Power-HIL Application Analysis of a 3-level Inverter for PMSM Machine

Abstract

Power-HIL simulation is one of the emerging areas in power electronics development nowadays. It offers a convenient test environment for the whole power electronics hardware but eliminates the necessity of motor test benches and rotating machines. Selecting a suitable power amplifier for the simulator is however a challenging task. Switching power supplies can be an interesting option as Power Amplifier, but they have to offer superior power capability and dynamic performance over the DUT (Device Under Test), while maintaining high enough switching frequency to meet the dynamic requirements as well. Using commercially available inverters as Power Amplifiers would be an attractive option, if they can achieve the desired emulation accuracy. This paper investigates the possibility of using a common 3-level inverter with an L-C-L coupling network as a Power Amplifier for a P-HIL simulator, to emulate a PMSM (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Machine) machine.