Space Vector Pwm Techniques for Six_Phase Three-Level Inverter-Fed Drives

In recent years, research in the area of multiphase drives has increased significantly. Having higher number of machine phases allows the current to be shared between the phases, thus reducing the current rating of power semiconductors used in the power converter. Additionally, if a multilevel inverter is used to drive the machine, the output voltage waveforms are going to be approximated closer toward sinusoidal waveforms, thus resulting in lower total harmonic distortion. Therefore, the combination of multiphase and multilevel technologies gives considerable benefits compared to conventional two-level three-phase drives. Unlike a carrier-based approach, which can be easily expanded to any number of converter voltage levels and any number of machine phases, the development of space vector algorithms is also reliant on the machine’s configuration. In other words, different drive topologies require their own unique space vector algorithms. In fact, the complexity of developing a space vector algorithm will dramatically increase with the increase of number of levels and/or number of phases. This thesis presents pulse width modulation techniques for two- and three-level asymmetrical and symmetrical six-phase drives with a single or two isolated neutral points configuration. However, since the modulation techniques for the drives with two isolated neutral points are based on the well-established modulation techniques for three-phase drives, more emphasis is given towards the development of modulation techniques for single neutral point case, particularly those that are based on space vector algorithm principles. In order to realise sinusoidal output phase voltage waveforms, several requirements and conditions have to be met. The requirements revolve around ensuring that the low order harmonics, which contribute to the machine losses, will not exist. Meanwhile, the conditions are more towards minimising the switching losses. All modulation techniques are verified through simulation, while those for three-level case are validated experimentally as well. Comparison and discussion of obtained simulation and experimental results, performance and complexity in terms of execution time of the developed modulation techniques, are presented. The equivalence between corresponding modulation techniques, which are based on the space vector algorithm and carrier-based approach are also established