6.622 Power Electronics Prof.

David Perreault

Lecture 17 - Inverters 1

Fourier Series Review

Break up a periodic signal as a sum of harmonically-related sin + cosine terms (or as a sume of complex
exponentials)

b0
f (t) = + Σ∞
n=1 an sin(nω0 t) + bn cos(nω0 t)
2
Coefcients can be calculated as:
Z
2
an = f (t)sin(nω0 t)dt
T <T >
Z
2
bn = f (t)cos(nω0 t)dt
T <T >

Some waveforms have special characteristics:

Half-wave symmetry x(t) = -x(t-
Even x(t)=x(-t) Odd x(t)=-x(-t) T
2)

No even harmonics a2k ’s, b2k ’s =

No cos terms bn ’s = 0 0 where k is an integer
No sin terms an ’s = 0 Calculating bn ’s are integrals
Calculating an ’s are integrals of Calculating a2k , b2k ’s are inte-
of odd function times (even) grals where frst half of integral
even function times (odd) sines, cosines, result is odd ∴ integral
result is odd ∴ integral = 0 exactly cancels 2nd half ∴ inte-
=0 gral = 0

Aside: waveform decomposition

Note that we can decompose any waveform into even and odd components, or alternatively into “Half-wave symmetric”
and “Half-wave repeating” components:
x(t) = xev (t) + xodd (t)
where xev has only the bn terms of the fourier decompo-
sition of x(t), including b0
x(t) + x(−t) xodd has only the an terms of the fourier decompo-
xev (t) =
2 sition of x(t)
x(t) − x(−t)
xodd (t) =
2
or

1
 x(t) = xhws (t) + xhwr (t) xhws is half-wave symmetric and has only
where the odd numbered fourier components of x(t),
a2k+1 , b2k+1 for integer k.
T xhwr is “half-wave repeating” and comprises only
x(t) − x(t − 2 )
xhws (t) = the even numbered fourier components of x(t),
2
T
a2k , b2k for integer k. Xhwr repeats every half-cycle
x(t) + x(t − 2 ) of x(t)
xhwr (t) =
2

We can use these s to sort out diferent portions of a waveform content in manners that can be useful,
and for thinking about how we might synthesize waveforms having desired properties (e.g. having no even
harmonics)
Note that even and odd portions of a given waveform x(t) are orthogonal to each other, as are the HWS
and HWR components:
Z Z
1 1
xev (t)xodd (t) = 0 xHW S (t)xHW R (t) = 0
T <T > T <T >

Inverter structure
Suppose one wants to create an AC waveform from a dc source. This can be accomplished with a bridge
of switches:

Switches on vx
S1 , S2 +vdc
S3 , S4 -vdc
S1 , S4 0
S2 , S3 0

If load/flter is resistive or inductive, switches should block forward voltage, carry bidirection current

Suppose we approximate a sinusoidal voltage by switching each switch on and of only once per cycle

• vx is odd (no bk terms; synthesize sine wave)

• vx is half-wave symmetric (no even harmonics, a2k , b2k terms = 0)

2
 X
Vx (t) = Vn sin(nω0 t)
n odd

Ex. @ f = 0 → square wave Vx (t) = Σn,odd 2v

πn sin(nω0 t)
dc

fundamental, 3rd, 5th, 7th, etc...

If load flters out harmonics

VL more pure than Vx , but difcult since harmonics are so close in frequency

What can we control by varying f?

1. Fundamental magnitude
2. Harmonic magnitudes

1. Control of fundamental
Z
2
V1 = Vx (t)sin(ωt)d(ωt)
2π <2π>
Z π−f
2
= Vdc sin(ϕ)dϕ
π f

4Vdc
V1 = cos(f )
π
→ by control of f we can control the fundamental magnitude.
2. Can also control harmonics:
Z
2
V3 = Vx (t)sin(wωt)dωt
2π <2π>
2vdc π−f
Z
= sin(3ϕ)dϕ
π f
2Vdc
= cos(3ϕ)|fπ−f
3π
2Vdc
= [cos(3f ) − cos(3π − 3f )]
2π
4vdc
= cos(3f )
3π
So if we choose f = pi ◦
6 = 20 , V3 → 0!
Then lowest harmonics will be the 5th (easier to flter)
However, we cannot control harmonics and fundamentals at the same time.
(Note: this value of f turns out to eliminate all triples (triple-n, 2n) harmonics! Thus we will have 5th,
7th, 11th, 13th)

3
 This case

Any multiple of this frequency will also balance out to cancel exactly!

⇒ eliminating 3rds makes it easier to flter

Note that there are other structures that can implement similar modulation and fltering:
Consider the topological dual

• Instead of dc voltage, use dc current (place large inductor on dc-side)

• instead of inductive flter, use capacitive flter (in parallel w/ loads)

• Instead of switches (carry bidirectional i → carry unidirection i), (carry unidirectional v → carry
bidirection v)

• switch control is diferent:

Time
“Dead time” in switching diferent

4
 In VSI:
S1 of before S2 on to avoid shorting Vdc ⇒ “dead
time” during which antiparallel diodes conduct

In CSI must turn S1 on before S3 of to prevent open circuits Idr . Series switch diodes will pick up
blocking of output.

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6.622 Power Electronics

Spring 2023

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