A New Modulation Approach for Matrix Converter

The matrix converter is an AC/AC converter constituted by an array of controlled semiconductor switches that connects directly the three-phase source to the three-phase load. The major development of matrix converters begins when Alesina and Venturini proposed the basic principles of operation in the '80s. In their modulation methods, through the common-mode-voltage addition technique a voltage ratio of 86.6% can be obtained. In this paper, a novel method which preserves the same voltage ratio of traditional modulations is proposed. The key concept of this approach is to use only the two closest input voltages instead of all three-phase voltages. The duties cycle are computed on the knowledge of output power demand. With this arrangement, lower switching losses in addition to better harmonic content on output current can be achieved. Hence, this paper presents a detailed mathematical treatment of new modulation approach developed for matrix converter. To validate the proposed strategy, significantly simulation results achieved in co-simulation MATLAB/SIMULINK/PLECS environment will be shown and compared with Venturini's modulation. © 2019 The Korean Institute of Power Electronics (KIPE)