Performance evaluation of model predictive control method for neutral point clamped inverter

Year 2022, , 245 - 250, 20.07.2022

Ozan Gülbudak , Mustafa Gökdağ

https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.962857

Abstract

The neutral-point clamped (NPC) inverter is a popular three-level converter topology used in motor drive applications and other dc/ac converter systems. In this paper, the performance evaluation of the model predictive control is performed to investigate its applicability in controlling NPC inverters. The model predictive control (MPC) is a promising closed-loop control strategy in applications where multiple control goals are considered. The ease of adding the objectives to the control law improves the reputation of the MPC. The numerous control goals can be regulated in single feedback. Thus, the adequate bandwidth is noticeably higher compared to the traditional linear controllers. However, controlling the multiple objectives require the use of weighting factors to tune the system performance. Regarding the system performance, multiple reference tracking performance is investigated in this study. Our case study considers three control goals: output load current, switching frequency control, and capacitor voltage balancing. The predictive control is designed to regulate these dynamics, and comprehensive performance analyses are performed. The designed controller is tested using a simulation tool. The simulation results prove that predictive control offers an excellent multi-objective control performance provided that the weighting factors and other design parameters are finely adjusted. The poor selection of the design parameters affects the closed-loop performance, and the conducted analyses show the effects of the controller parameters. 

Keywords

Model predictive control, NPC inverter, Optimal control, Optimization, Power converters

References

• Choi U-M, Blaabjerg F & Lee K-B (2015). Method to Minimize the Low-Frequency Neutral-Point Voltage Oscillations With Time-Offset Injection for Neutral-Point-Clamped Inverters. IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, 51(2), 1678–1691. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIA.2014.2350079
• Jarutus N & Kumsuwan Y (2017). A Carrier-Based Phase-Shift Space Vector Modulation Strategy for a Nine-Switch Inverter. IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 32(5), 3425–3441. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2016.2587811
• Jie S, Schröder S, Rösner R & El-Barbari S (2011). A Comprehensive Study of Neutral-Point Self-Balancing Effect in Neutral-Point-Clamped Three-Level Inverters. IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 26(11), 3084–3095. https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2011.2138161
• Klabunde M C, Yifan Z, & Lipo T A (1994). Current control of a 3-level rectifier/inverter drive system. Proceedings of 1994 IEEE Industry Applications Society Annual Meeting, 859–866. https://doi.org/10.1109/IAS.1994.377519
• Nabae A, Takahashi I & Akagi H (1981). A New Neutral-Point-Clamped PWM Inverter. IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, IA-17(5), 518–523. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIA.1981.4503992
• Newton C & Sumner M (1997). Neutral point control for multi-level inverters: theory, design and operational limitations. IAS ’97. Conference Record of the 1997 IEEE Industry Applications Conference Thirty-Second IAS Annual Meeting, 2, 1336–1343. https://doi.org/10.1109/IAS.1997.629031
• Ogasawara S & Akagi H (1993). Analysis of variation of neutral point potential in neutral-point-clamped voltage source PWM inverters. Conference Record of the 1993 IEEE Industry Applications Conference Twenty-Eighth IAS Annual Meeting, 965–970. https://doi.org/10.1109/IAS.1993.299015
• Rodriguez J, Bernet S, Steimer P K & Lizama I E (2010). A Survey on Neutral-Point-Clamped Inverters. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 57(7), 2219–2230. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIE.2009.2032430
• Rojas R, Ohnishi T & Suzuki T (1995). An improved voltage vector control method for neutral-point-clamped inverters. IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 10(6), 666–672. https://doi.org/10.1109/63.471286
• Steinke J K (1992). Switching frequency optimal PWM control of a three-level inverter. IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 7(3), 487–496. https://doi.org/10.1109/63.145136
• Vargas R, Cortes P, Ammann U, Rodriguez J & Pontt J (2007). Predictive Control of a Three-Phase Neutral-Point-Clamped Inverter. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 54(5), 2697–2705. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIE.2007.899854