Experimental study of a direct matrix converter driving an induction machine

Matrix Converters (MC) are alternative circuits applied to direct AC-AC conversion, instead very common AC/DC-DC/AC converters. The first has advantages against the former, mainly about the bi-directional power flow, high power factor and has no large storage elements e.g. capacitor. Day by day the MC, mainly in embedded systems is noted an increase usage of its principles. The space-vector modulation (SVM) technique was adopted, resulting in practically sinusoidal waveforms on the input and output currents, with input displacement factor control and negligible harmonics amplitude. Besides a short revision of MC fundamentals, the paper presents a complete design procedure and implemented in a commercial power module of IGBTs connected in a Common-Collector (CC) configuration. The SVM methodology is presented through elucidative flowcharts from both the DSP and FPGA algorithms and their relationships. Finally, experimental results are presented of a prototype driving a 1 Hp, 4 poles AC induction motor.