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Asymmetric multilevel converters can optimize the number of levels by using H-bridges scaled in the power of three. The shortcoming of this topology is that the H-bridges are not interchangeable, and then, under certain faulty conditions, the converter cannot operate. A reconfiguration system based on bidirectional electronic valves has been designed for three-phase cascaded H-bridge inverters. Once a fault is detected in any of the insulated gate bipolar transistors of any H-bridge, the control is capable to reconfigure the hardware keeping the higher power bridges in operation. In this way, the faulty phase can continue working at the same voltage level by adjusting its gating signals. Some simulations and experiments with a 27-level inverter, to show the operation of the system under a faulty condition, are displayed. Index Terms--Fault tolerance, multilevel systems, power conversion.

An active power filter and static var compensator with active power generation capability has been implemented using a 27-level inverter. Each phase of this inverter is composed of three 'H' bridges, all of them connected to the same dc link and their outputs connected through output transformers scaled in the power of three. The filter can compensate load currents with a high harmonic content and a low power factor, resulting in sinusoidal currents from the source. To take advantage of this compensator, the dc link, instead of a capacitor, uses a battery pack, which is charged from a photovoltaic array connected to the batteries through a maximum power point tracker. This combined topology make it possible to produce active power and even to feed the loads during prolonged voltage outages. Simulation results for this application are shown, and some experiments with a 3-kVA device are displayed. Index Terms--Active filters, multilevel systems, solar power generation, static var compensators (SVCs).

A new topology for active power filters (APF) using an 81-level converter is analyzed. Each phase of the converter is composed of four three-state converters, all of them connected to the same capacitor dc link voltage and their output connected in series through output transformers. The main advantages of this kind of converter are the negligible harmonic distortion obtained and the very low switching frequency operation. The single-phase equivalent circuit is analyzed and their governing equations derived. The dc link voltage control, based on manipulating the converter's voltage phase, is analyzed together with the circuit's characteristics that determine the capability to draw or deliver active and reactive current. Simulation results for this application are compared with conventional pulsewidth-modulated (PWM) converters, showing that this filter can compensate load current harmonics, keeping better-quality sinusoidal currents from the source. The simulated configuration uses a 1-F ultracapacitor in the dc link, making it possible to store energy and deliver it during short voltage dips. This is achieved by applying a modulation control to maintain a stable ac voltage during dc voltage drops. A prototype of the filter was implemented and tested, and the obtained current waveforms showed to be as good as expected. Index Terms--Active filters, multilevel systems.

This paper proposes a simple linear feedback-based control technique that ensures zero-neutral-point (NP) potential in three-level voltage-source inverters. The technique works even under dynamic load conditions and enables the decoupled control of the direct and in-quadrature load currents. The technique is based on the relative-gain-array (RGA) approach, which has been successfully used in the control of chemical-engineering processes. The resulting scheme allows the use of outer control loops to set the direct and in-quadrature load currents as required for the specific application (e.g., adjustable speed drives). Experimental results prove the theoretical considerations and show the simplicity of the proposed control scheme. Index Terms--Decoupling of systems, inverters, MIMO systems, multilevel systems.

A special 27-level four-quadrant rectifier for subway applications is analyzed. The arrangement uses only three H-bridges per phase, common dc bus, and independent input transformers for each H-Bridge. The transformers allow galvanic isolation and power escalation to obtain high-quality voltage waveforms, with total harmonic distortion of less than 1%. Some advantages of this 27-level rectifier are: 1) only one of the three H-bridges, called the main converter, manages more than 80% of the total active power in each phase and 2) it switches at fundamental frequency, reducing the switching losses at a minimum value. The rectifier analyzed in this paper is a current-controlled voltage-source type, with a conventional feedback control loop. Some simulations in a rectifier substation, including power reversal at full load are displayed (750 Vdc, 1200 A). The rectifier shows the ability to produce clean ac and dc waveforms without any ripple, and fast reversal of power. Some experimental results with a small prototype, showing voltage and current waveforms, are finally displayed. Index Terms--Multilevel systems, rectifiers.

A full compensating system for distribution networks, able to eliminate harmonics, correct unbalanced loads, and generate or absorb reactive power, is presented. The system is based on a combination of a thyristor binary compensator (TBC), and a pulsewidth-modulation insulated gate bipolar transistor active power filter (APF) connected in cascade. The TBC compensates the fundamental reactive power and balances the load connected to the system. The APF eliminates the harmonics and compensates the small amounts of load unbalances or power factor that the TBC cannot eliminate due to its binary condition. The TBC is based on a chain of binary-scaled capacitors and one inductor per phase. This topology allows, with an adequate number of capacitors, a soft variation of reactive power compensation and a negligible generation of harmonics. The capacitors are switched on when the line voltage reaches its peak value, avoiding inrush currents generation. The inductor helps to balance the load, and absorbs reactive power when required. The APF works measuring the source currents, forcing them to be sinusoidal. The two converters (TBC and APF) work independently, making the control of the system simpler and more reliable. Simulations show that the system is able to respond to many kinds of transient perturbations in no more than a couple of cycles. The paper analyzes the circuit proposed, the way it works and shows some experimental results obtained under operation. Index Terms--Power conditioners, power electronics, power filters, reactive power control.

This paper presents the performance analysis of a hybrid filter composed of passive and active filters connected in series. The analysis is done by evaluating the influence of passive filter parameters variations and the effects that different active power filter's gain have in the compensation performance of the hybrid scheme. The compensation performance is quantified by evaluating the attenuation factor in a power distribution system energizing high-power nonlinear loads compensated with passive filters and then improved with the connection of a series active power filter. Finally, compensation characteristics of the hybrid topology are tested on a 10-kVA experimental setup. Index Terms--Active power filter, current harmonics, power factor, power filter, reactive power.

This paper presents a switching strategy for multi-level cascade inverters, based on the space-vector theory. The proposed high-performance strategy generates a voltage vector across the load with minimum error with respect to the sinusoidal reference. In addition, it generates very low harmonic distortion operating with reduced switching frequency, without the use of traditional sinusoidal pulsewidth modulation techniques or more sophisticated vector modulation methods. Index Terms--Digital control, multilevel converter, multilevel inverter, space vector.

This paper presents a multilevel converter with regeneration capability. The converter uses several power cells connected in series, each working with reduced voltage and with an active front end at the line side. This paper presents the following: 1) the control method of each cell; 2) the use of phase-shifting techniques to reduce the current and voltage distortion; and 3) criteria to select the connection of the cells. The converter generates almost sinusoidal currents at the load and at the input and works with very high power factor. Index Terms--Medium-voltage drives, multilevel converter, multilevel inverter, power converters.

This paper presents a switching strategy for multilevel cascade inverters, based on the space-vector theory. The proposed switching strategy generates a voltage vector with very low harmonic distortion and reduced switching frequency. This new control method is an attractive alternative to the classic multilevel pulsewidth modulation techniques considering the following aspects: 1) voltage and current total harmonic distortion; 2) range of linear operation; and 3) number of commutations. Index Terms--Digital control, multilevel converter, multilevel inverter, space vector.

A series active power filter working as a sinusoidal current source, in phase with the mains voltage, has been developed and tested. The amplitude of the fundamental current in the series filter is controlled through the error signal generated between the load voltage and a preestablished reference. The control allows an effective correction of power factor, harmonic distortion, and load voltage regulation. Compared with previous methods of control developed for series active filters, this method is simpler to implement, because it is only required to generate a sinusoidal current, in phase with the mains voltage, the amplitude of which is controlled through the error in the load voltage. The proposed system has been studied analytically and tested using computer simulations and experiments. In the experiments, it has been verified that the filter keeps the line current almost sinusoidal and in phase with the line voltage supply. It also responds very fast under sudden changes in the load conditions, reaching its steady state in about two cycles of the fundamental. Index Terms - Active filters, current control, power electronics, power filters, pulsewidth-modulated power converters.

A simple and low-cost control strategy for active power filters implemented with pulsewidth modulation voltage-source inverters (PWM-VSI's) connected in cascade is presented and analyzed in this paper. The principal component of the control circuit is an INTEL 8031 AH microcontroller, which generates the current reference waveforms and respective switching patterns for each inverter. The switching pattern is obtained by using a vector control technique. The proposed active power filter consists of two PWM-VSI's, connected in cascade, each one operating at a different switching frequency. This paper presents the proposed control strategy in terms of principles of operation, circuit design, and implementation. Finally, predicted results are verified experimentally on a 10-kVA breadboard model.

A basic criterion that determines the behavior of an active power filter is the method of calculating the reference current. There are many ways of generating this reference, but the methods are generally complex and hard to tune. This paper describes a simple and effective method for calculating the reference current, necessary to feed a shunt active power filter to compensate the power factor and harmonic currents generated by a nonlinear load. Simulations and experimental results are presented, showing that the proposed circuit may operate at frequencies ranging from 40 to 65 Hz without adjustment.

The performance and dynamic characteristics of a three-phase active power filter operating with fixed switching frequency is presented and analyzed in this paper. The proposed scheme employs a PWM voltage-source inverter and has two important characteristics. First, it operates with fixed switching frequency, and second, it can compensate the reactive power and the current harmonic components of nonlinear loads. Reactive power compensation is achieved without sensing and computing the reactive component of the load current, thus simplifying the control system. Current harmonic compensation is done in time domain. The principles of operation of the proposed active power filter along with the design criteria of the power and control circuit components are discussed in detail. Finally, experimental results obtained from a 5-kVA prototype confirm the feasibility and the features of the proposed system.

This paper presents a unified approach for generating pulsewidth-modulated patterns for three-phase current-source rectifiers and inverters (CSR/Is) that provides unconstrained selective harmonic elimination and fundamental current control. The approach uses the chopping angles or gating patterns developed for voltage-source rectifiers and inverters in combination with a logic circuit to generate the gating patterns for CSR/Is. The circuit also includes naturally and symmetrically distributed shorting pulses. Thus, the approach avoids the hassle of positioning the shorting pulses and defining and solving a set of nonlinear equations dedicated to CSR/Is. Moreover, the approach can eliminate an even or odd arbitrary number of harmonics (e.g., fundamental current control and elimination of the 5th, 7th, and 11th harmonics). This is an improvement over existing techniques and a new approach to pattern generation. Simulated and experimental results for both static and dynamic operating conditions are presented in order to validate the effectiveness of the approach. Index Terms--Current source, selective harmonic elimination, three phase, voltage source.

In this paper, a phase-locked loop algorithm appropriated for digital-signal-processor-based control implementations, where the operation of a static-power converter needs to be synchronized with an ac network, is presented. The proposed algorithm includes a multiplier, a filter, a feedback closed loop, and a numerically controlled oscillator stage. As a result, a discrete sine (and cosine) signal is generated in synchronism with the fundamental component of an external-reference (ER) signal. Moreover, the sampling period of the algorithm is adjusted at each sampling instant such that an integer number of sampling periods per period of the ER signal is ensured. This is the main feature, and it is achieved by using a discrete rectangular window filter and a discrete controller. The proposed algorithm code is simple, stable, and presents high noise rejection. A comprehensive theoretical justification and various rigorous experimental tests are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]