Fast current control for low harmonic distortion at low switching frequency

The structure of the current control loop of an induction machine drive determines decisively the dynamic performance of the overall system. Fast current control is a prerequisite for dynamic decoupling between the torque and the flux commands. Standard solutions are well established for drives in the low- and medium-power ranges. The low switching frequency of high-power pulsewidth modulation inverters calls for a tradeoff in controller design between the low harmonic losses and torque ripple in the steady state on one hand, and fast dynamic response during the transients on the other. The problem is developed in detail. A variable-structure approach is proposed as the solution.