Real-time parallel processing for power applications

The thesis describes the design, implementation and applications of two multiprocessor systems. A Multiprocessor Controller and an Extensible Modular Multiprocessor System have been built and have been used to solve problems of real-time digital control and real-time digital simulation in the power electronics and power systems areas.The Multiprocessor Controller, built around three fixed-point digital signal processors(DSPs), has been used in real-time parallel processing to control a voltage-source type pulse-width-modulated power converter. In a pole-placement control strategy with a state observer, the converter has been stabilized with its dc link capacitance reduced by a factor of as much as 120, thus making the converter a potentially practical device for High Voltage direct current transmission.The Extensible Modular Multiprocessor System consists of modules which can be easily added in a mesh architecture to provide more computing power. Each module consists of one or two autonomous processing units (PUs) and the supporting control/interface circuits. A prototype of three modules (five floating-point DSPs) has been built and used in parallel processing to simulate a small power system with two turbo-generators operating in real time as a Transient Network Analyzer(TNA).The power system equations are partitioned by using a new method in which the system is modeled as an interconnection of functional blocks. The power system is simulated by an interconnection of DSP modules, with one module simulating one block. The results of elaborate tests demonstrate the correctness of: (a) the new partitioning method, and (b) the design and operation of the Extensible Modular Multiprocessor System. The results further show that the new partitioning method together with the Extensible Modular Multiprocessor System form a promising approach to digitize the Transient Network Analyzer