SPICE3 simulation techniques in power electronics

This paper describes numerous SPICE3 techniques appropriate for power electronics. The recent updates made to SPICE at the University of Berkeley has made obsolete various SPICE simulation techniques often used in power electronics systems. Many new features have also been added to SPICE3 that allow many new circuit design oriented tasks to be performed. The introduction of the “B-statement”, and the comparison statements, the “U-ramp” and “U-statement” has simplified the structure of control and switching functions used frequently for power electronics. Various simulation techniques are illustrated with the use of a variable speed drive configuration using a ΔΔ, ΔY input transformer. The current source inverter uses a phase controlled rectifier to regulate the DC link current. The voltage source inverter uses a PWM technique to provide a low THD current on the induction motor side. The paper describes how d-q axis modeling in SPICE3 can be used to model the induction motor and the transformer. Experimental results are used to verify the SPICE3 simulations