Voltage Control of Inverter

An inverter may require voltage control to:

 Cope with the variations in the input dc voltage

 Compensate the voltage regulation of the inverter switches and transformer
 Provide variable or adjustable voltage to the load

Certain loads, such as variable frequency induction motor drive, require

simultaneous control of frequency and voltage. Controlling the conduction
intervals of the inverter switches can control frequency of the inverter output.

Voltage control may be done by any of the following techniques:

 Control of input dc voltage

 External control of inverter ac output voltage
 Internal control of inverter
 Voltage Control of Inverter
Control of Input DC Voltage
The output voltage of an inverter may be controlled by controlling the input dc voltage
supplied to the inverter. Various schemes are used to control the input dc voltage. If the basic
source is dc, variable dc voltage may be obtained using a chopper or a dc-to-dc converter, as
shown in Fig. a. If the basic source is ac, variable dc voltage may be obtained using any of the
schemes shown in Fig. 8.33b-d.
 Voltage Control of Inverter
Control of Input DC Voltage
If the basic source is ac, variable dc voltage may be obtained using any of the schemes shown
in Fig. b-d.

- Three conversion stage

- Efficiency is poor
- Input power factor becomes poor at low output voltages
 Voltage Control of Inverter
Control of Input DC Voltage
If the basic source is ac, variable dc voltage may be obtained using any of the schemes shown
in Fig. b-d.

- Two conversion stages are required. Hence, efficiency of the system is better than
the previous system
- Input power factor is poor at low output voltages
- Output of the controlled rectifier contains appreciable amount of low-frequency
harmonics
- Large size filter components are required.
- This makes the system response sluggish
 Voltage Control of Inverter
Control of Input DC Voltage
If the basic source is ac, variable dc voltage may be obtained using any of the schemes shown
in Fig. b-d.

- Drawbacks of the previous system (Fig. c) are removed in this system.

- As the chopper operates at a high frequency, its output contains harmonics at very
high frequencies. Thus, the size of the filter components is reduced.
- Moreover, the fundamental input power factor remains unity under all conditions of
operation.
- Losses in the system increase due to use of an additional converter.
 Voltage Control of Inverter

Internal Control of Inverter

 In this technique, the voltage control is obtained within the inverter.

 The output of the inverter is in the form of a pulse width modulated wave.
Controlling the width of output pulses, controls the output voltage.

 This method not only provides variable output voltage but also eliminates certain
low frequency harmonics, which are responsible for poor performance.

 This method is therefore, the most popular method of voltage control of inverter.

 Depending on the required range of voltage control and required performance, a

suitable PWM technique may be used.

Problem : Example 8.1 - 8.7 Ref : Jamil Asghar Chapter -8

Pulse Width Modulation Technique

 In PWM inverters, widths of output pulses are modulated to achieve

the voltage control.

 Both amplitude and frequency can be controlled independently.

 Very flexible

Simple modulation techniques are:

 Single Pulse Width Modulation

 Multiple or Uniform Pulse Width Modulation (UPWM)
 Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation (SPWM)
 Modified Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation (Modified SPWM)
 Single Pulse Width Modulation

Ac Carrier signal

Reference signal

Ar
t
π  2
2


g1
t
π  π π   2
 
g4 2 2 2 2 2
t
π  2
vo 2
Vs

t
π  2
-Vs 2
 Single Pulse Width Modulation

Ac Carrier signal
Reference signal

Ar
t
π  2
2


g1
t
π  π π   2
 
g4 2 2 2 2 2
t
π  2
vo 2
Vs

t
π  2
-Vs 2
 Single Pulse Width Modulation

Ac Carrier signal
Reference signal

Ar

t
π  2
2


g1
t
π  π π   2
 
g4 2 2 2 2 2
t
π  2
vo 2
Vs

t
π  2
-Vs 2
 Single Pulse Width Modulation
Carrier signal Reference signal
Ac
Ar

t
π  2
2


g1
t
π  π π   2
 
g4 2 2 2 2 2
t
π  2
vo 2
Vs

t
π  2
-Vs 2
 Single Pulse Width Modulation

Amplitude Modulation Index,

Ar
M
Ac Ar : 0  Ac
 : 0  180
Instantaneous output voltage,

vo  Vs g1  g 4 

The rms output voltage can be found from, Harmonic profile: Book of H. Rashid
1/ 2
 2    / 2  
Vo     / 2 V d 
2
 t   Vs
 2 
s

The Fourier series of output voltage yields


4Vdc n
vo (t )  
n 1, 3, 5... n
sin
2
sin n t
 Multiple or Uniform Pulse Width Modulation (UPWM)
1 Carrier signal
Ac fc
Reference signal

Ar 2
t



g1

t
g4

t
vo
Vs
2
t

-Vs
 Multiple or Uniform Pulse Width Modulation (UPWM)
1 Carrier signal
Ac fc Reference signal

Ar 2
t



g1

t
g4

t
vo m+/2
Vs
m++/2
2
t

m
-Vs m+
 Multiple or Uniform Pulse Width Modulation (UPWM)
1 Carrier signal Reference signal
Ac fc

Ar 2
t



g1

t
g4

t
vo m+/2
Vs
m++/2
2
t

m
-Vs m+
 Multiple or Uniform Pulse Width Modulation (UPWM)

The frequency of reference wave sets the output frequency fo

The carrier frequency determines the number of pulses per half-cycle p

fc mf Amplitude Modulation Index,

p 
2 fo 2 Ar
M
fc Ac
Where, mf  (frequency modulation ratio)
fo M: 0  1
 : 0  T/2p or /p
Instantaneous output voltage,
Vo : 0  Vs
vo  Vs  g1  g 4 

The rms output voltage can be found from,

1/ 2
 2 p  / p  / 2 2  p
Vo    Vs d  t   Vs
 2  / p  / 2  
 Multiple or Uniform Pulse Width Modulation (UPWM)

The general form of Fourier series for the instantaneous output voltage is

vo (t )  B
n 1, 3, 5...
n sin n t

The coefficient Bn can be determined by considering a pair of pulses such

that the positive pulse of duration  starts at t =  and the negative one of
the same width starts at t =  + . The Effects of all pulses can be
combined together to obtain the effective output voltage.

If the positive pulse of mth pair starts at t = m and ends at t = m+ , the
Fourier coefficient for a pair of pulses is
2   m    m  / 2
bn    
sin n t d  t   sin n t d  t 
   m  / 2   m 
4Vs n   3    
 sin sin n      sin n     m  
n
m
4   4   4 

Bn can be found by adding the effects of all pulses

2p
4Vs n   3    
Bn   sin sin n      sin n      

m m
m 1 n 4   4   4 
Bipolar Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation
switching
vref vc vref > vc, S1 and S2 on, vo = Vdc

t

g1, g2

t
Bipolar Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation
switching
vref vc vref > vc, S1 and S2 on, vo = Vdc

t

g1, g2

t
Bipolar Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation
switching
vref vc vref < vc, S3 and S4 on, vo = -Vdc

t

g3, g4

t
Bipolar Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation
switching
vref vc vref < vc, S3 and S4 on, vo = -Vdc

t

g3, g4

t
Bipolar Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation
switching
vref vc vref < vc, S3 and S4 on, vo = -Vdc

t

g3, g4

t
Bipolar Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation
switching
vref vc

t

g1, g2

g3, g4 t

t
Bipolar Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation
switching
vref vc

t

g1, g2

g3, g4 t

t
Bipolar Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation
switching
vref vc

t

vo
Vdc

t

-Vdc
Unipolar Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation
switching

Unipolar switching scheme:

Logic: If vref > vc, S1 is on and if vref < vc, S4 is on.

If -vref > vc, S3 is on and if -vref < vc, S2 is on.

Possible combinations:

1. S1 and S3 on, VAN = V, VBN = V, vo = VAB = 0;

2. S1 and S2 on, VAN = V, VBN = 0, vo = VAB = V;
3. S4 and S3 on, VAN = 0, VBN = V, vo = VAB = -V;
4. S4 and S2 on, VAN = 0, VBN = 0, vo = VAB = 0.
Unipolar Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation
switching
vref If vref > vc, S1 is on
vc -vref

t

g1

t
Unipolar Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation
switching
vref If vref < vc, S4 is on
vc -vref

t

g1

t
g4

t
Unipolar Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation
switching
vref If -vref > vc, S3 is on
vc -vref

t

g1

t
g4

t
g3

t
Unipolar Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation
switching
vref If -vref < vc, S2 is on
vc -vref

t

g1

t
g4

t
g3

t
g2

t
Unipolar Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation
switching
vref vc -vref

t

g1

t
g4

t
g3

t
g2

t
Unipolar Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation
switching

g1
t
g4

t
g3

t
g2

t
VAN

t
VBN

t
VAB
S1, S3 on, VAN = V, VBN = V,
S1, S2 on, VAN = V, VBN = 0; t
S4, S3 on, VAN = 0, VBN = V,
S4, S2 on, VAN = 0, VBN = 0.
 Switching: Bipolar
M=1.0
mf = 12

1
Magnitude

1
0
0.8

Magnitude
-1
0.6
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
0.4

1 0.2
Magnitude

0 0
0 10 20 30 40
Frequency (in multiple of fundamental)
-1
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
Time (in seconds)
- The fundamental component has a peak value equal to M times the source voltage. This is true for all
values of M < 1.

- The significant harmonics occur around mf, 2mf, 3mf and so on.
 Switching: Bipolar
M=0.9
mf = 12

1
Magnitude

1
0
0.8

Magnitude
-1
0.6
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
0.4

1 0.2
Magnitude

0 0
0 10 20 30 40
Frequency (in multiple of fundamental)
-1
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
Time (in seconds)
 Switching: Bipolar
M=0.8
mf = 12

1
Magnitude

1
0
0.8

Magnitude
-1
0.6
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
0.4

1 0.2
Magnitude

0 0
0 10 20 30 40
Frequency (in multiple of fundamental)
-1
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
Time (in seconds)
 Switching: Bipolar
M=0.7
mf = 12

1
Magnitude

1
0
0.8

Magnitude
-1
0.6
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
0.4

1 0.2
Magnitude

0 0
0 10 20 30 40
Frequency (in multiple of fundamental)
-1
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
Time (in seconds)
 Switching: Bipolar
M=0.6
mf = 12

1
Magnitude

1
0
0.8

Magnitude
-1
0.6
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
0.4

1 0.2
Magnitude

0 0
0 10 20 30 40
Frequency (in multiple of fundamental)
-1
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
Time (in seconds)
 Switching: Bipolar
M=0.5
mf = 12

1
Magnitude

1
0
0.8

Magnitude
-1
0.6
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
0.4

1 0.2
Magnitude

0 0
0 10 20 30 40
Frequency (in multiple of fundamental)
-1
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
Time (in seconds)
 Switching: Bipolar
M=0.4
mf = 12

1
Magnitude

1
0
0.8

Magnitude
-1
0.6
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
0.4

1 0.2
Magnitude

0 0
0 10 20 30 40
Frequency (in multiple of fundamental)
-1
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
Time (in seconds)
 Switching: Bipolar
M=0.3
mf = 12

1
Magnitude

1
0
0.8

Magnitude
-1
0.6
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
0.4

1 0.2
Magnitude

0 0
0 10 20 30 40
Frequency (in multiple of fundamental)
-1
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
Time (in seconds)
 Switching: Bipolar
M=0.8
mf = 12

1
Magnitude

1
0
0.8

Magnitude
-1
0.6
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
0.4

1 0.2
Magnitude

0 0
0 10 20 30 40
Frequency (in multiple of fundamental)
-1
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
Time (in seconds)
 Switching: Bipolar
M=0.8
mf = 13

1
Magnitude

1
0
0.8

Magnitude
-1
0.6
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
0.4

1 0.2
Magnitude

0 0
0 10 20 30 40
Frequency (in multiple of fundamental)
-1
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
Time (in seconds)
 Switching: Bipolar
M=0.8
mf = 14

1
Magnitude

1
0
0.8

Magnitude
-1
0.6
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
0.4

1 0.2
Magnitude

0 0
0 10 20 30 40
Frequency (in multiple of fundamental)
-1
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
Time (in seconds)
 Switching: Bipolar
M=0.8
mf = 15

1
Magnitude

1
0
0.8

Magnitude
-1
0.6
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
0.4

1 0.2
Magnitude

0 0
0 10 20 30 40
Frequency (in multiple of fundamental)
-1
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
Time (in seconds)
 Switching: Bipolar
M=0.8
mf = 16

1
Magnitude

1
0
0.8

Magnitude
-1
0.6
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
0.4

1 0.2
Magnitude

0 0
0 10 20 30 40
Frequency (in multiple of fundamental)
-1
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
Time (in seconds)
 Switching: Bipolar
M=0.8
mf = 17

1
Magnitude

1
0
0.8

Magnitude
-1
0.6
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
0.4

1 0.2
Magnitude

0 0
0 10 20 30 40
Frequency (in multiple of fundamental)
-1
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
Time (in seconds)
 Switching: Bipolar
M=0.8
mf = 18

1
Magnitude

1
0
0.8

Magnitude
-1
0.6
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
0.4

1 0.2
Magnitude

0 0
0 10 20 30 40
Frequency (in multiple of fundamental)
-1
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
Time (in seconds)
 Switching: Bipolar
M=0.8
mf = 19

1
Magnitude

1
0
0.8

Magnitude
-1
0.6
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
0.4

1 0.2
Magnitude

0 0
0 10 20 30 40
Frequency (in multiple of fundamental)
-1
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
Time (in seconds)
 Switching: Bipolar
M=0.8
mf = 20

1
Magnitude

1
0
0.8

Magnitude
-1
0.6
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
0.4

1 0.2
Magnitude

0 0
0 10 20 30 40
Frequency (in multiple of fundamental)
-1
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
Time (in seconds)
Switching: Unipolar
M=0.8
mf = 12
1

Magnitude
0

-1

0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02

1
g
4
g
3
g
2
g

0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02

Time (in seconds)
Switching: Unipolar
M=0.8
mf = 12
1

Magnitude
0

-1

0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02

0.5
AN
V

0.5
BN
V

0
AB
V

-1
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
Time (in seconds)
 Switching: Unipolar
M=0.8
mf = 12

0 1
VAB

-1 0.8

Magnitude
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
Time (in seconds)
0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 10 20 30 40
Frequency (in multiple of fundamental)

- Like bipolar switching schemes, the fundamental component has a peak value equal to M times the source
voltage. This is true for all values of M < 1.

- The significant harmonics occur around 2mf, 4mf , 6mf and so on..

- The advantages of unipolar switching scheme over the bipolar switching scheme are
(i) harmonics are reduced
(ii) the frequencies of the harmonics are doubled. This results in reduction in lower order harmonics.
 Switching: Bipolar M=0.8
mf = 12

1
Magnitude

1
0
0.8

Magnitude
-1
0.6
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
Time (in seconds) 0.4

0.2

0
Switching: Unipolar M=0.8 0 10 20 30 40
Frequency (in multiple of fundamental)
mf = 12

1
1
0
0.8
V AB

-1 Magnitude 0.6
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02
0.4
Time (in seconds)
0.2

0
0 10 20 30 40
Frequency (in multiple of fundamental)