Simplified educational platform for SVPWM control of a two-level three-phase inverter using Matlab GUI and FPGA

Abstract

Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation (SVPWM) is widely used in three-phase inverters. Besides, Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is a powerful tool in the development of digital controllers applied to power electronics. However, the teaching of these topics for undergraduate and postgraduate students is a difficult task. For this reason, this paper presents a new educational platform based on the integration of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and FPGA for the didactic teaching of SVPWM. The user defines the DC voltage source of the inverter, the magnitude and angle of the reference space vector in the GUI. As a result, the GUI shows the modulation index, working sector, duty cycle and the switching pulses in each phase. Simultaneously, the results of these calculations are sent to the FPGA through serial communication. Thus, the switching patterns are also generated in the FPGA in real time, which can be used for experimental tests. These experimental tests show that the pulses generated for each phase by the FPGA and the GUI are equivalent. Therefore, the proposed didactic platform helps in the teaching process and motivates the use and research of both SVPWM algorithms and FPGAs for undergraduate and postgraduate students.