A simple modulation scheme for a regenerative Cascaded Matrix Converter

The direct matrix converter (DMC) is an AC-to-AC direct power conversion topology based on controlled bi-directional switches that can generate variable output voltages and sinusoidal source currents with unity power factor. This basic module is used to study a multilevel converter which combines the characteristics of multi-cell topologies and direct power conversion, resulting a Cascaded Matrix Converter (CMC) based on 3x2 direct matrix converter cells. This converter is fully regenerative, with stepped output voltage and sinusoidal source current. A simple sinusoidal phase-shifted PWM scheme is presented. The modulation scheme is developed using a simple digital logic and it is tested in regenerative operation and dynamic response, achieving a very good performance.