Space vector modulation applied to three-phase three-switch two-level unidirectional PWM rectifier

This work presents a methodology to apply space vector modulation to a three-phase three-switch two-level Y-connected unidirectional pulsewidth modulation (PWM) rectifier. Converter switching stages are analyzed to determine switch control signals for space vector modulation. A switching sequence is proposed in order to minimize the number of switch commutations and to reduce the switching losses. Duty cycle functions are determined and the desired switching sequences are performed by a simple PWM modulator with no need of to determine the present sector of vector. For this propose is just necessary to impose the desired current sectors from input voltage references. The vector control structure used with the proposed modulation technique is also described. In order to validate the proposed modulation technique, experimental results are presented for a 20 kW prototype.