First International Power and Energy Coference PECon 2006
November 28-29, 2006, Putrajaya, Malaysia
A New Single-Phase Inverter using Single-Phase
Matrix Converter Topology
M. K. Hamzah, Member, IEEE, S. Z. Mohammad Noor, and S. F. Abdul Shukor
Abstract -- This paper presents work in implementation of single-
phase matrix converter (SPMC) as a DC-AC inverter. The well-
known Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation (SPWM) was used to
synthesize the output waveform. The proposed work shows that
the SPMC proves to be a versatile topology extending the
capabilities beyond the direct AC-AC converter and four
quadrant DC chopper operations. Selected experimental results
are presented to verify the proposed operation.
Index Term - Inverter, Safe-commutation, Single-phase matrix
converter (SPMC), Sinusoidal pulse width modulation (SPWM)
I. INTRODUCTION
The Matrix Converter (MC) is an advanced circuit topology
that could offer an "all silicon" converter solution without the
use of reactive energy storage components. It offers many
advantages such as the ability to regenerate energy back to the
utility, sinusoidal input and output current and controllable
input current displacement factor [1]. The topology was first
proposed by Gyugyi [2] in 1976. Ever since, three-phase
circuit topologies [3] are developed, neglecting the single-
phase matrix converter (SPMC) that was first realised by
Zuckerberger [4]. All previous works have focussed attention
to direct AC-AC single-phase converter [3] and DC chopper
[5] but none on inverter operation.
This paper presents work in implementation of single-phase
matrix converter (SPMC) as a DC-AC inverter. The well-
known Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation (SPWM) was used
to synthesize the output waveform. Basic loads represented by
RL circuit were used for this investigation. Switch
commutation arrangements were also developed to avoid
voltage spikes in inductive loads. A simple LC filter was also
introduced to provide smooth output. Prior to practical
realisation a simulation model was developed. Results of
simulations and selected experimental results are presented to
verify that the proposed technique is feasible.
II. SPMC
The SPMC used for this work requires 4 bi-directional
switches as shown in Fig. 1, capable of blocking voltage and
conducting current in both directions [6]. In the absence of
discrete semiconductor device for this needs [7, 8], the
common emitter anti-parallel IGBT, diode pair as shown in
Fig.2 is used as described in reference[9]. A sample of the
switching state is restated in Fig. 3 to 6.
III. INVERTER
Inverter converts a DC input into an AC output statically with
output waveforms ideally sinusoidal. However the waveforms
of practical inverters are non-sinusoidal and contain certain
1-4244-0273-5/06/$20.00 C2006 IEEE
459
harmonics. For low and medium-power applications, square-
wave or quasi-square-wave voltage may be acceptable but for
high-power applications, low distorted sinusoidal wave forms
are required. With the advent of high-speed power
semiconductor devices, the harmonic contents of output
voltage can be minimized or reduced significantly by
switching techniques.
The DC to single phase AC matrix converter is presented
schematically in Fig.7 and 8 modified from those outlined in
Fig.3 to 6. However, since the SPMC is capable of conducting
current in forward and reverse directions, it is also possible
that the DC side in Fig.7 & 8 becomes the generating source
and the AC side becomes the receptacle. In this way the
SPMC can function either as a voltage source inverter (VSI)
or a current source inverter (CSI) supplying various shapes of
alternating current to the AC supply system. These currents
can then normally be used for canceling harmonic distortions
in the supply system and provide unity power factor operation
[12].
The circuit in Fig. 7 and 8 comprises four bidirectional switches,
which is sl, s2, s3 and s4 capable of conducting current in both
directions, blocking forward and reverse voltage (symmetrical
devices) and switching between states without any delays. The
DC to single-phase AC matrix converter will be designed and
controlled in such a manner that the fundamental of the output
voltage is:
vout = Vin COS C(ot (1)
The matrix switches, S follows:
(2)
s 3 S42
The sampling time Ts will be divided to 2-time intervals t1 and
t2 as follows:
Ts =-s- (1)
1 tn2
+
By this approach:
at t,: Sla and S4a will be on, with the rest turned off
t2: S2a and S3a will be on, with the rest turned off
The full switching sequence can be illustrated with Fig.7 and
Fig.8 which theoretically will result with sinusoidal waveform
being generated as Fig.17 and Fig. 18.
 460

Sla -
Si1b --

S2b IGBT DIODE

D
Current Current
AC( Flow 0 Flow
DIODE IGBT
S4b

Figure 1: AC-AC single-phase matrix converter topology Figure 2: Bi-directional switch

L

Sla Sib S2b KS2a Sla Sib S2b KS2a

Vi(t) C Vi1(f) ( )
Load Load

S3b a 4a S4b S3b S3b S4a S4b

Figure 3 State 1 AC Input (Positive cycle) Figure 4: State 2 AC Input (Negative Cycle)

Sla Sib S2b S2a Sla Sib S2b S2a

Vi(t) Vi(f) rf5

Load Load
S3b S3a S4a S4b S3b S3a S4a S4b

Figure 5: State 3 AC Input (Positive Cycle) Figure 6: State 4 AC Input (Negative Cycle)

A S3at S3b S2a S2b AL Sia S1b C S2a S2b

DCQ_ DC

S3a S3b S4a U S4b AL S3M S3b S4a S4b

Figure 7: Inverter Operation (Positive Cycle) Figure 8: Inverter Operation (Negative Cycle)
V V Triangle signal
DC voltage envelope
Reference
+ve cycl
x /
signal 1

I .. SPWM output
(positive cycle)
DC voltage envelope
SPWM output
_(negative cycle)

Figure 9: Sinusoidal Output Voltage Figure 10: Formation of SPWM

97us 97/&

S4a state 1
S2a state 2
S1a&S2b Sste
S3a & S4b ate 2

Figure 11: Switching Pattern for Commutation Strategy Figure 12: Tiniing Diagram for Commutation Strategy

250
200 -
150 -
100 -
50
0 -
-50
-100 -
-150 -
-200 -
-250
0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04
time (s)
Figure 13: Voltage across RL load without Commutation
IV. SINUSOIDAL PULSE WIDTH MODULATION
The Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation (SPWM) is a well
known wave shaping technique in power electronics as
illustrated in Fig. 10. For realization, a high frequency triangular
carrier signal, Vc is compared with a sinusoidal reference signal,
Vref of the desired frequency. The crossover points are used to
determine the switching instances.
Table 1: Switching State
StatePWM Switch Commutation
State PW wthSwitch
1 S4a Sla & S2b
2 S2a S3a & S4b
V. COMMUTATION PROBLEM
The use of SPWM Pulse Width Modulation in Fig. 1,
results with possible reversal voltage if inductive loads are
used, during switch turn-off [10], restated here briefly for
completeness.
Theoretically the switching sequence in the SPMC must be
instantaneous and simultaneous; unfortunately impossible for
practical realization due to the turn-off IGBT characteristic,
where the tailing-off of the collector current will create a short
circuit with the next switch turn-on. This problem occurs when
inductive loads are used. A change in current due to PWM
switching will result in current and voltage spikes being
generated resulting in the occurrence of a dual situation. First
current spikes will be generated in the short-circuit path and
secondly voltage spikes will be induced as a result of change
in the voltage direction across the inductance. Both will
destroy the switches in use due to stress. A systematic
switching sequence is required that allows for the energy
flowing in the IGBTs to decay.
In conventional converters, free-wheeling diodes are used for
this purpose. In SPMC these free-wheeling diodes do not
exist, hence switching sequence needs to be developed to
allow for energy to dissipate during commutation, thus
protecting the converter from being damaged due to those
spikes described.
VI. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
The Inverter using Single Phase Matrix Converter (SPMC)
was supplied by 30V DC and loaded with R = 50 Q, L = 4mH
461
4UJ
30
20
10
s
0
2
-10
-20
-30
0.05 0.06 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0 05 0 06
time (s)
Figure 14: Voltage across RL load with Commutation
and C= 3OuF operated at modulation index, ma = 0.5 and 1.0
with switching frequency, fs = 3kHz. Figure 13 is a sample
result obtained from simulation to illustrate the operation of
inverter in producing the square form of the output voltage
without safe-commutation arrangements. Notice the spikes
produced are of the order of 5 times (150 V) the input value of
30V. Figure 14 is the resulting waveform that is obtained with
implementation of safe-commutation strategy as proposed.
Figure 15a and 15b is the simulated results with those
measured experimentally in Figure 16a and 16b indicating
44ON" similar behaviour obtained. With the introduction of proper
filter, we could actually produce a sinusoidal waveform as
shown in Figure 17a, 17b, 18a and 18b. Further results are
shown in Fig. 19 to Fig. 22.
Since the SPMC is capable of conducting current in forward
and reverse directions, it is also possible that the DC side
becomes the generating source and the AC side becomes the
receptacle. In this way the SPMC can function either as a
voltage source inverter (VSI) or a current source inverter
(CSI) supplying various shapes of alternating current to the
AC supply system. These currents are then normally used for
canceling harmonic distortions in the supply system and
provide unity power factor operation. Samples of these
currents are shown in Fig.23 and Fig.24.
VII. CONCLUSIONS
The single-phase matrix converter (SPMC) has been
presented to operate as a DC-AC converter. The well-known
Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation (SPWM) was used to
synthesize the output waveform. Switch commutation
arrangements have been presented that allow dead time to
avoid spikes of non-ideal switches due to inductive circuits.
Prior to practical realisation a simulation model was
developed. There was good agreement between those
simulated and realised. Investigations into the use of LC filter
have indicated an improvement in the output voltage
waveform. In the work presented, the SPMC has also been
shown to operate as a controlled inverter providing various
shapes of alternating current to the AC supply system to
provide harmonic distortions cancellation and unity power
factor operation. These have shown that the SPMC proves to
be a versatile topology extending the capabilities beyond the
direct AC-AC converter and four quadrant DC chopper
operations.
 462

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C3 Max
296mV

C3 Pk-Pk
I964mV

03 RMS
1 77.OmV
in0

-20

a30

-40
0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.05
21 Jul 2006

Figure 15a: Matlab simulation output voltage across RL load without filter Figure l6a: Voltage without filter in experiment across RL load. Output
for 50Hz with ma= 0.7 and load R =500, L =4mH. voltage for 50 Hz with ma= 0.7, output voltage (scale Y: I1OV/Div X:

5mslDiv), dc coupling 4 channel isolator (I1OV/div)

Tek lOO0kS/s 1 Acqs

17.3OmV

C4 Pk-Pk

M N
OOm\
s' C!h4 -3.4MV 21Jul12006
~~~~~1 2 1 7 :2 9

Figure l5b: Matlab simulation output current across RL load without filter Figure l6b: Current without filter in experiment across RL load. Output
for 50Hz with ma= 0.7 and load R =500). current for 50 Hz with ma= 0.7, output current (scale Y: 200mAIDiv X:

5mslDiv), current probe amplifier (200mAIdiv).

95.4mV

C3 Pk-Pk
304mV

KE

--
am
ioomv-,
~ MS.OOm~S Ch3f- 156mV Aug
~~~~~~~~~1 8 :1 9 :3 2

Fig l7a: Matlab simulation output voltage across R with LC filter for 50Hz Fig 1l8a: Voltage in experiment across R loads with LC filter. Output voltage
with ma= 0.5 and load R =50Q, L =4mHf and C= 3OuF. for 50 Hz with ma= 0.5, output voltage (scale Y: 5VIDiv X: 5mslDiv), dc

coupling 4 channel isolator (5VIdiv).

Te k I OkS/s 26 Acqs
I
0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1 -

0 d
MO 04 Pk-Pk

-0. 1 -

-0.2 -

-0.3 -

.;.:k I - .-I
2 Aug 2006
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Figure l7b: Matlab simulation output current across R load with LC filter Figure l8b: Current in experiment across R load with LC filter. Output
for 50Hz with ma= 0.5 and load R =500, L =4mH and C= 3OuF. current for 50 Hz with ma =
0.5, output current (scale Y: 5OmAIDiv X:

5mslDiv), current probe amplifier v5OmAIdiv).

 463

Tek IO.
OkS/s 2 Acqs Tek 0. 0kS/s 3 Acqs
.......T ........T

C3 RMS C4 Pk-Pk
248.6mV 26. SmV
:.
C3 Pk-Pk C4 RMS
756m 8.50mv

C3 RMS
22. SmV 242.4mV
~~~. ....E

C4 RMS C3 Pk-Pk
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Ch 3 10OmVv 1 1 10 0.OmS u18:24:57 ZM 100mVSv Ch4 10. OmVlf 18:43:30

Figure 19: Voltage and current in experiment across R loads with LC filter.
Output voltage for 50 Hz with ma = 0.5, output voltage (scale Y: 2V/Div X:
Sms/Div), dc coupling 4 channel isolator (2V/div). Output current for 50 Hz
with ma = 0.5, output current (scale Y: lOOmA/Div X: Sms/Div), current
probe amplifier (100mA/div).
Figure 20: Voltage and current in experiment across R loads with LC filter.
Output voltage for 50 Hz with ma = 1.0, output voltage (scale Y: 5V/Div X:
Sms/Div), dc coupling 4 channel isolator (SV/div). Output current for 50 Hz
with ma = 1.0, output current (scale Y: 200mA/Div X: Sms/Div), current
probe amplifier (200mA/div).

C4 M ax
22 8 mV

C4 M ax
.. ... 22.8m

.. ..

38. 8mV

... ..
C4 RMS
1 3 .1

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12:21:58 1ifli 1 O. OmV a
MS.ms Ch4 9 4mV 21 Jul 2006
1 2:24:57
Figure 21: Voltage without filter in experiment across RL load Output Figure 22: Current without filter in experiment across RL load. Output
voltage for 50 Hz with ma = 1.0, output voltage (scale Y: 10V/Div X: current for 50 Hz with ma = 1.0, output current (scale Y: 200mA/Div X:
Sms/Div), dc coupling 4 channel isolator (lOV/div) Sms/Div), current probe amplifier (200mA/div)

10
8
6
C:

a)
4 ----- 1-

2
.i

U r / I\f
0)

-2 -4 _._ ._ -------------_ .1-6 ----------- 2D

a)
E
4
0
0) -6
-8
-10
Time (ms)
Fig 23 Sample of AC Current for Unity Power factor Operation Fig 24: Sample of AC Current for Harmonic Cancellation

IX. REFERENCES Modulation with Passive Load Condition", IEEE Sixth

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464
AC-AC Converter Synthesized Using Sinusoidal Pulse Width
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