Reference design for predictive control of modular multilevel converters

This paper proposes a reference design technique for the control of Modular Multilevel Converters. Assuming balanced operation, a reduced-order model for the power converter is developed and its state trajectories are characterized in closed form. This allows one to specify desired references for the current and voltage at the load, and also for the circulating current and capacitor voltages in the converter. A simulation study using finite-set constrained predictive control illustrates advantages of the proposed method.