A Predictive Hybrid Pulse-Width-Modulation Technique for Active-Front-End Rectifiers

Abstract

Nowadays, active-front-end rectifiers are increasingly used as grid connected devices. Their efficiency and performances have become relevant for reducing the overall grid losses. This paper thus introduces a predictive hybrid pulse-width-modulation (PH-PWM) technique, adaptable to any space-vector PWM (SVPWM) controller. As opposed to hybrid PWM techniques based on sector partitioning, the PH-PWM technique selects the appropriate PWM sequence online with the help of a predictive algorithm. This selection is based on a cost-function where users can define a tradeoff between various criteria, such as the reduction of current distortion and switching losses, as presented in this paper. The use of the PH-PWM technique increases performances in comparison with the conventional PWM techniques. The simulation and experimental results are presented to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed PH-PWM technique. Aside from the tradeoff capacity of the proposed PH-PWM technique, the simulation results validate a reduction of the switching losses for the converter up to 23 $\%$ as compared with the conventional SVPWM technique.