A General PWM Strategy for Four-Switch Three-Phase Inverters

A general pulsewidth modulation (PWM) method for control of four-switch three-phase inverters is presented. The proposed vector PWM offers a simple method to select three or four vectors that effectively synthesize the desired output voltage, even in presence of voltage oscillations across the two dc-link capacitors. The method utilizes the so called space vector modulation, and includes its scalar version. Different vector combinations are compared. The effect of Wye and delta motor winding connections over the pulse width modulator is also considered. The common mode voltage generated by the four-switch three-phase converter is evaluated and compared to that provided by the standard six-switch three-phase inverter. Simulation and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach.