Minicomputer online control of d.c. link convertors

The implementation of a scheme using an online minicomputer to control the convertor of a model d.c. transmission system is described. The reasons for, and the limits of, the present investigation are defined. A brief description is given of the hardware designed to link the minicomputer to the model simulator. The development of algorithms to execute constant current, constant firing-angle and constant extinction-angle control, the last with predictive capability, are then described. These programs utilise the unique characteristics of a computer in terms of logical processing ability and memory storage. Test results demonstrating the performance and advantages of this control system are presented.