International Conference on Electrical, Electronics, and Optimization Techniques (ICEEOT) - 2016

Modelling and Simulation of Front End Converter for

Power Quality Improvement
Dhiren K. Rathod

M.T.Shah

Department of Electrical Engineering

Institute of Technology, Nirma University
Ahmedabad, India
dhiren.rathod@nirmauni.ac.in

Department of Electrical Engineering

Institute of Technology, Nirma University
Ahmedabad, India
manisha.shah@nirmauni.ac.in

Abstract This paper is concern with the modelling and

simulation of three phase front end converter for power quality
improvement. The space vector modulation technique is used to
control the three phase front end converter. The objective of this
work is to get unity power factor at the input side, dc link voltage
regulation against load variation and reduction of harmonics in
input side line current. The paper represents mathematical model
of front end converter. The simulation results confirm the validity
of the model and its control method.
Keywords- Space Vector Modulation (SVM), Front End
Converter (FEC), Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)

I. INTRODUCTION
In recent years, many power electronic converters utilizing
switching devices are being widely used in domestic,
commercial and industrial applications, ranging from few watts
to megawatts.. However these converters offer highly nonlinear characteristics and has poor power factor at input side and
harmonics in line current. The generation of harmonics and
poor power factor at line side give rise to the power quality
problems [1]. Also Conventionally, ac to dc power conversion
has been dominated by diodes or phase-controlled rectifiers
which act as nonlinear loads on the power system and draw
input currents which are rich in harmonics and have poor input
power factor, thus creating the power quality problems for
power distribution network and for other electrical systems in
the vicinity of rectifiers [2]. In view of the above mentioned
drawbacks, standards have been formulated to limit the amount
of distortion in current drawn from and injected into the utility
supply [3, 4]. For better power quality, high power factor
converters are employed for ac-dc conversion system which
draw almost a sinusoidal current from mains and maintain input
current in phase with supply voltage. In this paper modelling of
three phase front end converter is carried out.
Many control schemes have been adopted for front end
converters to improve the input power factor, shape the input
line current and to regulate the DC link voltage [5]. There are
many different PWM techniques available, such as sinusoidal
PWM, space vector PWM, delta modulation technique etc. used
by researchers [6].It has been found that the SVPWM technique
considered to be the best modulation technique because of the
advantage such as fast dynamic response, reducing switching

978-1-4673-9939-5/16/$31.00 2016 IEEE

frequency by using zero voltage vectors along with non-zero

voltage vector [7].
The space vector modulation (SVM) technique has two
excellent features. Its maximum output voltage is 15.5% greater
and the number of switching is about 30% less at the same
carrier frequency than with the sinusoidal PWM method [8].
The SVM technique confines space vectors to be applied
according to the region where the output voltage vector is
located [9]. In this paper space vector modulation technique is
utilized. The system is modelled using basic mathematical
equations and simulated using MATLAB/SIMULINK
software.

Fig.1 Schematic of Front End Converter

The objective of this paper is to provide the mathematical

modelling of front end converter and simulation of it for steady
state and dynamic condition using space vector modulation
scheme.
The paper is organized in the following manner: In Section I
power quality and related issues have been discussed in brief.
Section II provides idea about different FEC topologies and
mathematical modelling of three phase front end converter. In
Section III SVPWM based control strategies have been
discussed in brief using control block diagram. Section IV
describes the complete block diagram of front end converter
system used in simulation. Section V shows the simulation
results for proposed control technique for steady state and
dynamic conditions. Finally the paper concluded in section VI.

International Conference on Electrical, Electronics, and Optimization Techniques (ICEEOT) - 2016

II.

FEC

TOPOLOGIES AND MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF

THREE PHASE FRONT END CONVERTER

A. Front End Converter Topologies

To maintain the power supply quality at the acceptable level
in accordance with IEE 519 and IEC 61000-3, high power factor
converters are included as an inherent part of the ac to dc
converter system. Implementing power factor corrector means
reducing the phase difference between the line voltage and
current & shaping the line current to sinusoidal [10]. Fig.2,
Fig.3 and Fig.4 shows three most popular converter topologies
using advanced semiconductor switches [11]:
(a) Simple Boost Converter topology
(b) PWM Rectifier Module with Regenerative braking
(c) Vienna Converter
(d) Universal Bridge- Reversible PWM Converter

Fig.4. Vienna converter topology

Fig.5. Universal Bridge- Reversible PWM converter topology

Fig.2. Simple boost converter topology
TABLE I
THREE PHASE FEC TOPOLOGIES PERFORMANCE COMPARISON.
Feature
Topology

Topology(a)
Topology(b)
Topology(c)
Topology(d)

Fig.3. PWM Rectifier Module with Regenerative braking

Fig.5 represents the most popular topology used in ASD, UPS

and most recently as three phase PWM rectifier. This universal
topology has the advantages of using low cost three phase
module with a bidirectional energy flow capability. It provides
unity power factor and lesser value of line current harmonics.
However, it has the disadvantages of high per unit current rating
and poor immunity for shoot through faults [12].

978-1-4673-9939-5/16/$31.00 2016 IEEE

Dc
output
voltage
regulation
+

Low harmonic
distortion of
line current
-

Power factor
correction

+
+

+
+

+
+

Bidirectional
power flow
-

Table 1 shows the performance comparison between various

FEC topologies mentioned above. From comparison it can be
observed that the universal reversible PWM converter topology
is most suitable with the advantages mentioned above.
The converter connected to dc bus provide further desired
conversion for the loads, such as adjustable speed drives for
induction motors and permanent magnet synchronous motors
(PMSM), dc/dc converters, multi- drive operation etc.[13].

+
+

International Conference on Electrical, Electronics, and Optimization Techniques (ICEEOT) - 2016

B. Mathematical Model of Front End Converter

For universal Bridge- Reversible PWM Converter topology

the converter model can be defined by four basic equations,
one for each phase voltage and one for dc link current
availability. Therefore the mathematical model of FEC in three
phase stationary coordinates can be obtained as follows:

V a

V b

V
c

i a

= R i b

d
+L
dt

i a

i b

i
c

V sa

+ V sb

V
sc

C dV dc = i a s a + ib sb + ic sc V dc
dt
RL

Where

,
,
,

,
,

(1)

R
L
C

(2)

V +V +V

=0

(3)

= 0

(4)

3
(
2 id

i s
q

)V

di
L
dt

= V q i q R L Lid Vrq

978-1-4673-9939-5/16/$31.00 2016 IEEE

(7)

PROPOSED CONTROL STRATEGY

A. De-coupled closed loop control of FEC system

main voltages

Vd & V q . It is seen that Vrd and V rq can be

regulated to ensure the correctness of equations (8) and (9).

rd

= V 'rd + Li q + V d
rq

= V 'rq + Li d +V q

L di d = i d R1 + +V 'rd
dt

di
dt

= i q R1 + +V 'rq

(9)

(10)
(11)

It can be seen from above equations that the two axis current
are totally decoupled. The simple proportional integral (PI)
controllers are used in voltage and current regulation. Fig.6
displays the closed loop control system [16].

(5)
(6)

(8)

Putting equation (8), (9) in (5), (6) & (7), the following equations
can be acquired.

Fig.6. Block diagram of double close loop control scheme

q

The reference signal is not a sinusoidal in the stationary a-b-c

frame, but has a constant dc value in the synchronous rotating
d-q frame, so zero steady state error can be attained by using the
conventional PI controller [15].
.

The physical meaning of mathematical model of three phase

converter can be easily understood by above equations but the
three phase ac system is time-varying in nature, so it is really
hard to actually design the system. So the mathematical model
in the a-b-c three-phase stationary coordinates needs to be
converted into the d-q rotating coordinate, which is rotated at
the supply frequency. After performing the parks
transformation the model of the converter in the synchronous
rotating d-q frame can be given as,
L di d = V d i d R L + Li q V
rd
dt

dc

It could be easily noticed from equations (5) and (6) that there
was a strong coupling system. These equations show that d-q
current is related with both coupling voltages V and
, and
Vrq
rd

Here , , are the switching functions. Definition of threephase bridge switching function can be given as , , :
= l (x = a, b, c) on behalf of turn on the upper switch
while , , :
= 0 (x = a, b, c) on behalf of turn off the
upper switch while turn on the lower one [14].
Assuming balanced three phase supply system without neutral
connections,
a

dc

dt

III.

supply voltages;
line currents;
converter input voltages;
dc link voltage;
resistance of line reactor;
inductance of line reactor;
dc link smoothing capacitor;
Load resistance.

dV

International Conference on Electrical, Electronics, and Optimization Techniques (ICEEOT) - 2016

Fig.6 above shows the double closed loop control scheme

which is utilized to obtain decoupling of both the d-q axis
current. It can be easily seen that to realize the decoupling, its
just a matter of injecting each of the axis current results into the
other axis current component. The SVPWM method is realized
through d-q to - transformation to follow the ac current and to
regulate the dc link voltage.
B. Synthesization of Space Voltage Vector
Front end converter leg voltages can take eight different
possible states depending upon their switching state. These eight
states, in - coordinates, are represented as V0 to V7 in fig.7. V1
to V6 are called six active vectors because in any of these six
states one switch form upper three switches and two from the
lower three switches are in ON condition or vice versa. V0 & V7
are called two null vectors as in this case either all three upper
switches or all three lower switches are in ON condition
represented as (0 0 0 ) or (1 1 1) .The null vectors are all of the
same magnitude equal to
.Vs is space voltage vector of three
phase voltage.

B =

3 T
V
2 V dc

3 T
V
2 V dc

C =

3 T
V
2 V dc

3 T
V
2 V dc

(16)
(17)

The phase voltages in a-b-c coordinates can be obtained by

equations as shown below, in order to get the situation of all
synthesized Vs.
(18)
V =V
a

Vb =

1
3
V S +
V S
2
2

Vc =

1
3
V S
V S
2
2

(19)
(20)

For three phase symmetrical sine waves the following

relationship can be obtained and equation (21) can be utilized
for determining sector number.
If Va > 0 ; then A = 1 else A = 0
If Vb > 0 ; then B =1 else B = 0
If Vc > 0 ; then C = 1 else C = 0
A + 2B + 4C = N (Sector Number)

(21)

Fig.7. - Space vector representation of three phase PWM rectifiers leg

voltages.

To synthesize the space voltage vector Vs, the reference

space vector is sampled in every TS sub cycle and realized by
time averaging the three nearest space vectors in space vector
plane [17].For example, if reference vector, with magnitude Vs
and angle , is in sector I then it can be realized by applying
active vectors 1, 2 and zero vectors. The following equations are
utilized to calculate the timings T1, T2 and T0 [18].

T
3V S
2V dc
T
T2 = 3
V S
V dc
T1 =

3V S

T 0 = T S T1 T 2

(12)
(13)
(14)

Similarly, the other sector voltages can also be synthesized.

The expression developed using A, B, C as universal variables
can be write as shown below;
A=

T
3
V
V dc

978-1-4673-9939-5/16/$31.00 2016 IEEE

(15)

Fig.8. Switching sequences of sectors

To reduce the number of devices switches for a given PWM,

per transition state, only one switching is allowed. For that three
null vectors can be arranged in each sector as shown in fig. (8)
[19, 20]
IV.

BLOCK DIAGRAM OF SVM BASED FRONT END

CONVERTER

Fig.9 shows the block diagram of FEC applying the

proposed SVPWM method. The block diagram of front end

International Conference on Electrical, Electronics, and Optimization Techniques (ICEEOT) - 2016

converter system can be divided into: the main circuit, including

AC source, inductance of AC side, IGBTs, resistance and
capacitance of the DC side and a control circuit.

shown in fig.13 that the line current wave form of phase A has
THD of 3.59% which is well below the required limits of
various international standards.

Fig.10 Line current and voltage of phase A for steady state

Fig.11 Simulation results for sector change by space vector

Fig.9 Block diagram of Front End Converter system

V.

SIMULATION AND RESULT ANALYSIS

A. System parameters used for Simulation

In order to verify validity of the proposed controller,
simulations results are given in the paper. The following
parameters are selected for the simulation:
Source phase voltage (rms) = 110 V, Source boost inductance
= 5 mH, DC bus capacitor = 2200 F, Reference DC link
voltage is selected as 400 volts.

Fig.12. DC link voltage across capacitor for steady state operation

B. Simulation results for steady state operation

Summary of results of simulation for steady state operation
of the FEC are shown.Fig.10 shows the input current and
voltage waveform for phase A. From results we can see that
the voltage and current are in phase with each other and nearly
unity power factor has been maintained and line current is also
nearly sinusoidal. Fig.11 shows how space vector changes its
sectors as per the requirement of reference dc voltage. Fig.12
shows the dc link voltage regulation at 400V. It has been also
Fig.13. FFT analysis of input line current of phase A (p.u.)

978-1-4673-9939-5/16/$31.00 2016 IEEE

International Conference on Electrical, Electronics, and Optimization Techniques (ICEEOT) - 2016

C. Simulation results for Transient operation

Fig.14 shows the results of input current and input voltage
for phase A. It can be seen from the results that the controller is
working properly even under the dynamic load variation of
500 to 50 for keeping the current and voltage almost in
phase and the DC link is maintained at 400 V as indicated in
fig.14.The control strategies has also been checked for verifying
its effectiveness for regenerative action.Fig.15 shows the
voltage and current for phase A under regenerative operation of
front end converter. It is seen that the unity power factor is
maintained, as current and voltage are 1800 out of phase due to
reverse power flow.
Fig.15. DC link voltage for load variation from 500 to 50 at t=0.25 m
Sec and 50 to 5 at t=0.6 mSec

Fig.14. Line voltage and current for Phase A for load variation 500 to 50
at t=0.25 mSec and 50 to 5 at t=0.6 mSec
Fig.16 Phase A voltage and current for regenerative action

VI. CONCLUSION
[4]

In this paper mathematical modelling and simulation are

presented in this paper. It is observed that unity power factor
is obtained for both steady state and transient conditions
Irrespective of the load variation, the dc output voltage is
maintained constant which shows the effectiveness of applied
control strategy. The %THD of the three phase line current is
3.59% which is much less as compared to that of diode bridge
rectifier and is well within the standards issued by regulatory
agencies such as IEEE- 19,IEC1000, IEC 61000-3-2 etc. It is
found that frontend converter worked satisfactorily to provide
unity power factor with constant voltage
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