Analysis of symmetrical & asymmetrical pwm based three phase ac to ac converter for power quality improvement

IJRET: International Journal of Research in Engineering and Technology eISSN: 2319-1163 | pISSN: 2321-7308
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Volume: 05 Issue: 08 | Aug-2016, Available @ http://ijret.esatjournals.org 332
ANALYSIS OF SYMMETRICAL & ASYMMETRICAL PWM BASED
THREE PHASE AC TO AC CONVERTER FOR POWER QUALITY
IMPROVEMENT
Venkatesha K1, Vidya H A2
1
Associate Professor, Dept. of Electrical & Electronics Engineering, BNM Institute of Technology, Karnataka,
Bangalore, India
2
Professor & HOD, Dept. of Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Global Academy of Technology, Karnataka,
Bangalore, India
Abstract
A Three phase bidirectional AC to AC buck convertercircuit using power MOSFET operating in high frequency chopping mode is
simulated and analyzed for electrical parameters such as output phase voltage, input line current, input power factor, harmonic
profile and efficiency using MATLAB/simulink software package. The various PWM techniques such as symmetrical ramp-DC
PWM (SRDPWM), asymmetrical ramp-triangular PWM (ARTPWM), asymmetrical sinusoidal PWM type-1 [ASPWM1] and
asymmetrical sinusoidal PWM type-2 [ASPWM2] techniques are adopted to analyze the harmonic profile, input power factor and
efficiency of the converter. The rms value of the output phase voltage, output line current and source current can be significantly
increased by varying the duty ratio K in case of symmetrical PWM control strategy and modulation index MI in case of
asymmetrical PWM control strategies independent of variation in switching frequency. It is observed from the simulation resu lts
that the ASPWM1 switching strategy gives more output phase voltage, input power factor, efficiency by increasing modulation
index MI and reduced low order harmonics of output voltage and source current by increasing the number of pulses per half
cycle P compared to other PWM techniques rendering easy and economical filteration.
Keywords: Three phase AC chopper, symmetrical ramp-DC PWM, asymmetrical ramp-triangular PWM,
asymmetrical sinusoidal PWM technique, harmonic profile, power factor, efficiency
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1. INTRODUCTION
Industrial loads such as heaters, illumination control,
furnaces, AC motor speed control and also theatre dimmers
uses AC voltage controllers. Such voltage regulators,
however, have slow response, poor input power factor, and
high magnitude of low order harmonic at both input and
output sides.These converters need large input-output filters
to reduce low order harmonics in the line current. These
drawbacks have been overcome by designing various
topologies of AC chopper [1-8]. In most standard AC
choppers, the commutation causes high voltage spikes and
an alternative current path has to be provided when current
paths are changed. This alternative current path is
implemented using additional bidirectional switches [3].
Such topologies are difficult and expensive to realize and
the voltage stress of the switch is also high, resulting in
reduced reliability.
The harmonic analysis and power factor improvement are
the two important parameters to be considered in AC to AC
converter circuits [9]. It is required to select the modern
PWM technique which gives best performance of the
converter with respect to improved input power factor and
reduced harmonic content in both input current & output
voltages. In this paper, a three phase bidirectional AC buck
converter is proposed and analyzed for three phase star
connected RL load using symmetrical ramp-DC PWM
(SRDPWM), asymmetrical ramp-triangular PWM
(ARTPWM), asymmetrical sinusoidal PWM type-1
[ASPWM1] and asymmetrical sinusoidal PWM type-2
[ASPWM2] techniques. In case of SRDPWM technique,
duty ratio K is varied in order to vary the power flow, better
harmonic profile and efficiency of the three phase converter.
Whereas in case of ARTPWM, ASPWM1 and ASPWM2
technique, the modulation index MI is varied in order to
change the power flow, harmonic profile, power factor and
efficiency of the three phase convert. But the number of
pulses per half cycle (P) is increased in both symmetrical
and asymmetrical PWM techniques in order to change the
entire harmonic profile of the output phase voltage and input
source current. The change in switching frequency has no
effect on output phase voltage, output line current and
source current variation in both symmetrical and
asymmetrical control strategies.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________
2. OPERATION OF THE CONVERTER
TOPOLOGY
Fig. 1 Block diagram of three phase AC to AC converter
Fig.1 shows the block diagram of three phase AC to AC
buck converter with control circuit to generate pulses to
power MOSFET embedded four quadrant switches
operating in high frequency chopping mode. The control
circuit comprises of comparator that compares carrier
signals such as ramp or triangular signal with control or
reference signals such as DC, negative ramp and sine wave
signals. The carrier wave remains same for all the three
phases. But three reference waves which are 120o apart are
taken to compare with common carrier waveform in order to
generate the PWM pulses. The logical operation takes place
between PWM pulses and zero crossing detector pulses
which are tapped from three phase supply in order to
generate switching pulses to trigger the particular switching
set during positive and negative half cycles respectively.
The duty ratio K can be increased in order to vary all the
electrical parameters including harmonic profile. Whereas P
can be varied in order to vary the harmonic profile of the
converter. The technique continues to evoke interest with
respect to variation of P and K [8]. The chopped output
voltage waveform is analyzed for harmonic content for
various values of P & K. This technique can be adopted for
the harmonic content reduction at the high frequency
chopping mode facilitating easy filtration at lower cost.
Fig. 2 shows the three phase Buck AC chopper that uses
four quadrant bidirectional switches. The combination of
switches M1 with series diode D1 and M4 with series diode
D4 forms one set of four quadrant switch for modulating
purpose. Similarly the switch combination M8 with series
diode D8 and M7 with series diode D7 forms another four
quadrant switch set for freewheeling operation across RL
loads of phase ‘A’.
The control of the switches is based on the different modern
PWM techniques. In practical realizations of the converter,
stray inductances increase the voltage stress of the
bidirectional switches and may destroy the switches. This
situation requires the converter using AC snubber
comprising RC combination (Rs and Cs).
The configuration of the three phase buck ac chopper
feeding star connected RL load involves regeneration,
power absorption by the load and freewheeling. Each switch
conducts for 180 degrees. At any instant of time, three
switches are modulated and three switches are additionally
turned on for regeneration or freewheeling operation. The
commutation policy is that the switches M2, M3 and M4 for
Vs > 0 are additionally turned on for 60 degrees during
which switch M1 is modulated. The modulating signal
changes for every 60 degrees so that at any instant three
switches will conduct. The switching pattern is 5-6-1, 6-1-2,
1-2-3, 2-3-4, 3-4-5, 4-5-6 and back to 5-6-1 after one cycle.
The other switches are additionally turned on for giving path
for an inductor current. If the load inductor current iL is
positive, the inductor current is bypassed or freewheeled
through freewheeling switches available in parallel to the
load. If the load inductor current is negative, then it
bypasses to the source through the input side switches. The
enhancement type MOFSETs are used in converters as
switching devices due to their high switching frequency
greater than 1MHz, and is available with forward blocking
voltage and current of 1000V and 40A respectively. The
operation of power switching devices at higher frequencies
results in decreased size of inductors and filter capacitors
that facilitates compact and economical power electronic
systems. Fig. 3 shows the switching pattern for the four
forced commutated switches of the three phase buck AC
chopper. The dead-time is requisite to avoid current spikes
of practical non-ideal switches and at the same time a
current path of the inductive load has to be provided to
avoid voltage spikes. The modulating pulses can be
symmetrical or asymmetrical which depends on the type of
PWM technique. But the logical operation remains same for
all the PWM techniques.
3. MERITS OF AC TO AC CONVERTER
CIRCUITS
The merits of AC to AC converter circuit are the reduced
lower order harmonics at both input and output side.
Sinusoidal input currents with nearly unity input power
factor can be achieved with the help of input filters.
Sinusoidal output currents with RL loads without filters. The
higher switching frequency selection results in reduction of
filter size. AC chopper does not require gating signals
synchronous with the line voltage. Faster dynamic response
with respect to sag and swell correction and high efficiency
of the converter can be achieved.

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Fig. 2 Three phase buck converter circuit diagram for three phase star connected RL load
Fig. 3a Switching pattern for the line MOSFET switches M1 to M6 of three phase buck converter

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Fig. 3b Switching pattern for load side MOSFET switches M7 to M12 of three phase star connected load.
4. VARIOUS PWM SWITCHING PATTERNS
The various PWM switching techniques selected for AC
chopper are analyzed for input power factor, harmonic
profile and efficiency of the converter circuit.
4.1 Symmetrical Ramp-DC PWM (SRDPWM)
In the SRDPWM control strategy as shown in Fig.4, the
switching pulses are generated by comparing ramp with DC
voltage. The carrier signal ramp having peak value of 10Vis
varied for different switching frequencies like 4.2 KHz,
4.8 KHz, 5.4 KHZ and 6 KHz. The DC reference or control
signal is varied from 4V to 9V in order to get duty ratio
from 0.4 to 0.9. The control circuit comprises of ramp pulse
generator of desired frequency which is compared with the
variable DC voltage Vcontrol to generate switching pulses.
The ZCD pulses are obtained by stepping down the three
phase voltages and then passed through the zero crossing
detectors. The PWM pulses and ZCD pulses of phases A, B
& C are ORed to generate switching pulses for six switches
of the three phase converter as shown in Fig. 3a. The ZCD
and inverted ZCD pulses are fed to the freewheeling
switches connected across the RL load as shown in Fig. 3b.
The number of pulses per half cycle P can be calculated as
𝑃 =
𝐹𝑠
2𝐹
(1)
The duty ratio is defined as
𝐾 =
𝑡 𝑜𝑛
𝑇 𝑠
(2)
Where
Fs : Switching frequency in Hz.
F : Fundamental or supply frequency n Hz
ton: On time of switching pulses in secs.
Ts : Total Switching time in secs.
Fig.4 SRDPWM technique and the corresponding switching
pulses

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4.2 Asymmetrical Ramp-Triangular PWM
(ARTPWM)
In the ARTPWM control strategy of a three phase ac
chopper, the switching pulses are generated by comparing
three different negative slope ramps which are electrically
displace by 120o with common triangular carrier signal in
order to generate the pulses. The peak to peak value of
triangular waveform is 20V. The ZCD pulses are obtained
by stepping down the three phase voltages and then passed
through the zero crossing detectors. The PWM pulses and
ZCD pulses are ORed to generate switching pulses for six
switches of the three phase converter. The ZCD and inverted
ZCD pulses are fed to the freewheeling diodes that are
connected across the RL load. The triangular waveform is
varied for different switching frequencies like 4.2 KHz, 4.8
KHz, 5.4 KHZ and 6 KHz. The negative ramp signal peak
value is varied from 4V to 9V with different slopes in order
to vary the MI in linear region from 0.4 to 0.9. The ratio of
peak value of ramp to the peak value of triangular signal is
named as modulation index MI. The definition of
modulation index is
MI =
Vramp−peak
Vtri−peak
(3)
Fig.5 ARTPWM technique and the corresponding switching
pulses
4.3 Asymmetrical Sinusoidal PWM type-1
[ASPWM1]
In the ASPWM1 control strategy of a three phase ac
three different unidirectional AC signal [displaced by 120o]
with triangular signal as shown in Fig.6. The peak to peak
value of triangular waveform is 20V. The ZCD pulses are
obtained by stepping down the three phase voltages and then
passed through the zero crossing detectors.The PWM pulses
and ZCD pulses are ORed to generate switching pulses for
six switches of the three phase converter. The ZCD and
inverted ZCD pulses are fed to the freewheeling switches
connected across the RL load as shown in Fig. 3b. The
triangular waveform is varied for different switching
frequencies like 4.2 KHz, 4.8 KHz, 5.4 KHZ and 6 KHz.
The control signal sine wave peak value is varied from 4V
to 9V in order to vary the MI in linear region from 0.4 to
0.9. The ratio of peak value of sine wave to the peak value
of triangular signal is named as modulation index MI. The
definition of modulation index is
𝑀𝐼 =
𝑉 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑒−𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘
𝑉 𝑡𝑟𝑖−𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘
(4)
Fig.6
ASPWM1 technique and the corresponding switching pulses
4.4 Asymmetrical Sinusoidal PWM type2
[ASPWM2]
In the ASPWM2 control strategy of a three phase ac
unidirectional AC signal with positive triangular signal
whose peak value is 10V as shown in Fig.7. The peak value
of control signal which is unidirectional sine wave is varied
from 4V to 9V in order to vary MI in linear region from 0.4
to 0.9. The ZCD pulses are obtained by stepping down the
three phase voltages and then passed through the zero
crossing detectors. The PWM pulses and ZCD pulses are
ORed to generate switching pulses for six switches of the
three phase converter. The ZCD and inverted ZCD pulses
are fed to freewheeling switches that are connected across
RL load as shown in Fig. 3b. The ratio of peak value of sine
wave to the triangular signal is named as modulation index
MI. The definition of modulation index is
𝑀𝐼 =
𝑉 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑒−𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘
𝑉 𝑡𝑟𝑖−𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘
(5)
Fig.7 ASPWM2 technique and the corresponding switching
pulses

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5. SIMULATION OF AC TO AC CONVERTER CIRCUIT
Fig. 8 Simulation circuit of three phase AC to AC converter built using MATLAB/simulink software package.
The Harmonic profile, input power factor and efficiency of
the three phase converter is investigated using
MATLAB/simulink. The three phase buck AC chopper with
AC snubber simulation model is as shown in Fig. 8. The
system characteristics are input line voltage VL= 400 V,
50Hz supply, semiconductor element MOSFET IRFPE40,
snubber elements Rs=5.4K & Cs=3nF, load parameters are
Ro=529 Lo=0.9H. The Switching frequency Fs is varied
from 4.2 KHz to 6 KHz and corresponding P is varied from
42 to 60 pulses per half cycle which is related as given in
equation (1). The harmonic order up to 100th order is
considered in the analysis. The harmonic components
present in the source current and output phase voltage are
dependent on P as nP 1. Where n is an even number. For
instance, if P=42 [Fs=4.2HZ], then the order of the
harmonics present are 2P 1, 4P 1 etc [harmonic order 83,
85, 167, 169]. In this way selective harmonic elimination
can be done by selecting the proper value of P. Therefore for
P=42, harmonic order up to 82nd order can be eliminated in
the output phase voltage and source current.
The input side parameters like input phase voltage, source
current are sensed to calculate input side rms values, input
power factor and input power using sub models. Similarly
output side parameters like output phase voltage and current
are sensed to calculate their rms values, output power and
power factor by using sub models. Hence, the power factor
PF is modeled using the general definition as given in
equation (6).
Using all these parameters, the efficiency of the three phase
balanced converter can be calculated as per equation (7)
using sub models and displayed using numeric displays.
𝑃𝐹 =
𝑃s
s
=
𝑃s
𝑉𝑟𝑚s 𝐼 𝑟𝑚s
=
1
T
∫ vs
(t)is
(t)dt
T
0
√
1
T
∫ v2
s
(t)dt
T
0
√
1
T
∫ i2
s
(t)dt
T
0
(6)
The efficiency can be calculated as

_______________________________________________________________________________________________
 =
Po
Ps
=
1
T
∫ vo
(t)io
(t)dt
T
0
1
T
∫ vs
(t)is
(t)dt
T
0
(7)
Fig.9 Waveforms of three phase output voltage for duty
ratio K=0.5 and P=60 [Fs=6 KHz]
Fig.9 shows the waveforms of output phase voltages Van,
Vbn and Vcn using SRDPWM switching pattern. The output
line currents IA, IB and IC are sinusoidal in nature for
inductive load as shown in Fig. 10. In this case freewheeling
operation is considered and proper path is provided for
inductive load current irrespective of positive or negative
value by turning on the additional switches. The output
current is almost a sine wave without ripple content due to
freewheeling operation of inductive load. For Vs >0, the
positive inductive load current passes through freewheeling
bidirectional switches and negative inductive load current
passes through the source.
Fig.10 Waveforms of three phase output currents for P=60
[Fs=6 KHz]
Fig.11 Plot of output phase voltage Van versus duty ratio for
different switching frequency using SRDPWM technique
Fig.12 Plot of THD(Van) output phase voltage versus duty
ratio K for different switching frequency using SRDPWM
technique
Fig.11 indicates the plot of output phase voltage Van with
respect to the variation of duty ratio K. It is observed that
the output phase voltage Van remains same irrespective of
the switching frequency variation. The harmonic profile
changes with the increase in duty ratio as shown in Fig. 12.
The THD(Van) predominantly reduces with respect to
increase in number of pulses per half cycle P or switching
frequency Fs. For instance, selecting P=60 or Fs=6 KHz in
SRDPWM technique, up to 119th harmonic order are
eliminated and hence the THD(Vo) at K=0.9 is 2.57%. But
as the switching frequency is increased, the efficiency of the
converter decreases due to switching losses as shown in
Fig.13. The characteristics of these plots are similar in all
the PWM techniques.
Fig.13 Plot of efficiency versus duty ratio K for different
switching frequency using SRDPWM technique
c

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Fig.14 & Fig.15 indicates the harmonic profile of various
PWM switching patterns at switching frequency Fs=6KHz.
The THD of the output phase voltage is maximumin case of
ASPMW2 type [THD(Vo)=20.5% for K=0.4 to 18.5% for
K=0.9] and minimum in case of SRDPWM technique
[THD(Vo)=11.11% for K=0.4 to 2.57% for K=0.9].
Similarly The THD of the source current is maximum in
case of ASPMW2 type [THD(Is)=26.73% for K=0.4 to
29.08% for K=0.9] and minimum in case of SRDPWM
technique [THD(Is)=13.52% for K=0.4 to 5.24% for K=0.9].
The ARTPWM and ASPMW1 techniques are better than the
ASPMW2 technique with respect to THD of output voltage
and source current variation. These techniques have better
harmonic profile from K=0.4 to 0.6. But there is almost
constant or slight increase in THD values with respect to
variation of MI in these cases. Hence SRDPWM technique
is better with respect to harmonic profile than other
techniques with respect to variation of duty cycle K=0.6
onwards.
Fig.14 Plot of THD(Van) versus duty ratio for different
PWM technique with constant switching frequency of 6KHz
Fig.15 Plot of THD(Is) input line current versus duty ratio K
for different PWM technique with constant switching
frequency of 6KHz
Table-1 Analysis of power factor and efficiency with respect to duty ratio/MI for different PWM techniques
Table-1 indicates that the input power factor of the three
phase converter is more in case of ASPMW1 technique
[PF=0.76 to 0.86] for the variation of MI from 0.4 to 0.9.
Even though harmonic profile is better in case of SRDPWM
technique, since the input power factor is more in case of
ASPMW1 technique, the overall efficiency of the converter
is better using this technique. Therefore it is required to
consider both harmonic profile and power factor in order to
observe the overall efficiency of the three phase converter.
Hence ASPWM1 technique is being recommended for this
converter for better input power factor and efficiency of the
converter.
6. CONCLUSION
A three phase bidirectional AC to AC buck converter is
simulated and analyzed for electrical parameters such as
output phase voltage, input current, input power factor,
harmonic profile and efficiency using MATLAB/simulink
software package. The various PWM techniques such as
SRDPWM, ARTPWM, ASPWM1 and ASPWM2
techniques are adopted to analyze the three phase buck
converter behavior. The rms value of the output phase
voltage, output current and source current can be
significantly increased by varying the duty ratio Kin case of
symmetrical PWM control strategy and modulation index
MI in case of asymmetrical PWM control strategies
independent of variation in switching frequency. It is
observed from the simulation results that the ASPWM1
switching strategy gives more output phase voltage, input
power factor, efficiency by increasing MI and reduced low
order harmonics of output phase voltage and source current
by increasing the number of pulses per half cycle P or
switching frequency compared to other PWM techniques
rendering easy and economical filteration.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors wish to thank the BNM Institute of Technology
& its R&D centre in Electrical & Electronics Department for
providing lab facility in simulating and analyzing proposed
three phase bidirectional Buck AC converter for power
quality improvement.
REFERENCES
[1]. HAMED, S.A., “Steady-state modeling, analysis, and
performance of transistor-controlled ac power conditioning
systems”, IEEE Trans Power Electron, Vol.5, pp.305-313,
1990.
[2]. ADDOWEESH K.E., and MOHAMADEIN A.L.,
“Microprocessor based harmonic elimination in chopper
type ac voltage regulators”, IEEE Trans. Power Electron.,
Vol. 5, pp. 191-200, 1990.
[3]. BARBI I., FAGUNDES J.C. and KASSICK E.V., “A
compact ac/ ac voltage regulator based on an ac/ac high
frequency fly-back converter”, IEEE Power Electron. Spec.
Conf. Rec., pp.846-852, 1991.
[4]. HOFMEESTER N.H.M., VAN DEN BOSCH P.P.J.
andKLAASSENS J.B., “Modeling and control of an ac/ac
boost buck converter”. Proceedings of European conference
on Power electronics and applications, EPE’93, Vol. 7, pp.
85-89, 1993.
[5]. BHAVARAJU V.B. and ENJETI P., “A fast active
power filter to correct line voltage sags”, IEEE Trans. Ind.
Electron., 41,(3), pp. 333-338, 1994.
[6]. KWON B.H., MIN B.D. and KIM J.H., “Novel
topologies for AC choppers”, IIEE proc., Electr. Power
Appl., Vol.4, pp. 366-368, 1996.
[7]. SRINIVASAN S. and VENKATARAMANAN G.,
“Comparative Evaluation of PWM AC-AC converters”,
IEEE Power Electron. Spec. Conf. Rec., pp. 529-535, 1995.
[8]. G.M. HASHEM and M.K. DARWISH, “Generalized
symmetrical angle PWM technique for ac voltage
controller”, in proc. IEEE UPEC’04, pp 898-901, 2004.
[9]. A.M. Eltamaly, A.I. Alolah, R.M. Hamouda”
Performance Evaluation of Three-Phase Induction Motor
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BIOGRAPHIES
Venkatesha. K received his B.E.
degree in Electrical and Electronics
Engineering and the M.E. in Power
electronics from Bangalore University,
Bangalore in 1997 and 2005
respectively. He has secured First rank
in M.E from Bangalore University. He worked as a Lecturer
for Golden Valley College of engineering, Kolar Gold
Fields from 2000 to 2004. He is currently working as an
Associate Professor in BNM institute of Technology,
Bengaluru. He is pursuing PhD in BNMIT R&D centre
under Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belgaum. His
research interests are in the areas of Power Electronics and
Power Quality.
Vidya H.A received her B.E. degree in
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
from Mysore University, Mysore and
the M.Tech. in Computer Application in
Industrial Drives from Visvesvaraya
Technological University, Belgaum in
1996 and 2001 respectively. She has
secured First rank in M.Tech from
Visvesvaraya Technological University. She has completed
her PhD in electrical sciences in 2008 from M.S. Ramaiah
R&D centre under VTU. From 1997 to 2003, she worked as
a Lecturer in KVG College of Engineering, Sullia. She
worked at various capacities in BNM Institute of
Technology, Bengaluru from 2003 to 2015. Currently she is
heading the Department of Electrical & Electronics
Engineering, Global academy of technology, Bengaluru. Her
research interests are in the areas of Signal Processing, High
Voltage and Power Quality.

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