A new Resonant Voltage Controller for fast AC voltage regulation
of a single-phase DC/AC power converter
Jean-Claude Le Claire
LARGE - GE44 - Bd de 1'Universite - BP 406 - 44602 SAINT-NAZAIRE CEDEX
. , 40 17 26 06 - Fax : 33 (0)2 40 17 26 18
Phone: 33 (0)2
E-mail: jclc@ge.polytech.univ-nantes.fr
Abstract
Some recent papers describe a novel Resonant
Current Controller, which is well suited for Voltage
Supply Inverter's current control. Here, we study the
Resonant Voltage Controller, which involves a single
feedback loop as the Resonant Current Controller
does. It controls the converter's low-pass filter output
voltage and the inverter's maximum switching
frequency. Theoretical results justify the principle
involved in this recent pulse width modulation.
In order to demonstrate its excellent capabilities,
experiments have been done using resistive and
inductive loads. Spectrum analysis illustrates the
accurate tracking of a sinewave reference. Then,
experiments have been done using a rectifier load too.
Even if the load is non-linear, the output voltage well
tracks the reference. Moreover, an arbitrary
waveform tracking has been performed. In short, all
measurements confirm the excellent behaviour of the
Resonant Voltage Controller.
Keywords: Pulse width modulation strategies, Power
converter, AC output voltage control, Single-phase
voltage source, High dynamic power amplifier.
1 Introduction
Pulse Width Modulation techniques allow the
converter output voltage and current controls. For an
accurate current or voltage tracking, performances
targeted are often reached by means of hysteresis
techniques [l]. If a high dynamic is required, then a
local hardware feedback loop needs to be
implemented [2]. Therefore, electronic boards
involving analog components or simple logic
hnctions offer users the high dynamics needed.
Thus, a Resonant Current Controller (RCC) had
been recently studied [3]. Its specifications are fast
response, very low sensitivity to the load's electrical
parameters, extremely low harmonic distortion, and a
maximum inverter switching frequency firmly
controlled. This novel pulse modulator simultaneously
combines two structures: the first acts at lower
frequencies for current regulation i.e. the current
tracking mode and the second acts at higher
0-7803-7 156-9/02/$10.000 2002 IEEE - 1067 -
frequencies for switching frequency control by means
of a voluntary resonant mode [4].
In case of an AC voltage regulation, the system
can involve an inner loop in order to control the VSI
output current going through an added LC low-pass
filter. The inductor current control can be done by the
RCC [SI. Therefore, the voltage regulation needs two
feedback loops: an inner loop for current control and
an external loop for voltage control.
In this paper, for controlling the output voltage, we
use the new Resonant Voltage Controller (RVC)
which involves a single loop. Thus, we get a high
dynamic voltage regulation. In order to understand
the RVC operation, the following explanations first
quickly describe the basic RCC principle, then
describe the RVC operation. Then, the inverter's
maximum converter switching frequency value can be
evaluated. Thereafter, for checking the RVC's AC
regulation, experiments involving resistive, inductive
and rectifier loads are performed. We also make the
voltage source tracking an arbitrary waveform.
2 Resonant Current Controller
Before making the RVC analysis, we have to
remember the RCC principle [ 3 ] . The following figure
shows one of the basic RCC schemes, where a linear
loop performs a current to voltage feedback on the
inverter. The transfer functions FI@) F2@) and RT
depict the load voltage to current transfer function, a
second order low-pass fdter transfer function and a
current sensor transfer function, respectively. The
transfer hnctions Fl('p) Fz(p) are given by:
Figure 1: Basic scheme of the RCC
PCC-Osaka 2002
where 6 is the F2's damping factor and fo, i.e. wo
divided by 2n, the F2's natural frequency.
The non-linear voltage amplifier feeds the voltage
signal u(t) to the load ( F I ) which was assumed to be
inductive (R,L) [3]. This concept simultaneously
combines two structures: the first acts at lower
frequencies for current regulation i.e. current tracking
mode and the second acts at higher frequencies for Figure 3: Basic RCC at higher frequencies:
switching frequency control by means of a voluntary resonant mode
resonant mode [4]. These modes are illustrated by the
following figures "Fig. 2" and "Fig. 3". Using the
inductive load (RJ), the linear part of the system
3 Resonant Voltage Controller
I

becomes a third order low-pass transfer hnction H(p)

defined as follow [3]:
By considering the Hou) phase rotation versus
frequency, we get a voluntary resonant mode. At the
resonant frequencyf&, F l produces a phase rotation
nearly equal to -90 degrees and the second order low-
pass filter F2 a phase rotation nearly equal to -90
degrees too. Assuming the H(ju)'s imaginary part to
equal zero, we define this frequency as follows [3]:
3.1 Resistive load
Here, we investigate the new RVC. The voltage
control operation involves a single feedback loop as
the RCC does. By means of a voltage sensor, the LC
low-pass filter output voltage goes back to the
modulator. The simplified scheme is given as follows
"Fig. 4". The load could be resistive, inductive or
more complex, but we consider a resistive load.
Thereafter, the F&) transfer hnction depicts the
comparison between the converter output voltage
vo(t) and the inverter output voltage u(t) and is given
by:

By comparing the FI'S cut-off fiequency f&,

"s WOLC
which is hnction of TI, with the F2's natural
frequency, we deduce that the maximum converter where r, L j 'C and Rs respectively depict the
switching frequency mainly depends on the F2's resistance neglected and inductance values of the
analog filter natural frequency. Then, the close loop smoothing filter's coil, the capacitance value of the
minus 360 degree phase rotation is slightly sensitive smoothing filter capacitor, and the resistance value of
to the load electrical parameters. the external load.
output Then, in order to get the voluntary resonant mode,
the chosen F2's filter combines a low-pass and band-
i(tf pass filters and is given by:
1+- P
K . "OX
2 9
1+---+, P2
Figure 2: Basic RCC at lower frequencies: "0 "b - "0 "t
current tracking mode

I 1

I sensor

Figure 4: Basic scheme of the Resonant Voltage Controller (RVC)

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 Thus, the transfer finction H(p) becomes: This formula is more complex than the RCC's
oscillation frequency one. But, the following remarks
can be done.
When using a high fo frequency value or some
realistic parameter's values, it can be notice that the
resonant frequency fosc closely equals the F2's filter
fo frequency too. In order to illustrate this result, we
take into account the following values:
L = 3mH, r = 0, C f = lOpF, fo = lOkHZ, 6 = 0.707,
Now, we modify the H e ) formula as follows: (f equals to 17052, 5452 or 2752.
Thus, the next Fl(i0) BODE plots show a phase
rotation close to -180 degrees at the highest
frequencies "Fig. 5". The -H(jw)'s phase crosses the 0
degree phase rotation point at the F2's natural
frequencyfo whose value equals lokHz "Fig. 6". This
BODE plot agrees with the fosc formula when using
highfo values.
In short, the Resonant Voltage Controller makes
entering the system in a voluntary resonant mode (and
gets the voltage regulation under control). Moreover,
the RVC's resonant mode slightly depends on the
load's resistive value. Results are similar when using
realistic inductive loads too as it will be shown.

gain in dtl

20

0
By assuming the Den[H(iw)l's imaginary part to
be equal to zero, we can define the RVC's resonant -20

frequency fosc formula which closely equals the IO' 10

'
maximum switching frequency:

10' 1'0 '01 1'

0
hcquency in Hz

Figure 5: Fl(iw) module and phase

gsln in dB

t
10' 1'0 1'0
lo* frequency In Hz
phase in degrees

10' 1 0' t 0" 1'0

sic= ~R,L,C,2
frequency in Hz

(9) Figure 6: -H(ico) module and phase

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3.2 Inductive load For more information, it can be notice that the
smoothing capacitor and the inductive load involve a
Now, we take into account that the load could be parallel resonant circuit whose frequency o+,., is
inductive. We define this load using the R, and L, given by:
parameters. Thus, the FI@) transfer hnction
becomes:

Its frequency value is lower than the smoothing

It is a third order low-pass transfer function. If the
frequency is greater than a couple of hundred Hertz,
this transfer function can be simplified. Indeed, in
such a case, it closely equals a second order transfer
finction which is given by:
filter one. Then, this parallel resonant circuit doesn't
disturb the RVC operation.
4 Experimental results
An electronic board using analog components
implements the RVC scheme and permits to verify the
previous theoretical results and the RVC's behaviour
(dynamic, linearity).

4.1 Inductive load

This second order transfer fbnction suits to the
Resonant Voltage Controller operating mode. Then, The experimental parameter's values are given by:
the resonant smoothing filter frequency is defined by:
f o = 20.1lrHz F2's natural frequency
6 = 0.707 F2's damping factor
GPBHF= 10.09 F2's band-pass gain
Lf = 3mH smoothing inductor
Cf = 10pF smoothing capacitor
Function of the Lf and L, values, the new K y = 0.02 voltage measurement ratio
smoothing filter resonant frequency is higher than the fOBF= 923Hz Fq's natural frequency
ffequency previously defined (5). This must be take E = IOOV DC bus voltage
into account when choosing the Lf inductance value. f- = 200Hz input sinewave frequency
Using realistic parameter values, the BODE plots u=70v input sinewave amplitude
could illustrate the voltage transfer hnction using the
R, = 8.5452 load resistance
FI@) and the simplified FIHF@) formulas. They
show that the smoothing filter resonant frequency
doesn't change anymore "Fig. 7":
foLC =3y;g
L, = 21mH load inductance
smoothing filter resonant frequency
parallel resonant circuit frequency
current sensor transresistance
gain in dB

Here we check the Resonant Voltage Controller

behaviour. For information, the load current, which is
not necessary, is measured using a current sensor
whose transresistance value equals 1.35V/A (RT).
1oz 1oa The next figure "Fig. 8" shows the experimental
IO'
Dhaae in deureca
frcqucnw in '' '01
input and output voltages (times Ky) and the load
current (times RT). It illustrates the phase shift, then
the inductive load. Measurements demonstrate the
very low harmonic distortion. Indeed, the
experimental output voltage spectrum shows
frequency in Hz
harmonic and inter-modulation lines whose
amplitudes are closely bound to -45dB "Fig. 9".
Therefore, the harmonic distortion's value of the load
Figure 7: F @ ) and FIHNCO)
module and phase current is extremely low.

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 OdB -

-50dB -

Figure 8: Input and output voltages

and output current
I
OH2 25kHZ
Figure 9: Experimental voltage spectrum

4.2 Rectifier load 4.3 Arbitrary waveform tracking

Now, the experimental load is a rectifier. A Using an arbitrary waveform generator and the
capacitor C, smoothes the DC voltage applied to a following parameters, E = lOOV, R, = 41!2, we get
resistor R,.. Thus, the inverter's load can be simplified the output voltage compared with the reference, and
to a LC circuit plus a time function impedance. The the smoothing inductor current "Fig. 11" and
experimental parameters are given by: "Fig. 12". As shown by the next figures, the RVC
demonstrates its ability to track any reference
E = lOOV power converter's DC voltage "Fig. 11". Here, the reference voltage peak and
& = 200Hz input sinewave fiequency smoothing inductor current peak respectively reach
U = 70V input sinewave amplitude 85 Volts and 4 Amps
Rr = 170Q resistive rectifier load
Cr = 1000pF smoothing rectifier capacitance

Even if the load's instantaneous current equals

zero or reaches three Amps peak, the output voltage
remains sinusoidal. The output voltage spectrum is
not shown. For information, the intermodulation lines
are bounded to -40dB. It must be notice, that the
sinewave frequency equals 200Hz. Thus, the tracking
of the reference should be better for a 50Hz or 60Hz
reference. In short, such experiment proves that this
modulator can be involved in U P S applications.
Figure 11: Reference and output voltages

Figure 10: Input and output voltage

and output current Figure 12: Smoothing inductor current

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4.4 Resonant Voltage Controller board
For infomation, the R v c board schematic is
illustrated by the following figure, which also shows
the inverter, the LC smoothing filter, the load and the
voltage measurement instrument. Due to the added
'ref(')
Reference
fl
fnst order
voltage filter
input
- F20?) t-
BOARD
Figure 13: Simplified board scheme
5 Conclusion
This paper deals with the new Resonant Voltage
Controller (RVC). Based on the Resonant Current
Controller (RCC) principle, the RVC implements a
single voltage to voltage control loop. The converter
voltage regulation is under control and the converter
maximum switching fiequency too. Thus, the power
converter acts as a linear voltage source. Using
resistive, inductive and rectifier loads, the RVC
demonstrate an excellent behaviour. The output
voltage accurately tracks the reference one, and the
harmonic distortion is extremely low. For these
reasons, the RVC well suites for applications
involving high performance single-phase DC/AC
power converters.
References:
[11 B. K. BOSE, "An adaptative hysteresis-band
current control technique of voltage-fed PWM
inverter for machine drive system", IEEE
Transactions on industrial electronics, vol. 37,
nos, October 1990.
[2] L. MALESANI, "High-performance hysteresis
modulation technique for active filters", IEEE
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F4 filter, the DC component doesn't go through the
F2 filter, so preventing from offset voltage
amplification. The F3k filter reduces the static error
as it does in the RCC scheme [3]. The other filters are
used for binding the bandwidths.
(2 states)
High-pass filter
F4 @) t.low-pass filter
voltage
sensor -
Low-pass filter KV
&
Transactions on power electronics, vol. 12, n"5,
September 1997.
[3] JC. Le Claire, S. Siala, J. Saillard, R. LeDoeuff,
"A new pulse modulation for voltage supply
inverter's current control", 8th European
Conference on Power Electronics and
Applications, Lausanne, Switzerland, September
1999
[4] JC. Le Claire, S. Siala, J. Saillard, R. Le Doeuff,
1997, 14 January 1999. Intemationd patent
PCT/FR98/10390, "Method and device for
controlling switches in a control system with
variable structure with controllable frequency",
publication n"W09910 1925
[SI JC. Le Claire, S. Siala, J. Saillard, R. Le Doeuff,
"A resonant current controller for fast AC voltage
regulation", 8th International Conference on
Power Electronic and Variable Speed Drives,
London, September 2000.
[6] JC. Le Claire, S. Siala, J. F. Yhuel, "A resonant
current controller for Three-phase Voltage Source
PWM Inverter", 9th International Conference and
Exhibition on Power Electronics and Motion
Control, Kosice, Slovak Republic, September
2000.