FPGA-based model predictive current controller for 3×3 direct matrix converter

The Direct Matrix Converter (DMC) is a single stage ac-ac power converter topology having no bulk energy storage elements. Model Predictive Control (MPC) is an optimization-based control method that solves a user-defined cost function to determine the optimum control action. This control technique can provide fast dynamic response. However, implementation of model predictive control method imposes a very high computational burden and requires significant hardware resources for real-time implementation. In this paper, FPGA-based real-time implementation of the DMC is proposed. For the proposed method, all control calculations and the safe commutation scheme are fully implemented in the FPGA. The need for another digital control platform, such as DSP or dSPACE, is eliminated. Finally, the proposed real-time implementation technique is validated experimentally.