A unity power factor active rectifier with optimum space-vector predictive DC voltage control for variable frequency supply suitable for more electric aircraft applications

Power electronic converters are the enabling technology and the future of More Electric Aircraft (MEA). One of the major changes in MEA is that the main ac-bus frequency varies over a wide range (360–800Hz). Thus, for MEA applications the power electronic converters must operate under wild frequency conditions. In this paper, a three-phase unity power factor (UPF) active rectifier with optimum space-vector predictive dc voltage control (OSVP) for variable frequency supply is presented. The proposed controller takes into account the supply's frequency change by means of an instantaneous phase-locked-loop (PLL). Furthermore, only an L filter is required to meet the current distortion levels due to the high switching frequency of modern semiconductors and the fast response time of the proposed controller. The system is analyzed under load step changes as well model mismatch to demonstrate the validity and performance of the proposed OSVP control under variable frequency. Finally, the classical PI-based PQ-control scheme is used as a reference to benchmark the performance of the proposed control scheme. Though, both controllers perform similarly in terms of current Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), dc voltage regulation, and transient response, the OSVP control scheme has a simpler and more compact filter (i.e. L filter instead of an LCL filter), and stability index.