidirectional communication channels, while highly increasing the converter reliability. The innovation proposed in that work is the involvement of smart gate drivers in the distributed galvanic insulation-based MMC control and monitoring. First, the numerous benefits of smart gate drivers are discussed. Then, an innovative Voltage Balancing Algorithm directly integrated on the chained gate drivers is proposed and detailed. It features a tunable parameter, offering a trade-off between accurate voltage balancing and execution time. The proposed embedded algorithm features a low execution time due to simultaneous voltage comparisons. Such an algorithm is executed by the gate drivers themselves, relieving the main control unit in an original decentralized control scheme. A simulation model of a multi-megawatts three-phase grid-tied MMC inverter is realized, allowing validation of the proposed algorithm. Matlab/Simulink logic blocs allow us to simulate a typical CPLD/FPGA component, often embedded on smart gate drivers. The converter with the proposed embedded algorithm is simulated in steady-state and during load impact. The controlled delay and slew rate inferred by the algorithm do not disturb the converter behavior, allowing its conceptual validation.

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“…In parallel with the development of these specific control techniques that are dedicated to optimizing the efficiency of the multiphase converter, other studies, focusing on the decentralized/modular control, have emerged to address the other control aspects of the multicellular converters. These methods address either the carrier interleaving [15][16][17][18][19], the current-sharing [20] or the voltage regulation [21][22][23][24]. A solution to control a multiphase converter in a fully decentralized manner was presented in [25].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decentralized Phase Shedding with Low Power Mode for Multiphase Converter

et al. 2021

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With a multiphase converter, the phase-shedding function dedicated to maximizing the power efficiency, in a manner that is dependent on the load current, is always provided by a centralized controller that induces a Single Point of Failure (SPOF). The objective of this study is to obtain a decentralized control approach to implement this function by removing any SPOF. The method consists of using identical local controllers, each associated with a converter phase, that communicate with each other in a daisy-chain structure. Instead of measuring the global output current to determine the optimal number of active phases required, each local controller measures its own leg current and takes a local decision based on threshold crossing management and inter-controller communications. Functional simulations are carried out on a 5-leg 12 V/1.2 V 60 W multiphase converter supplying a modern microcontroller. They demonstrate that the number of active phases is well adjusted, in a dynamic manner, depending on the load current level. Specific events such as load current inrush or the start-up sequence are analyzed to guarantee optimal transient responses. A maximum power efficiency tracking ability is also demonstrated. Finally, it is shown that this control strategy allows phase shedding to be implemented using as many phases as desired, in a modular manner, thereby avoiding any centralized processing.

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Ultra-fast Decentralized Self-Aligned Carrier Principle for Multiphase/Multilevel Converters

Cited by 5 publications

References 8 publications

Self-aligned hybrid carrier-based PWM for modular multilevel converters

Self-aligned hybrid carrier-based PWM for modular multilevel converters

Cascaded Smart Gate Drivers for Modular Multilevel Converters Control: A Decentralized Voltage Balancing Algorithm

Decentralized Phase Shedding with Low Power Mode for Multiphase Converter

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