Low-Cost Microcontroller Based Implementation of Finite Control Set Model Predictive Control for Front-End Power Converters

Abstract:
Nowadays, the continuous evolution of control unit technologies makes the implementation of sophisticated control algorithms possible even in low-cost devices, avoiding the use of sophisticated DSPs and FPGAs. Among the most advanced control strategies devoted to power converters, “Model Predictive Controls” (MPCs) promise a significant performances improvement compared to standard current vector-based control methods, by exploiting an analytical representation of the system while satisfying a set of constraints. In this paper the effectiveness of a “Model Predictive Control – Discrete Space Vector Modulation” MPC-DSVM control technique will be investigated through simulations and its implementation evaluated on a last generation low-cost Microcontroller Unit (MCU), underlying pros and cons.