IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics 

Volume 53,  Number 1, Feb 2006           Access to the journal on IEEE XPLORE     IE Transactions Home Page



                 Special Section Papers on Sensorless Control of Induction Motors
53.1.1    M.P. Kazmierkowski, "Acknowledgment of Reviewers," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 2- 4, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Not Available

53.1.2    J. Holtz, "Sensorless Control of Induction Machines—With or Without Signal Injection?," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 7- 30, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Controlled induction motor drives without mechanical speed sensors at the motor shaft have the attractions of low cost and high reliability. To replace the sensor, information on the rotor speed is extracted from measured stator currents and from voltages at motor terminals. Vector-controlled drives require estimating the magnitude and spatial orientation of the fundamental magnetic flux waves in the stator or in the rotor. Open-loop estimators or closed-loop observers are used for this purpose. They differ with respect to accuracy, robustness, and sensitivity against model parameter variations. Dynamic performance and steady-state speed accuracy around zero speed range are achieved by signal injection, exploiting the anisotropic properties of the machine. The overview in this paper uses signal flow graphs of complex space vector quantities to provide an insightful description of the systems used in sensorless control of induction motors.

53.1.3    M. Depenbrock, C. Evers, "Model-based speed identification for induction Machines in the whole operating range," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 31- 40, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A speed observer for induction machines without rotational transducers is presented. In contrast to known adaptive observer strategies, the proposed scheme uses-beside the conventional current difference-its integral and a new pair of stretch-turn operators not only to avoid the known instability region at braking but to obtain furthermore a constant gain. To ensure operation with very low stator frequencies, an elimination of parasitic dc components is presented additionally. Characteristics are explained and verified by measurements.

53.1.4    M. Boussak, K. Jarray, "A high-performance sensorless indirect stator flux orientation control of induction motor drive," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 41- 49, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A new method for the implementation of a sensorless indirect stator-flux-oriented control (ISFOC) of induction motor drives with stator resistance tuning is proposed in this paper. The proposed method for the estimation of speed and stator resistance is based only on measurement of stator currents. The error of the measured q-axis current from its reference value feeds the proportional plus integral (PI) controller, the output of which is the estimated slip frequency. It is subtracted from the synchronous angular frequency, which is obtained from the output integral plus proportional (IP) rotor speed controller, to have the estimated rotor speed. For current regulation, this paper proposes a conventional PI controller with feedforward compensation terms in the synchronous frame. Owing to its advantages, an IP controller is used for rotor speed regulation. Stator resistance updating is based on the measured and reference d-axis stator current of an induction motor on d-q frame synchronously rotating with the stator flux vector. Experimental results for a 3-kW induction motor are presented and analyzed by using a dSpace system with DS1102 controller board based on the digital signal processor (DSP) TMS320C31. Digital simulation and experimental results are presented to show the improvement in performance of the proposed method.

53.1.5    M. Comanescu, L. Xu, "An improved flux observer based on PLL frequency estimator for sensorless vector control of induction motors," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 50- 56, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper presents an improved method of flux estimation for sensorless vector control of induction motors based on a phase locked loop (PLL) programmable low-pass filter (LPF) and a vector rotator. A PLL synchronized with the voltage vector is used for stator frequency estimation. The pure integration of the stator voltage equations is difficult to implement and LPFs with a fixed cutoff provide good estimates only in the relatively high frequency range-at low frequencies, the estimates fail in both magnitude and phase. The method proposed corrects the above problem for a wide range of speeds. Simulations and experimental results on a 0.25-hp three-phase induction machine verify the validity of the approach.

53.1.6    C. Lascu, I. Boldea, F. Blaabjerg, "Comparative study of adaptive and inherently sensorless observers for variable-speed induction-motor drives," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 57- 65, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: State observers are key components of modern ac drives. The paper presents a comparative analysis of two state observers for induction-motor (IM) drives: the speed-adaptive observer and the inherently sensorless observer. The adaptive observer employs the time-variable full-order motor model with the rotor speed as the adaptive quantity. Thus, the speed estimation accuracy significantly impacts on the flux observer. It is shown that the popular model reference adaptive system (MRAS) speed estimator displays reduced bandwidth, and does not deliver adequate performance for the flux estimation. The inherently sensorless observer employs a full-order dual reference-frame model in order to eliminate the speed adaptation. In this way, it becomes decoupled from the speed estimator and its performance is superior to that of its adaptive counterpart. Theoretical aspects and comparative simulation results are discussed for both observers. Comparative experimental results for both observers are presented. Very low-speed-operation (3 r/min) capability of the drive with the sensorless observer is demonstrated.

53.1.7    Kyo-Beum Lee, F. Blaabjerg, "Reduced-order extended luenberger observer based sensorless vector control driven by matrix converter with nonlinearity compensation," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 66- 75, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper presents a new sensorless vector control system for high-performance induction motor drives fed by a matrix converter with nonlinearity compensation. The nonlinear voltage distortion that is caused by commutation delay and ON-state voltage drop in the switching devices is corrected by a new matrix converter model. A reduced-order extended Luenberger observer is employed to bring better response in the whole speed operation range, and a method to select the observer gain is presented. Experimental results are shown to illustrate the performance of the proposed system.

53.1.8    M. Hasegawa, "Robust-adaptive-observer design based on /spl gamma/-positive real problem for sensorless induction-motor drives," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 76- 85, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper proposes a design of a robust-adaptive full-order observer based on the /spl gamma/-positive real problem for sensorless induction-motor drives. The adaptive full-order observer is known to become unstable in a major part of the regenerating-mode low-speed operation, and this prevents the sensorless vector controller from operating an induction motor successfully. In this paper, a design of the observer gain for both stable speed identification and robust flux phase estimation and an adaptive scheme for stator resistance identification are proposed. First, the error system of the adaptive full-order observer is reconsidered-requirements of this observer with a speed identifier are described, in which a simple robust observer gain design in the sense of H/sub /spl infin// optimization is not useful in reality. Next, in order to satisfy all the requirements of the robust adaptive observer, the design of the observer gain based on the /spl gamma/-positive real problem and the adaptive scheme for stator resistance are described. Finally, several experimental results show the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed design.

53.1.9    G. Poddar, V.T. Ranganathan, "Sensorless double-inverter-fed wound-rotor induction-Machine drive," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 86- 95, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The basic operation of a wound-rotor induction-motor drive fed by inverters on the stator as well as the rotor side is discussed. Different modes of operations are defined and explained based on power flow on both the sides of the machine. The sensorless motor control scheme consists of V/f-type direct frequency control on one side, with either vector control or direct torque and flux control on the other side. The machine operates up to twice the rated speed in either direction, with full flux and torque, thereby producing up to twice the rated power. Novel frequency profiles are proposed, which ensure that the frequency on either side never drops below a minimum value (set at 12 Hz in this work). Therefore, the estimation of flux can be simply and reliably carried out by integration of voltage, resulting in simple sensorless control. The drive works reliably at all speeds including zero speed and at all loads. Results from a 50-hp prototype drive are presented.

53.1.10    S. Suwankawin, S. Sangwongwanich, "Design strategy of an adaptive full-order observer for speed-sensorless induction-motor Drives-tracking performance and stabilization," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 96- 119, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Design strategy of both feedback gains and adaptation gains for an adaptive full-order observer is a necessary issue to assure the stability and the tracking performance of the speed estimation in the sensorless drives. In this paper, novel design of feedback gains of the observer is proposed to achieve the stability over the whole operation especially in the low-speed region, including the regenerating mode. Stability improvement using the proposed feedback gains is rigorously proven by the method of Lyapunov. For the adaptation proportional-integral (PI) gains, the ramp response characteristic of the speed estimator is proposed as design guidelines. It is revealed that the integral adaptation gain determines the tracking error of the speed estimator during acceleration/deceleration while the sensitivity to current measurement noises depends on the proportional adaptation gain. It is also pointed out that a suitable corner frequency of the adaptation PI gains is required as a design tradeoff to avoid an oscillation. The validity of all theoretical results is verified by simulation and experiment.

53.1.11    G. Edelbaher, K. Jezernik, E. Urlep, "Low-speed sensorless control of induction Machine," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 120- 129, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Induction motor (IM) speed sensorless control, allowing operation at low and zero speed, optimizing torque response and efficiency, will be presented in this paper. The magnitude and the orientation angle of the rotor flux of the IM are determined by the output of the closed-loop rotor-flux observer based on the calculation of the extended electromotive force of the machine. The proposed rotor-flux-oriented control scheme is robust to parameter variations and external disturbances. Both observer and controller utilize the continuous sliding mode and Lyapunov theory. A smooth transition into the field-weakening region and the full utilization of the inverter current and voltage capability are thus possible. The produced torque is a continuous output variable of control. The performance of the proposed method is investigated and verified experimentally on a digital signal processor.

53.1.12    K. Ide, Jung-Ik Ha, M. Sawamura, "A hybrid speed estimator of flux observer for induction motor drives," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 130- 137, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper proposes a hybrid speed estimator that gives the synergetic effect between the model- and the saliency-based field orientations for induction motor drives. The model-based field orientation consists of a flux observer with an adaptive speed estimator that has unstable regions at zero frequency and zero speed. Saliency-based flux orientation utilizes magnetic saliencies caused by saturation and high-frequency injection that causes the torque ripples due to the chattering. The chattering is caused by the higher cutoff frequency of the flux-angle estimation to keep its high dynamics. The proposed method compensates both faults and realizes complete speed estimation from zero to high-speed condition including zero stator frequency.

53.1.13    P. Vaclavek, P. Blaha, "Lyapunov-function-based flux and speed observer for AC induction motor sensorless control and parameters estimation," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 138- 145, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: AC induction motors have become very popular for motion-control applications due to their simple and reliable construction. Control of drives based on ac induction motors is a quite complex task. Provided the vector-control algorithm is used, not only the rotor speed but also the position of the magnetic flux inside the motor during the control process should be known. In most applications, the flux sensors are omitted and the magnetic-flux phasor position has to be calculated. However, there are also applications in which even speed sensors should be omitted. In such a situation, the task of state reconstruction can be solved only from voltage and current measurements. In the current paper, a method based on deterministic evaluation of measurement using the state observer based on the Lyapunov function is presented. The method has been proven in testing on a real ac induction machine.

53.1.14    M. Comanescu, L. Xu, "Sliding-mode MRAS speed estimators for sensorless vector control of induction Machine," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 146- 153, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper presents two novel sliding mode (SM) model reference adaptive system (MRAS) observers for speed estimation in a sensorless-vector-controlled induction-machine drive. Both methods use the flux estimated by the voltage model observer as the reference and construct SM flux observers that allow speed estimation. Stability and dynamics of the two proposed SM flux observers are discussed. The observers are compared with the classical MRAS observer. The proposed estimators seem very robust and easy to tune. Unlike the classical MRAS, the speed-estimation process is based on algebraic calculations that do not exhibit underdamped poles or zeros on the right-hand plane. Simulations and experimental results on a 1/4-hp three-phase induction machine confirm the validity of the approaches.

53.1.15    M.J. Duran, J.L. Duran, F. Perez, J. Fernandez, "Induction-motor sensorless vector control with online parameter estimation and overcurrent protection," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 154- 161, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Sensorless drive control has been widely studied in recent years due to the numerous advantages regarding potential failures of position sensors, especially in applications such as automotive or aerospace. Among vector-control drives, indirect rotor-flux-oriented control (IRFOC) type is one of the most popular and tested options. However, it is still a challenging field since several aspects can be improved, such as the low-speed behavior, parameter detuning, and current control. The present scheme includes temperature estimation to correct the deviation in steady state, a new control scheme with skin-effect estimation to improve the transient accuracy, and overcurrent protection to be able to control the stator currents while allowing a good performance. The parameter estimation is carried out using lumped-parameter models, the control scheme is modified and is able to account for static friction, and the overcurrent protection improves the performance allowing transient currents over the rated value. The validity and usefulness of the proposed scheme is experimentally tested on a TMS320C31 digital signal processor (DSP) from the Simulink/Matlab environment.

53.1.16    Mongkol Saejia, S. Sangwongwanich, "Averaging analysis approach for stability analysis of speed-sensorless induction motor drives with stator resistance estimation," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 162- 177, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In this paper, the stability property of speed-sensorless induction motor drives with stator resistance estimation is analyzed using the averaging analysis technique. Explicit stability conditions are then derived to clarify analytically when the instability may occur and how the regressor vectors used in the estimation and the integral adaptation gains should be designed to assure stability. The derived stability conditions also reveal that the coupling between the speed and the stator resistance estimation loops is the main cause of instability and that stabilization of each individual estimation loop is necessary but insufficient to guarantee stability. Instead of the conventional regressor vectors that are shown to make the estimation unstable in some regenerative regions, two new regressor vectors are introduced to achieve stability for the whole operating conditions. Moreover, investigation of the persistently exciting (PE) conditions points out theoretically the loss of identifiability of the rotor speed and the stator resistance at no loads and at zero frequency operations. Validity of all the analytical results is verified by simulation and experiment.

53.1.17    K. Ohyama, G.M. Asher, M. Sumner, "Comparative analysis of experimental performance and stability of sensorless induction motor drives," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 178- 186, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper compares the experimental performance of three flux and speed observers for speed-sensorless induction motor drives and discusses the cause of their differences. The small signal analysis using the linearized model is carried out to analyze stability. Three methods are generally accepted to be representative candidates for high sensorless performance, namely: 1) rotor-flux model reference adaptive system (MRAS); 2) torque-current MRAS; and 3) adaptive nonlinear flux observer. Many other sensorless methods improved these methods. The paper discusses baseline conditions for the experiments and the stability analysis, which include matched load inertia, specified speed estimator dynamics, and sensorless operation within a speed control loop. For the comparison tests in the paper, the speed estimation dynamics of the methods are the same; this is important for parameter sensitivity. The paper concentrates on the low-speed performance, and all results shown are under sensorless speed control.

53.1.18    T. Tera, Y. Yamauchi, A. Chiba, T. Fukao, M.A. Rahman, "Performances of bearingless and sensorless induction motor drive based on mutual inductances and rotor displacements estimation," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 187- 194, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A self-sensing bearingless motor is considered as an effective solution to reduce cost and shorten a shaft length. In this paper, a novel estimation method of a rotor displacement is proposed. The method is based on the detection of currents induced by mutual inductances, which vary as a function of the rotor displacements. A high-frequency carrier voltage is superimposed on a motor main terminal voltage. The induced carrier-frequency current component is distinguished from the suspension-winding current. The carrier signal is selected high enough to suspension-current components. However, the carrier current is disturbed in transient conditions. The disturbed current results in a vibration of the estimated rotor displacements. A suspension-current estimator is proposed to reduce this vibration and to obtain the difference between the detected current and the estimated current. As a result, the disturbance vibration is significantly reduced. It is shown that a successful magnetic suspension is realized with the proposed method.

53.1.19    C.S. Staines, C. Caruana, G.M. Asher, M. Sumner, "Sensorless control of induction Machines at zero and low frequency using zero sequence currents," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 195- 206, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper considers both flux and rotor position estimations for sensorless control of delta-connected cage induction machines (IMs) at low and zero frequency operation. The variation of leakage inductance due to either saturation or rotor slotting is tracked by measuring the derivative of the zero sequence current in response to the application of appropriate voltage test vectors. The method requires only a single extra sensor. It requires access to machine phase windings and is appropriate for integrated-type induction motor drives. Both a closed-slot and an open-slot machine is used to demonstrate rotor flux and rotor position tracking, respectively. Experimental results are presented showing sensorless torque control and sensorless speed and position control at low and zero frequencies.

53.1.20    A. Consoli, G. Scarcella, G. Bottiglieri, G. Scelba, A. Testa, D.A. Triolo, "Low-frequency signal-demodulation-based sensorless technique for induction motor drives at low speed," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 207- 215, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The paper presents a method to compute the air-gap flux position in induction motors at very low including zero-stator frequency. A low-frequency (50 /spl divide/ 100 Hz) sinusoidal stationary signal is added to the normal stator variables to provide the machine with a suitable permanent excitation. Such an additional excitation modulates the saturation level of the magnetic core of the machine according to the angular position of the air-gap flux. As a result, a new zero-sequence stator-voltage component is generated that contains useful information about the position of the air-gap flux unaffected by load variation. Such a zero-sequence voltage can be easily employed to provide a wide bandwidth measurement of the air-gap flux position. A key feature of the proposed approach is that a low-frequency (0 /spl divide/ 5 Hz) signal is demodulated, thus avoiding any drawback featured by previous sensorless techniques operating with high-frequency signal injection.

53.1.21    V.-M. Leppanen, J. Luomi, "Observer using low-frequency injection for sensorless induction motor Control-parameter sensitivity analysis," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 216- 224, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The zero-frequency vector control of an induction motor without a speed sensor has proven to be a very difficult task. Uncertainty and variation in the electrical parameters of the motor deteriorate the performance of fundamental-wave flux observers as the frequency approaches zero, and observers based on high-frequency signal injection rely on motor-specific phenomena. A new method has recently been proposed, where a low-frequency current signal is injected in the estimated rotor flux direction. If there is an error in the orientation, the signal gives rise to a torque oscillation and affects the back electromotive force (EMF) through the mechanical system. The phenomenon makes it possible to reach sensorless zero-frequency operation. This paper shows that the method is insensitive to the variation of the motor parameters. Experiments confirm the result.

53.1.22    C. Caruana, G.M. Asher, M. Sumner, "Performance of HF signal injection techniques for zero-low-frequency vector control of induction Machines under sensorless conditions," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 225- 238, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A number of HF signal injection techniques have been proposed for the sensorless zero-low-frequency control of induction machines (IMs). This paper reviews these methods and experimentally investigates their performance under true sensorless conditions for a standard cage IM with closed rotor slots. Implementation techniques covering hybrid methods, saliency decoupling, and saliency orientation are discussed. The paper concludes that, while HF techniques can outperform observer-based methods at low frequencies, the robust performance required for industrial application still presents a research challenge.


Power Electronics
53.1.23    E. Figueres, G. Garcera, J.M. Benavent, M. Pascual, J.A. Martinez, "Adaptive two-loop Voltage-mode control of DC-DC switching converters," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 239- 253, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A new two-loop control scheme for voltage-mode control (VMC) of dc-dc switching converters is presented. The proposed method adds a high-gain robust loop with two controllers to the conventional VMC loop, achieving an analog "adaptive" loop in which the "equivalent voltage regulator" varies with the changing power stage parameters given as follows: 1) input voltage; 2) load; and 3) component tolerances. The loop significantly improves the disturbance rejection of the control system, i.e., closed-loop output impedance and audiosusceptibility while preserving the stability and the loop gain crossover frequency to a significant extent. Both the small-signal analysis and the experimental results carried out on a buck converter demonstrate the superiority of the proposed scheme with respect to the conventional single loop.

53.1.24    Chien-Ming Wang, "Novel zero-Voltage-transition PWM DC-DC converters," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 254- 262, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A new family of zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) pulsewidth-modulated (PWM) converters that uses a new ZVS-PWM switch cell is presented in this paper. Except for the auxiliary switch, all active and passive semiconductor devices in the ZVS-PWM converters operate at ZVS turn ON and turn OFF. The auxiliary switch operates at zero-current-switching (ZCS) turns ON and OFF. Besides operating at constant frequency, these new converters have no overvoltage across the switches and no additional current stress on the main switch in comparison to the hard-switching converter counterpart. Auxiliary components rated at very small current are used. The principle of operation, theoretical analysis, and experimental results of the new ZVS-PWM boost converter, rated 1 kW, and operating at 80 kHz, are provided in this paper to verify the performance of this new family of converters.

53.1.25    G.K. Andersen, F. Blaabjerg, "Current programmed control of a single-phase two-switch buck-boost power factor correction circuit," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 263- 271, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper presents a new current programmed control (CPC) technique for a cascaded two-switch buck-boost converter suitable as a low-cost power factor correction (PFC) rectifier in a variable speed motor drive. This new CPC technique, which is an extension of the conventional CPC method, enables the variable output dc voltage, and is therefore suitable in a pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) motor drive or as a universal input-power supply. The CPC method is very simple and requires only a constant-current reference without any changes in the transition between boost and buck operating mode, and the line current is practically unaffected by the topology-mode shift. Simulations and experimental results verify the presented control technique. Compliance with IEC-61000-3-2 class A is achieved. The experimental setup is based on a commercial CPC integrated circuit (IC) for dc-dc converters. This new control technique enables a simple low-cost control circuit for the two-switch buck-boost converter, which complies with IEC-61000-3-2, and the PFC circuit has inherent in-rush and overcurrent protection.

53.1.26    Rong-Jong Wai, Li-Wei Liu, Rou-Yong Duan, "High-efficiency Voltage-clamped DC-DC converter with reduced reverse-recovery current and switch-Voltage stress," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 272- 280, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper investigates a high-efficiency clamped-voltage dc-dc converter with reduced reverse-recovery current and switch-voltage stress. In the circuit topology, it is designed by way of the combination of inductor and transformer to increase the corresponding voltage gain. Moreover, one additional inductor provides the reverse-current path of the transformer to enhance the utility rate of magnetic core. In addition, the voltage-clamped technology is used to reduce the switch-voltage stress so that it can select the Schottky diode in the output terminal for alleviating the reverse-recovery current and decreasing the switching and conduction losses. Furthermore, the closed-loop control methodology is utilized in the proposed scheme to overcome the voltage-drift problem of power source under the variation of loads. Thus, the proposed converter topology has a favorable voltage-clamped effect and superior conversion efficiency. Some experimental results via an example of a proton-exchange-membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) power source with a 250-W nominal rating are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed power-conversion strategy.

53.1.27    K. Kobayashi, H. Matsuo, Y. Sekine, "Novel Solar-Cell Power Supply System Using a Multiple-Input DC–DC Converter," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 281- 286, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Recently, the clean electric power generation systems have attracted a great deal of social attention to exploit the clean-energy resources such as solar arrays, wind generators, fuel cells, and so forth. In this case, a multiple-input dc–dc converter is useful to combine the several input power sources and to supply the regulated output voltage for the load from the power sources. The novel solar-cell power supply system using the buck–boost-type two-input dc–dc converter is proposed, in which a solar array and a commercial ac line are employed as power sources and are combined by two input windings of the energy-storage reactor. Also, its operation principle and performance characteristics are discussed. Furthermore, the solar-cell optimum-operating-point tracker is proposed and examined. It is confirmed by the experiment that the proposed solar-cell power supply system has excellent performance characteristics.

53.1.28    T. Suntio, "Unified average and small-signal modeling of direct-on-time control," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 287- 295, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A unified and consistent method for the average and small-signal modeling of switched-mode converters under direct-on-time (DOT) or voltage mode (VM) control applicable to fixed- and variable-frequency operation in discontinuous (DCM) and continuous (CCM) modes of operation is proposed. The method is based on the direct estimation of the state-variable derivatives using their physical and circuit theoretical dependence on the corresponding circuit elements. This has been the first time that it has been explicitly recognized that the time-varying local average value of the inductor current is the state variable instead of the instantaneous current being also continuous within a cycle regardless of the operation mode. The method provides a common basis for the average modeling of VM control and leads eventually to the well-recognized results obtained using state-space averaging (SSA) in CCM or its modified version in DCM under fixed-frequency operation as well as accurate full-order models also in the variable-frequency operation. In addition, the method known as unterminated modeling is introduced, providing a useful tool for the dynamic analysis of switched-mode converters.

53.1.29    A. Fernandez, J. Sebastian, M.M. Hernando, J.A. Martin-Ramos, J. Corral, "Multiple output AC/DC converter with an internal DC UPS," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 296- 304, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The usual way to avoid a computer shutdown during a mains failure is to connect an ac uninterruptible power system (UPS). However, there are other possibilities, such as using a dc UPS to obtain the dc output voltages directly from the battery instead of generating an ac voltage to feed the whole power supply. Thus, the topology must operate either from the ac mains or from a battery. A complete design of an ac/dc power supply with an internal dc UPS is presented in this paper. The solution is based on the coupling of the UPS to the main transformer. Moreover, the power supply meets all the requirements needed to be used as an Advanced Technology eXtended (ATX) PC power supply-multiple outputs, power and voltage ratings, size, protections, etc. A prototype has been fully developed and tested as a PC power supply. The autonomy achieved at full power is around 7 minutes.

53.1.30    H. Komurcugil, O. Kukrer, "A new control strategy for single-phase shunt active power filters using a Lyapunov function," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 305- 312, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper proposes a new control strategy for single-phase shunt active power filters (APFs) based on Lyapunov's stability theory. The idea in this strategy is to form an energy-like Lyapunov function in terms of the active filter states and then determine the control law that makes the time derivative of the Lyapunov function always negative for all values of the states. It is shown that a globally stable control is possible at the expense of a time-varying reference function for the direct current (dc) capacitor voltage. This method, however, requires the estimation or measurement of the harmonic ripple component on the dc capacitor voltage. Therefore, a modified control is proposed by ignoring this ripple component. The active filter's current reference is obtained by subtracting the measured load current from the generated supply current reference. The amplitude of the supply current reference can be adjusted by using a proportional-integral (PI) controller that regulates the dc capacitor voltage. Experimental results that are obtained for steady-state operation and step changes in the load are presented to verify the correct operation of the proposed control strategy.


Emerging Technology
53.1.31    M.R. Widyanto, B. Kusumoputro, H. Nobuhara, K. Kawamoto, K. Hirota, "A fuzzy-similarity-based self-organized network inspired by immune algorithm for three-mixture-fragrance recognition," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 313- 321, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A fuzzy-similarity-based self-organized network inspired by immune algorithm (F-SONIA) is proposed in order to develop an artificial odor discrimination system for three-mixture-fragrance recognition. It can deal with an uncertainty in frequency measurements, which is inherent in odor acquisition devices, by employing a fuzzy similarity. Mathematical analysis shows that the use of the fuzzy similarity results on a higher dissimilarity between fragrance classes, therefore, the recognition accuracy is improved and the learning time is reduced. Experiments show that F-SONIA improves recognition accuracy of SONIA by 3%-9% and the previously developed artificial odor discrimination system by 14%-25%. In addition, the learning time of F-SONIA is three times faster than that of SONIA.

53.1.32    A.W. Colombo, R. Schoop, R. Neubert, "An agent-based intelligent control platform for industrial holonic manufacturing systems," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 322- 337, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: New revolutionary manufacturing paradigms, which take advantage of the newest emerging mechatronics, information, and communication technologies, and integrate them in a highly dynamic and agile economic, technical, and organizational manufacturing environment, are being researched and developed since the last decade of the 20th century. This new generation of manufacturing systems is referenced as intelligent manufacturing systems (IMS), and both the "holonic manufacturing system" (HMS) and the "agent-oriented manufacturing system" paradigms have been presented in recent years as the basis for making such systems a reality. This paper reports on the design and realization of an agent-based intelligent control system for industrial manufacturing systems, which covers both conventional mechatronics equipment and embedded control agents. The agent-based control software components are implemented as Windows NT services and logic control programs and interfaced via distributed component object model (DCOM) and Ethernet. Results of the application in an industrial manufacturing environment are used to show the effectiveness of the proposed "Holonic" approach.

53.1.33    Hyeon Bae, Sungshin Kim, Bo-Hyeun Wang, Man Hyung Lee, F. Harashima, "Flame detection for the steam boiler using neural networks and image information in the Ulsan steam power generation plant," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 338- 348, Feb 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Several types of detectors such as ultraviolet (UV), infrared (IR), visible light (VL), different pressure, flame rod, and others are employed to detect a fire flame in power generation plants. However, these flame detectors have some performance problems. Therefore, this paper describes the image-processing method of fire detection as well as the neural-network modeling. Nowadays, the image-processing technique is broadly applied in the industrial fields. An extracted image information is taken into the inputs of the neural-network model. The neural-network model has strong adaptability and learning capability; therefore, this model can be suitable for pattern classification. The Ulsan Steam Power Generation Plant in Korea is employed as the test field. If this technique can be implemented in physical plants, the boilers can be operated economically and effectively.

 IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics

  IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics 

Volume 53,  Number 2, April 2006           Access to the journal on IEEE XPLORE     IE Transactions Home Page



                 Special Section Papers on Sensorless Control of Synchronous Machine Drives
53.2.1    P.P. Acarnley, J.F. Watson, "Review of position-sensorless operation of brushless permanent-magnet machines," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 352- 362, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The operation of a brushless permanent-magnet machine requires rotor-position information, which is used to control the frequency and phase angle of the machine's winding currents. Sensorless techniques for estimating rotor position from measurements of voltage and current have been the subject of intensive research. This paper reviews the state of the art in these sensorless techniques, which are broadly classified into three types: motional electromotive force, inductance, and flux linkage.

53.2.2    S. Ichikawa, M. Tomita, S. Doki, S. Okuma, "Sensorless control of permanent-magnet synchronous motors using online parameter identification based on system identification theory," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 363- 372, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: An online parameter identification method and sensorless control using identified parameters were realized in surface and interior permanent-magnet synchronous motors (SPMSMs and IPMSMs, respectively). As this method does not use rotor position or velocity to identify motor parameters, the identified parameters are not affected by position estimation error under sensorless control. The proposed method can be applied to all kinds of synchronous motors. The effectiveness of the proposed method was verified by experiments in both SPMSMs and IPMSMs.

53.2.3    C. Silva, G.M. Asher, M. Sumner, "Hybrid rotor position observer for wide speed-range sensorless PM motor drives including zero speed," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 373- 378, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper addresses the problem of wide speed-range sensorless control of a surface-mount permanent-magnet (SMPM) machine including zero-speed operation. A hybrid structure integrating a flux observer and signal-injection techniques is proposed, which results in a rotor position signal independent of motor parameters at low and zero speed. Although the SMPM machine typically has a very low geometric saliency, the injection technique is effective in tracking the saturation-induced saliency produced by the stator flux. Experimental results are presented showing an excellent performance for both the sensorless speed and position control using an off-the-shelf SMPM machine.

53.2.4    M. Febsson, L. Harnefors, O. Wallmark, M. Leksell, "Synchronization at startup and stable rotation reversal of sensorless nonsalient PMSM drives," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 379- 387, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In this paper, a variant of the well-known "voltage model" is applied to rotor position estimation for sensorless control of nonsalient permanent-magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs). Particular focus is on a low-speed operation. It is shown that a guaranteed synchronization from any initial rotor position and stable reversal of rotation can be accomplished, in both cases under load. Stable rotation reversal is accomplished by making the estimator insensitive to the stator resistance. It is also shown that the closed-loop speed dynamics are similar to those of a sensored drive for speeds above approximately 0.1 per unit, provided that the model stator inductance is underestimated. Experimental results support the theory.

53.2.5    S. Shinnaka, "New sensorless vector control using minimum-order flux state observer in a stationary reference frame for permanent-magnet synchronous motors," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 388- 398, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper proposes a new sensorless vector control method that can be applied to both of salient-pole and nonsalient-pole permanent-magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs). The proposed method estimates the phase of a rotor flux by a newly developed state observer in a stationary reference frame for sensorless vector controls of PMSMs. The flux state observer has the following attractive features: 1) it requires no steady-state conditions for the dynamic mathematical model of the motor; 2) its order is the minimum second; 3) a single observer gain is simply constant over a wide operating range and can be easily designed; 4) it utilizes motor parameters in a very simple manner; and 5) its structure is very simple and can be realized at a very low computational load. The proposed speed-estimation method, which exploits the inherent physical relation of integration/derivation between phase and speed, is very simple and can properly estimate rotor speed. The usefulness of the proposed method is examined and confirmed through extensive experiments.

53.2.6    Jul-Ki Seok, Jong-Kun Lee, Dong-Choon Lee, "Sensorless speed control of nonsalient permanent-magnet synchronous motor using rotor-position-tracking PI controller," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 399- 405, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper presents a new velocity estimation strategy of a nonsalient permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive without a high-frequency signal injection or special pulsewidth-modulation (PWM) pattern. This approach is based on the d-axis current regulator output voltage of the drive system that has the information of rotor position error. Rotor velocity can be estimated through a rotor-position-tracking proportional-integral (PI) controller that controls the position error to zero. For zero and low-speed operation, the PI controller gains of rotor position tracking controller have a variable structure according to the estimated rotor velocity. In order to boost the bandwidth of the PI controller around zero speed, a loop recovery technique is applied to the control system. The proposed method only requires the flux linkage of the permanent magnet and is insensitive to parameter estimation error and variation. The designers can easily determine the possible operating range with a desired bandwidth and perform vector control even at low speeds. The experimental results show the satisfactory operation of the proposed sensorless algorithm under rated load conditions.

53.2.7    C. De Angelo, G. Bossio, J. Solsona, G.O. Garcia, M.I. Valla, "Mechanical sensorless speed control of permanent-magnet AC motors driving an unknown load," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 406- 414, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A new sensorless scheme for high-performance speed control of permanent-magnet ac motors (PMACMs) driving an unknown load is proposed. This scheme uses an extended nonlinear reduced-order observer to estimate the induced electromotive force (EMF) and load torque. From the estimated variables, the rotor position, the rotor speed, and the position derivative of flux are calculated and are used to close the control loop. In order to improve the drive performance, the estimated load torque is incorporated as a feedforward signal in the closed control loop. In addition, the proposed sensorless PMACM drive allows the torque-ripple and copper-loss minimization for motors with an arbitrary EMF waveform. Simulation and experimental results to validate the proposal are presented in this paper.

53.2.8    M. Morimoto, K. Aiba, T. Sakurai, A. Hoshino, M. Fujiwara, "Position sensorless starting of super high-speed PM Generator for micro gas turbine," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 415- 420, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Position sensorless speed control of super high-speed permanent magnet (PM) motor for micro gas turbine generation system is described. Mechanically robust surface PM (SPM) generator is installed in a turbine system. This generator is used as the starting motor. The sensorless control of the synchronous generator/motor is done by using voltage/frequency (V/F) control strategy without current loop. After the simulation of the proposed strategy, no-load starting test of the generator and actual starting test of the gas-turbine system are done. The proposed sensorless-control system can start and control the PM motor from zero to 30 000 r/min. The results show that the proposed system is robust for accelerating the generator even in the existence of the disturbance caused by the ignition of the turbine.

53.2.9    J.X. Shen, S. Iwasaki, "Sensorless control of ultrahigh-speed PM brushless motor using PLL and third harmonic back EMF," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 421- 428, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) ML4425 is often used for sensorless control of permanent-magnet (PM) brushless direct current (BLDC) motor drives. It integrates the terminal voltage of the unenergized winding that contains the back electromotive force (EMF) information and uses a phase-locked loop (PLL) to determine the proper commutation sequence for the BLDC motor. However, even without pulsewidth modulation, the terminal voltage is distorted by voltage pulses due to the freewheel diode conduction. The pulses, which appear very wide in an ultrahigh-speed (120 kr/min) drive, are also integrated by the ASIC. Consequently, the motor commutation is significantly retarded, and the drive performance is deteriorated. In this paper, it is proposed that the ASIC should integrate the third harmonic back EMF instead of the terminal voltage, such that the commutation retarding is largely reduced and the motor performance is improved. Basic principle and implementation of the new ASIC-based sensorless controller will be presented, and experimental results will be given to verify the control strategy. On the other hand, phase delay in the motor currents arises due to the influence of winding inductance, reducing the drive performance. Therefore, a novel circuit with discrete components is proposed. It also uses the integration of third harmonic back EMF and the PLL technique and provides controllable advanced commutation to the BLDC motor.

53.2.10    P. Guglielmi, M. Pastorelli, A. Vagati, "Impact of cross-saturation in sensorless control of transverse-laminated synchronous reluctance motors," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 429- 439, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Synchronous reluctance (SyR) motors are well suited to a zero-speed sensorless control, because of their inherently salient behavior. However, the cross-saturation effect can lead to large errors on the position estimate, which is based on the differential anisotropy. These errors are quantified in the paper, as a function of the working point. The so-calculated errors are then found in good accordance with the purposely obtained experimental measurements. The impact of the amplitude of the carrier voltage is then pointed out, leading to a mixed (carrier injection plus electromotive force estimation) control scheme. Last, a scheme of this type is used, with a commercial transverse-laminated SyR motor. The robustness against cross-saturation is shown, in practice, and the obtained drive performance is pointed out proving to be effective for a general-purpose application.

53.2.11    A. Arias, C.A. Silva, G.M. Asher, J.C. Clare, P.W. Wheeler, "Use of a matrix converter to enhance the sensorless control of a surface-mount permanent-magnet AC motor at zero and low frequency," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 440- 449, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper addresses the use of a matrix converter (MC) with high-frequency voltage injection for zero- and low-speed sensorless control of surface mount permanent magnet alternating current motors. This paper also proposes a dual compensation technique that can practically eliminate zero-current-crossing distortions in MCs, discusses the effect of such distortions on sensorless control using injection techniques, and presents experimental results that illustrate the enhanced low-speed sensorless performance that can be obtained from exploiting the effective linearity of the MC operation.


Power Electronics
53.2.12    K. Borisov, T.E. Calvert, J.A. Kleppe, E. Martin, A.M. Trzynadlowski, "Experimental investigation of a naval propulsion drive model with the PWM-based attenuation of the acoustic and electromagnetic noise," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 450- 457, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: An extensive experimental investigation of a 40-hp ac drive was conducted with the focus on mitigation of the acoustic and electromagnetic noise, and vibration, by means of random pulsewidth modulation (RPWM) employed in the drive's inverter. The drive was a laboratory model of an electric propulsion system for naval vessels, particularly electric submarines, in which the noise mitigation is crucial for survivability. Three PWM methods were compared: 1) the classic deterministic PWM, characterized by a constant switching period equal to the sampling period of the digital modulator; 2) the known RPWM technique, referred to as RPWM I, in which the switching and sampling periods are varied simultaneously in a random manner; and 3) a novel RPWM method, referred to as RPWM II, with a constant sampling period and the switching periods randomly varied around an average value equal to the sampling period. The experimental results have confirmed the mitigating properties of RPWM with respect to the acoustic and electromagnetic noise, and vibration. Because of the fixed sampling frequency, the RPWM II technique is technically more convenient than the classic RPWM I method and only marginally less effective in flattening the peaks of noise spectra. Importantly, conclusions drawn from the described study are valid for ac drives in general.

53.2.13    L.G. Franquelo, Ma.A.M. Prats, R.C. Portillo, J.I.L. Galvan, M.A. Perales, J.M. Carrasco, E.G. Diez, J.L.M. Jimenez, "Three-dimensional space-vector modulation algorithm for four-leg multilevel converters using abc coordinates," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 458- 466, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In this paper, a novel three-dimensional (3-D) space-vector algorithm for four-leg multilevel converters is presented. It can be applied to active power filters or neutral-current compensator applications for mitigating harmonics and zero-sequence components using abc coordinates (referred from now on this paper as natural coordinates). This technique greatly simplifies the selection of the 3-D region where a given voltage vector is supposed to be found. Compared to a three-level modulation algorithm for three-leg multilevel converters, this algorithm does not increase its complexity and the calculations of the active vectors with the corresponding switching time that generate the reference voltage vector. In addition, the low-computational cost of the proposed algorithm is always the same and it is independent of the number of levels of the converter.

53.2.14    C.B. Jacobina, T.M. Oliveira, E.R.C. da Silva, "Control of the single-phase three-leg AC/AC converter," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 467- 476, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper investigates the control of a single-phase three-leg ac/ac reversible converter in which a leg is shared by both the grid and the load side. Pulsewidth-modulation (PWM) techniques based on scalar and vector approaches are developed, introducing the concept of local and general apportioning factor and, also, a complete equivalence between scalar and space vector PWM. A hysteresis current controller capable of taking into account the shared leg is developed and a zero current error linear controller is presented. Furthermore, a control strategy to obtain maximum utilization of the dc-bus voltage is proposed. In addition, several relevant characteristics of the converter are addressed, such as voltage rating, harmonic distortion, shared leg and capacitor currents, and power rating. The converter is compared to four-leg and two-leg converters. Experimental results are presented.

53.2.15    M.E. Ortuzar, R.E. Carmi, J.W. Dixon, L. Moran, "Voltage-source active power filter based on multilevel converter and ultracapacitor DC link," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 477- 485, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A new topology for active power filters (APF) using an 81-level converter is analyzed. Each phase of the converter is composed of four three-state converters, all of them connected to the same capacitor dc link voltage and their output connected in series through output transformers. The main advantages of this kind of converter are the negligible harmonic distortion obtained and the very low switching frequency operation. The single-phase equivalent circuit is analyzed and their governing equations derived. The dc link voltage control, based on manipulating the converter's voltage phase, is analyzed together with the circuit's characteristics that determine the capability to draw or deliver active and reactive current. Simulation results for this application are compared with conventional pulsewidth-modulated (PWM) converters, showing that this filter can compensate load current harmonics, keeping better-quality sinusoidal currents from the source. The simulated configuration uses a 1-F ultracapacitor in the dc link, making it possible to store energy and deliver it during short voltage dips. This is achieved by applying a modulation control to maintain a stable ac voltage during dc voltage drops. A prototype of the filter was implemented and tested, and the obtained current waveforms showed to be as good as expected.

53.2.16    E. Koutroulis, K. Kalaitzakis, "Design of a maximum power tracking system for wind-energy-conversion applications," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 486- 494, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A wind-generator (WG) maximum-power-point-tracking (MPPT) system is presented, consisting of a high-efficiency buck-type dc/dc converter and a microcontroller-based control unit running the MPPT function. The advantages of the proposed MPPT method are that no knowledge of the WG optimal power characteristic or measurement of the wind speed is required and the WG operates at a variable speed. Thus, the system features higher reliability, lower complexity and cost, and less mechanical stress of the WG. Experimental results of the proposed system indicate near-optimal WG output power, increased by 11%-50% compared to a WG directly connected via a rectifier to the battery bank. Thus, better exploitation of the available wind energy is achieved, especially under low wind speeds.

53.2.17    K. Kobayashi, H. Matsuo, Y. Sekine, "An excellent operating point tracker of the solar-cell power supply system," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 495- 499, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: When the solar array is used as an input power source, the excellent operating point tracker is often employed to exploit more effectively the solar array as an electric power source and to obtain the maximum electric power at all times even when the light intensity and environmental temperature of the solar array are varied. Usually, the excellent operating point is determined by computing the electric power from the solar-array power supply with a microcomputer, digital signal processor, etc. However, such a method has the following problems: 1) complex control-circuit configuration; 2) high cost; and 3) low control speed. From this viewpoint, this paper proposes a new excellent operating point tracker of the solar-cell power supply system, in which inexpensive p-n junction diodes are used to generate the reference voltage of the operating point of the solar array. Using the proposed method, the high degree of the solar-array excellent point tracking performance can be obtained even when the light intensity and environmental temperature of the solar array are varied. Furthermore, this paper provides the operation principle, design-oriented analysis, etc., of the proposed solar-cell power supply system.

53.2.18    Chien-Ming Wang, "A new single-phase ZCS-PWM boost rectifier with high power factor and low conduction losses," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 500- 510, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper proposes a new single-phase high-power-factor rectifier, which features regulation by conventional pulsewidth modulation (PWM), soft commutation, and instantaneous average line current control. A new zero-current switching PWM (ZCS-PWM) auxiliary circuit is configured in the presented ZCS-PWM rectifier to perform ZCS in the active switches and zero-voltage switching (ZVS) in the passive switches. Furthermore, soft commutation of the main switch is achieved without additional current stress by the presented ZCS-PWM auxiliary circuit. A significant reduction in the conduction losses is achieved because of the following reasons: 1) the circulating current for the soft switching flows only through the auxiliary circuit; 2) a minimum number of switching devices are involved in the circulating current path; and 3) the proposed rectifier uses a single converter instead of the conventional configuration composed of a four-diode front-end rectifier followed by a boost converter. Seven transition states for describing the behavior of the ZCS-PWM rectifier in one switching period are described. The PWM-switch model is used to predict the system performance. A prototype rated at 1 kW, operating at 60 kHz, with an input alternating current voltage of 220 V/sub rms/ and an output voltage of 400 V/sub dc/, has been implemented in laboratory. An efficiency of 98.3% and a power factor over 0.99 have been measured. Analysis, design, and the control circuitry are also presented in this paper.

53.2.19    B. Choi, W. Lim, Sanghyun Bang, Seungwon Choi, "Small-signal analysis and control design of asymmetrical half-bridge DC-DC converters," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 511- 520, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper presents the small-signal modeling, dynamic analysis, and control design of the asymmetrical half-bridge dc-dc converter that employs a clamp capacitor and a magnetizing inductor to accommodate pulsewidth-modulated operation with asymmetrical duty ratios. The circuit averaging technique is applied to extract the small-signal dynamics of the power stage, and a graphical loop-gain method is used to design the feedback compensation and analyze the closed-loop performance of the converter. The distinctive power-stage dynamics of the converter are addressed and design guidelines for voltage feedback compensation are established. The results of the control design and closed-loop analysis are substantiated by experiments using an experimental converter.

53.2.20    J.J. Nelson, G. Venkataramanan, A.M. El-Refaie, "Fast thermal profiling of power semiconductor devices using Fourier techniques," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 521- 529, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Accurate prediction of temperature variation of power semiconductor devices in power electronic circuits is important to obtain optimum designs and estimate reliability levels. Temperature estimation of power electronic devices has generally been performed using transient thermal equivalent circuits. In the presence of varying load cycles, it has been typical to resort to a time-domain electrical simulation tool such as P-Spice or SABER to obtain a time series of the temperature profiles. However, for complex and periodic load cycles, time-series simulation is time consuming. In this paper, a fast Fourier analysis-based approach is presented for obtaining temperature profiles for power semiconductors. The model can be implemented readily into a spreadsheet or simple mathematical algebraic calculation software. The technique can be used for predicting lifetime and reliability level of power circuits easily. Details of the analytical approach and illustrative examples are presented in this paper.

53.2.21    F. Forest, J.-J. Huselstein, S. Faucher, M. Elghazouani, P. Ladoux, T.A. Meynard, F. Richardeau, C. Turpin, "Use of opposition method in the test of high-power electronic converters," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 530- 541, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The test and the characterization of medium or high-power electronic converters, under nominal operating conditions, are made difficult by the requirement of high-power electrical source and load. In addition, the energy lost during the test may be very significant. The opposition method, which consists of an association of two identical converters supplied by the same source, one operating as a generator, the other as a receptor, can be a better way to do these test. Another advantage is the possibility to realize accurate measurements of the different losses in the converters under test. In the first part of this paper, the characteristics of the method concerning loss measurements are compared to those of the electrical or calorimetric methods, then it is shown how it can be applied to different types of power electronic converters, choppers, switched mode power supplies, and pulsewidth modulation inverters. In the second part, different examples of studies conducted by the authors, and using this method, are presented. They have varying goals, from the test of soft-switching inverters to the characterization of integrated gate-commutated thyristor (IGCT) devices mounted into 2-MW choppers.


Emerging Technology
53.2.22    Jun-Young Lee, Myung-Joong Youn, "An advanced sustaining technology for plasma display panel using voltage-balancing method," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 542- 553, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A cost-effective plasma display panel (PDP) sustainer employing current injection method (CIM) for energy recovery is proposed. Using a voltage-balancing technique, driver cost can be reduced by about 20%-30% compared with that of the conventional H-bridge driver by using low-voltage switches. The energy recovery performance can be improved by the current that is built up before the energy recovery operation. This buildup current is utilized to change the polarity of the panel electrode and provides additional variable to determine pulse slopes. Experimental results show that the voltage stress of switches connected in series is identically clamped to sustain voltage during sustain operation and that light is emitted more stably by independent control of the rising and falling slopes using CIM. Therefore, the proposed sustainer is expected to be suitable for a low-cost PDP sustaining driver requiring stable discharge characteristics.

53.2.23    R. Amirifar, N. Sadati, "Low-order H/sub /spl infin// controller design for an active suspension system via LMIs," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 554- 560, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: An application of a new controller order reduction technique with stability and performance preservation based on linear matrix inequality optimization to an active suspension system is presented. In this technique, the rank of the residue matrix of a proper rational approximation of a high-order H/sub /spl infin// controller subject to the H/sub /spl infin//-norm of a frequency-weighted error between the approximated controller and the high-order H/sub /spl infin// controller is minimized. However, because solving this matrix rank minimization problem is very difficult, the rank objective function is replaced with a nuclear-norm that can be reduced to a semidefinite program so that it can be solved efficiently. Application to the active suspension system of the Automatic Laboratory of Grenoble provides a fourth-order controller. The experimental results show that the control specifications are met to a large extent.

53.2.24    Kapjin Lee, Chulsoo Kim, Kyihwan Park, "Development of an eddy-current-type magnetic floor hinge," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 561- 568, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A magnetic floor hinge is suggested to use a magnetic damping characteristic obtained by the eddy-current effect. It has a superior advantages compared to the conventional hydraulic floor hinge. First, there exists no wear in the magnetic damper since the disk rotates between the magnets without contact. Second, the deviation of the damping torque is very small in varying seasons due to the low temperature dependence of the conductivity of the disk to which the magnetic damping torque is proportional. The analytical models obtained for the damping torque and the recovering torque are experimentally investigated. The cost optimal design is carried out using the analytical models while satisfying the performance requirements. The analytical results are compared with experimental results. Finally, a prototype of the magnetic floor hinge is built.

53.2.25    Rong-Jong Wai, Kuo-Ho Su, "Adaptive enhanced fuzzy sliding-mode control for electrical servo drive," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 569- 580, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The design and properties of an adaptive enhanced fuzzy sliding-mode control (AEFSMC) system for an indirect field-oriented induction motor (IM) drive to track periodic commands are addressed in this study. A newly designed EFSMC system, in which a translation-width idea is embedded into the FSMC, is introduced initially. Moreover, to confront the uncertainties existed in practical applications, an adaptive tuner, which is derived in the sense of the Lyapunov stability theorem, is utilized to adjust the EFSMC parameter for further assuring robust and optimal control performance. The indirect field-oriented IM drive with the AEFSMC scheme possesses the salient advantages of simple control framework, free from chattering, stable tracking control performance, and robust to uncertainties. In addition, numerical simulation and experimental results due to periodic sinusoidal commands are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy, and its advantages are indicated in comparison with FSMC and EFSMC systems.

53.2.26    C.H. Lo, Y.K. Wong, A.B. Rad, "Intelligent system for process supervision and fault diagnosis in dynamic physical systems," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 581- 592, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In recent years, the increasing complexity of process plants and other engineered systems has extended the scope of interest in control engineering, which was previously focused on the development of controllers for specified performance criteria such as stability and precision. Modern industrial systems require a higher demand of system reliability, safety, and low-cost operation, which in turn call for sophisticated and elegant fault-detection and isolation algorithms. This paper develops an intelligent supervisory coordinator (ISC) for process supervision and fault diagnosis in dynamic physical systems. A qualitative bond graph modeling scheme, integrating artificial-intelligence techniques with control engineering, is used to construct the knowledge base of the ISC. A supervisor provided by the ISC utilizes the knowledge in the knowledge base to classify various system behaviors, coordinates different control tasks (e.g., fault diagnosis), and communicates system states to human operators. The ISC provides a robust semiautonomous system to assist human operators in managing dynamic physical systems. The proposed ISC has been successfully applied to supervise a laboratory-scale servo-tank liquid process rig.

53.2.27    A. Kusiak, S. Shah, "Data-mining-based system for prediction of water chemistry faults," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 593- 603, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Fault monitoring and prediction is of prime importance in process industries. Faults are usually rare, and, therefore, predicting them is difficult. In this paper, simple and robust alarm-system architecture for predicting incoming faults is proposed. The system is data driven, modular, and based on data mining of merged data sets. The system functions include data preprocessing, learning, prediction, alarm generation, and display. A hierarchical decision-making algorithm for fault prediction has been developed. The alarm system was applied for prediction and avoidance of water chemistry faults (WCFs) at two commercial power plants. The prediction module predicted WCFs (inadvertently leading to boiler shutdowns) for independent test data sets. The system is applicable for real-time monitoring of facilities with sparse historical fault data.

53.2.28    F. Jatta, G. Legnani, A. Visioli, "Friction compensation in hybrid force/velocity control of industrial manipulators," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 604- 613, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper deals with the implementation of a hybrid force/velocity controller for the automatic edge following of two-dimensional unknown planar contours performed by an industrial robot manipulator. In particular, the authors address the problem of compensating the joint friction effects that have to be taken into account in the controller design in order to achieve a reasonable performance with regards to normal force and tangential velocity errors. For that reason, two model-based friction-compensation methods are compared: a static method, based on a previously identified model, and an adaptive method, where joint friction parameters are recursively updated. By means of an extensive experimental activity, it is shown that, in spite of its simplicity and despite the friction effects changing in time during the robot operations, the devised adaptive procedure obtains a high performance in different operating conditions.

53.2.29    J. Moreno, M.E. Ortuzar, J.W. Dixon, "Energy-management system for a hybrid electric vehicle, using ultracapacitors and neural networks," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 614- 623, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A very efficient energy-management system for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), using neural networks (NNs), was developed and tested. The system minimizes the energy requirement of the vehicle and can work with different primary power sources like fuel cells, microturbines, zinc-air batteries, or other power supplies with a poor ability to recover energy from a regenerative braking, or with a scarce power capacity for a fast acceleration. The experimental HEV uses lead-acid batteries, an ultracapacitor (UCAP) bank, and a brushless dc motor with nominal power of 32 kW, and a peak power of 53 kW. The digital signal processor (DSP) control system measures and stores the following parameters: primary-source voltage, car speed, instantaneous currents in both terminals (primary source and UCAP), and actual voltage of the UCAP. When UCAPs were installed on the vehicle, the increase in range was around 5.3% in city tests. However, when optimal control with NN was used, this figure increased to 8.9%. The car used for this experiment is a Chevrolet light utility vehicle (LUV) truck, similar in shape and size to Chevrolet S-10, which was converted to an electric vehicle (EV) at the Universidad Catolica de Chile. Numerous experimental tests under different conditions are compared and discussed.


Signal Processing and Control
53.2.30    K. Ohno, T. Hara, "Adaptive resonant mode compensation for hard disk drives," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 624- 630, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper is concerned with a mechanical resonant mode compensation problem for hard disk drives. Conventional notch filters must have deep and wide enough frequency characteristics in order to accommodate all possible resonant mode characteristic perturbations, which result in deterioration in positioning accuracy and residual vibration after seeking. This paper proposes an easy-to-implement adaptive notch filter of which the center frequency follows the resonant frequency change. The basic idea of this adaptive filter is to balance two kinds of frequency weighted variances of the control input signal.

53.2.31    N. Muskinja, B. Tovornik, "Swinging up and stabilization of a real inverted pendulum," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 631- 639, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The basic aim of the present work was to swing up a real pendulum from the pending position and to balance stably the pendulum at the upright position and further move the pendulum cart to a specified position on the pendulum rail in the shortest time. Different control strategies are compared and tested in simulations and in real-time experiments, where maximum acceleration of the pendulum pivot and length of the pendulum rail are limited. A comparison of fuzzy swinging algorithm with energy-based swinging strategies shows advantages of using fuzzy control theory in nonlinear real-time applications. An adaptive state controller was developed for a stabile, and in the same time optimal balancing of an inverted pendulum and a switching mechanism between swinging and balancing algorithm is proposed.

53.2.32    Rong-Jong Wai, Ching-Hsiang Tu, "Adaptive grey control for hybrid resonant driving linear piezoelectric ceramic motor," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 640- 656, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper presents an adaptive grey control (AGC) system for a linear piezoelectric ceramic motor (LPCM) driven by a newly designed hybrid resonant inverter. First, the motor configuration and the driving circuit of an LPCM are introduced, and its hypothetical dynamic model is described briefly. The hybrid resonant drive system has the merits of high voltage gain from a parallel resonant current source and the invariant output characteristic from a two-inductance two-capacitance (LLCC) resonant driving circuit. Since the dynamic characteristics and motor parameters of the LPCM are highly nonlinear and time varying, an AGC system is therefore investigated based on the principle of computed torque control and grey method to achieve high-precision position control under wide operation range. In this control system, a grey uncertainty predictor is utilized to estimate the lumped uncertainty on line to relax the requirement of the unknown uncertainty in the design of a computed torque position controller. In addition, the effectiveness of the proposed drive and control system is verified by numerical simulations and experimental results in the presence of uncertainties.

53.2.33    Rong-Jong Wai, Kuo-Ho Su, "Supervisory control for linear piezoelectric ceramic motor drive using genetic algorithm," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 657- 673, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper presents a supervisory genetic algorithm (SGA) control system for a linear piezoelectric ceramic motor (LPCM) driven by a two-inductance two-capacitance resonant driving circuit. First, the motor configuration and driving circuit of an LPCM are introduced, and its hypothetical dynamic model is described briefly. Since the dynamic characteristics and motor parameters of the LPCM are highly nonlinear and time varying, an SGA control system is therefore investigated to achieve high-precision position control. The proposed SGA control system is composed of two parts. One is a GA control that is utilized to search an optimum control effort online via gradient descent training process, and the other is a supervisory control to stabilize the system states around a predefined bound region. Compared with conventional GA control systems, the proposed control scheme possesses the salient advantages of simple structure, fewer executing time, and good self-organizing properties. The effectiveness of the proposed driving circuit and control system is verified with numerical simulations and hardware experiments under the occurrence of uncertainties. In addition, the advantages of the proposed control scheme are indicated in comparison with a traditional integral-proportional position-control system.

53.2.34    Rong-Jong Wai, Li-Jung Chang, "Adaptive stabilizing and tracking control for a nonlinear inverted-pendulum system via sliding-mode technique," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 674- 692, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Since the system behaviors of a dual-axis inverted-pendulum mechanism including actuator dynamics are highly nonlinear, it is difficult to design a suitable control system that realizes real-time stabilization and accurate tracking control at all times. In this paper, an adaptive sliding-mode control system is implemented to control a dual-axis inverted-pendulum mechanism that is driven by permanent magnet synchronous motors. First, the energy conservation principle is adopted to build a mathematical model of the motor-mechanism-coupled system. Moreover, an adaptive sliding-mode control system is developed for stabilizing and tracking control of the dual-axis inverted-pendulum system, where an adaptive algorithm is investigated to relax the requirement of the bound of lumped uncertainty in the traditional sliding-mode control. In addition, numerical simulation and experimental results show that the proposed control scheme provides high-performance dynamic characteristics and is robust with regard to parametric variations, various reference trajectories, and different initial states.

53.2.35    Z. Salcic, Jiaying Cao, Sing Kiong Nguang, "A floating-point FPGA-based self-tuning regulator," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 693- 704, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Recursive-least-square (RLS) algorithm is widely used in many areas with real-time implementation using digital signal processors. In this paper, the authors present a pure hardware implementation of a self-tuning regulator (STR) that uses a real-time RLS algorithm as the parameter estimator. The STR contains a controller design circuit and a controller circuit. Due to RLS computation-precision and dynamic-range requirements, the hardware implementation uses a floating-point format. The floating-point processing elements presented in this paper use parameterized design, where the number of exponents and mantissa bits can be changed as the data range and the accuracy of a specific application require. The strategies for overcoming the covariance matrix asymmetrical problem during the hardware computation and the covariance matrix resetting is introduced when the system is poorly exciting are presented. The design was verified with real-time experiments using a new testbed. The experiment results are presented.


Letters to the Editor
53.2.36    M.M. Hernando, A. Fernandez, J. Garcia, D.G. Lamar, M. Rascon, "Comparing Si and SiC diode performance in commercial AC-to-DC rectifiers with power-factor correction," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 705- 707, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Improvements in power electronics are basically the result of research in two main fields, namely: 1) new topologies and 2) new devices. Researchers' efforts to achieve improved topologies are necessarily limited by the characteristics of the devices. As a result, both topologies and devices must move forward jointly and at same time. This letter studies the impact of silicon carbide diodes on a classic structure of power-factor correction-the boost converter.

53.2.37    Sang Kyung Kim, Hee Seok Han, Young Jin Woo, Gyu Hyeong Cho, "Detection and regulation of CCFL current and open-lamp voltage while keeping floating condition of the lamp," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 707- 709, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A new simple balanced circuitry using four printed circuit board trace capacitors effectively detects the cold-cathode fluorescent lamp current and the transformer voltage of the inverter without grounding either side of the lamp. The inverter employing this circuit is free from the problems caused by grounding one side of the lamp, and it provides a stable and wide dimming control as well as an open-lamp voltage regulation with a better efficacy.

53.2.38    A.F. Zobaa, "Maintaining a good power factor and saving money for industrial loads," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 710- 711, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Power quality has been gaining importance in the last few years and, more so, because of the deregulation of electricity. Harmonic distortion at a load bus is of paramount importance to both utility and customers. For the utility, a power factor (PF) improvement reduces system losses and increases the portion of generation capacity available for productive uses. This letter introduces a mathematical model to select the size of a compensating capacitor with minimum total cost including limitation of the PF, avoiding resonance condition, and satisfying the IEEE Std 18-1992 limits.

53.2.39    Yongqiang Ye, D. Wang, "Learning more frequency components using P-type ILC with negative learning gain," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 712- 716, April 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In this paper, through the analysis on error contraction conditions in the frequency domain, it is found that a negative learning gain can be used in iterative learning control (ILC). The proper use of negative learning gain can increase the learnable frequency range. The conventional P-type learning control with both positive and negative gains is used over multichannel learnable bands. The design procedure is demonstrated via an example of robot joint control. Two channels, one uses a positive learning gain and the other a negative learning gain, substantially increase the frequency components to be learned by the P-type controller. Experimental results verify the effectiveness of using a negative learning gain.

IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics

  IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics 

Volume 53,  Number 3, June 2006           Access to the journal on IEEE XPLORE     IE Transactions Home Page



                Power Electronics
53.3.1    A. Bendre, G. Venkataramanan, D. Rosene, V. Srinivasan, "Modeling and design of a neutral-point voltage regulator for a three-level diode-clamped inverter using multiple-carrier modulation," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 718- 726, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The three-level diode-clamped multilevel converter commonly called the neutral-point-clamped converter has become established to be a preferred topology for high-power motor drive applications operating at several kilovolts. Although solutions to the problem of maintaining a stable neutral-point voltage in the converter continue to be the topic of research, a simple solution based on a design-oriented dynamic model of the system is not widely known. This paper presents the design, analysis, and implementation of a simple neutral-point voltage regulator for a three-level diode-clamped multilevel inverter, which uses a multiple-carrier sine-triangle modulator in conjunction with a closed-loop controller for neutral-point regulation. Redundant state choices are controlled via a continuous offset voltage that regulates the dc injection into the midpoint of the dc bus. A small-signal transfer function is developed in closed form, for neutral-point regulation, with the voltage offset as the control variable. Besides maintaining dc-bus voltage balance, the use of the approach leads to a significant reduction in the voltage distortion at the neutral point, allowing a definitive reduction in the required dc bus capacitance. Analytical, computer simulation, and experimental results verifying the approach are presented in this paper.

53.3.2    Xiangning He, A. Chen, Hongyang Wu, Yan Deng, Rongxiang Zhao, "Simple passive lossless snubber for high-power multilevel inverters," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 727- 735, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A passive lossless snubber circuit for multilevel inverters is proposed in this paper. The topology is simple and requires no extra control circuit. In order to reduce the high-voltage stress on power switches with this snubber circuit, an improved snubber circuit is presented by adding separate low-power direct current voltage sources into the original one. The operating principles and design considerations are described in detail in this paper. A prototype of a three-phase three-level diode-clamped inverter with the improved passive lossless snubber is built and tested. The simulation and experimental results indicate that not only can it realize the soft switching operation of the three-level inverter with low-voltage stress but also the topology and the control are simple.

53.3.3    Jih-Sheng Lai, Xudong Huang, E. Pepa, Shaotang Chen, T.W. Nehl, "Inverter EMI modeling and simulation methodologies," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 736- 744, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A numerical prediction of electromagnetic interference (EMI) allows evaluation of EMI performances at the design stage and before prototyping. It can also help reduce the post-prototype electromagnetic compatibility cost by minimizing late redesign and modifications of a drive implementation. This paper describes two simulation approaches with time- and frequency-domain simulations and verifies them with experimental results. Both time- and frequency-domain simulation approaches are found effective as long as the noise source and propagation path are properly modeled. The three-dimensional (3-D) finite-element-analysis (FEA)-based parasitic parameter extraction tool-Ansoft Spicelink has been used substantially. To gain additional degree of confidence, the results obtained from FEA are verified with closed-form solutions and actual measurements.

53.3.4    S. Lineykin, S. Ben-Yaakov, "Unified SPICE compatible model for large and small-signal envelope simulation of linear circuits excited by modulated signals," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 745- 751, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The envelope-simulation method, developed earlier for large-signal simulation [time domain (TRAN)] is extended to include small-signal envelope simulation (ac) and dc sweep simulation (steady state for a range of carrier frequencies). The model is derived for amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), and phase modulation (PM) modulation schemes and is demonstrated on a piezoelectric transformer circuit. The model is based on the equivalent circuit approach and can be run on any modern electronic circuit simulator. An excellent agreement was found between the simulation results according to the new unified envelope model, full simulation, and experimental results.

53.3.5    A.I. Maswood, Zee Kum Yoong, "Design aspects of a switch-mode transformer under wide input voltage variation," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 752- 758, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Proposed is a discrete switch-mode fly-back power supply that combines part of its resonance topology into its switch-mode transformer (SMT). The resonant action is generated by the snubber circuit, and an expensive tank circuit is avoided. The "minimum switch on" circuit from the proposed SMT primary and lower auxiliary winding is designed in such a way that it provides a delay of half-resonant cycle before the driver circuit switches on the biasing circuit. This paper presents some practical design aspects of a series of SMTs intended to be used in developed and developing countries where the ac mains voltage is expected to fluctuate from very narrow to wide ranges, respectively.

53.3.6    Qi Feng, R.M. Nelms, J.Y. Hung, "Posicast-based digital control of the buck converter," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 759- 767, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The analysis, design, and microcontroller-based implementation of a digital controller using a Posicast element are presented for the buck converter. Posicast is a feedforward compensator that eliminates overshoot in system response, but the traditional approach is sensitive to variations in natural frequency. The new method described here reduces the undesirable sensitivity by using Posicast within a feedback loop. Compared to classical proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control, the new control results in lower noise in the control signal because the controller has a lower gain at high frequency. Furthermore, the authors' experiments indicate that the new controller is less sensitive to the inherent time delay associated with a digital controller for a dc-dc converter. The authors present a straightforward method to design controller parameters from the small-signal averaged model of the converter dynamics. Experimental results for a PID-controlled converter and Posicast-type controller are also compared.

53.3.7    Chien-Ming Wang, "New family of zero-current-switching PWM converters using a new zero-current-switching PWM auxiliary circuit," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 768- 777, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A new family of zero-current-switching (ZCS) pulsewidth-modulation (PWM) converters using a new ZCS-PWM auxiliary circuit is presented in this paper. The main switch and auxiliary switch operate at ZCS turn-on and turn-off, and the all-passive semiconductor devices in the ZCS-PWM converters operate at zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) turn-on and turn-off. Besides operating at constant frequency and reducing commutation losses, these new converters have no additional current stress and conduction loss in the main switch in comparison to the hard-switching converter counterpart. The PWM switch model and state-space averaging approach is used to estimate and examine the steady-state and dynamic character of the system. The new family of ZCS-PWM converters is suitable for high-power applications using insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs). The principle of operation, theoretical analysis, and experimental results of the new ZCS-PWM boost converter, rated 1.6 kW and operating at 30 kHz, are provided in this paper to verify the performance of this new family of converters.


Drive Control
53.3.8    M. Bertoluzzo, G. Buja, R. Menis, "Direct torque control of an induction motor using a single current sensor," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 778- 784, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A novel scheme for the direct torque control (DTC) of an induction motor (IM) is proposed, which uses a single sensor of current inserted in the inverter dc link. The rationale behind the proposal is to develop a low-cost but high performance IM drive. The scheme exploits a simple and robust algorithm to reconstruct the stator currents needed to estimate the motor flux and torque. The algorithm operates in two stages: first, it predicts the stator currents from a model of the motor and then adjusts the prediction on the basis of the sensed dc-link current. Experimental results are given to demonstrate the ability of the scheme in reproducing the performance of a traditional DTC IM drive.

53.3.9    C. Lascu, G.-D. Andreescu, "Sliding-mode observer and improved integrator with DC-offset compensation for flux estimation in sensorless-controlled induction motors," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 785- 794, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Two flux observers for wide speed range direct torque control (DTC) of sensorless induction-motor drives are presented and compared. The first one is a full-order sliding-mode observer with proportional plus integral (PI) compensation, without rotor speed adaptation. The second one is based on a zero phase-delay-improved integrator of the voltage model, which uses only a PI flux amplitude control with stator-flux reference magnitude in the correction loop. In both cases, an estimated dc offset is built up and memorized by the PI integral component and this totally compensates for all dc offsets and drifts originated in the acquisition channels. Two feasible solutions for on-line stator-resistance identification are proposed. Simulation and experimental results prove the accuracy, robustness, and high-dynamic performance of both observers when employed in sensorless DTC drives. The effectiveness of state estimation is confirmed by a steady state and transient sensorless operation at very low speed with rated load torque and step-speed reversal.

53.3.10    K. Ohishi, E. Hayasaka, T. Nagano, M. Harakawa, T. Kanmachi, "High-performance speed servo system considering Voltage saturation of a vector-controlled induction motor," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 795- 802, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Generally, a speed servo system of a vector-controlled induction motor has limitations of motor voltage and current. When the speed servo system has a large torque reference, the output of its PI controller is often saturated. In this case, the conventional servo system stops the integral calculation of its PI controller. However, this system often has a large overshoot and/or an oscillated response caused by both a windup phenomenon and phase error on the vector control condition. This paper proposes a new speed servo system considering voltage saturation for the vector-controlled induction motor. The proposed control method compensates the phase error on vector control condition quickly, and always keeps the vector control condition. The experimental results show that the proposed system well regulates the motor speed and the secondary magnetic flux for a large torque reference without a windup phenomenon.

53.3.11    N. Mutoh, T. Kazama, K. Takita, "Driving characteristics of an electric vehicle system with independently driven front and rear wheels," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 803- 813, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A new type of electric vehicle drive system, which has independently driven front and rear wheels, is proposed. This structure can distribute the driving and braking torque according to running and load conditions, and provides a fail-safe effect. Moreover, it is possible to improve drivability, steering ability, and stability while running and braking by arranging a permanent magnet synchronous motor and an induction motor for driving the front and rear wheels, respectively. These are important functions for an urban car to easily cope with common situations such as traffic jams and starting and stopping operations, and the special situation of failure of the motor drive system while running on city routes. The functions are verified through simulations and experiments with the bench test equipment equivalent to the actual system.

53.3.12    Ming Cheng, Qiang Sun, E. Zhou, "New self-tuning fuzzy PI control of a novel doubly salient permanent-magnet motor drive," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 814- 821, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In a doubly salient permanent-magnet (DSPM) motor drive, it is difficult to get satisfied control characteristics by using a normal linear proportional plus integral (PI) controller due to the high nonlinearity between speed and current or torque. Hence, a new self-tuning fuzzy PI controller with conditional integral, which is performed by a single-chip N87C196KD, is proposed. The initial parameters of the controller are optimized by using genetic arithmetic. Simulation and experiments on the newly proposed 8/6-pole DSPM machine have shown that the proposed new self-tuning fuzzy PI controller offers better adaptability than the normal linear PI control and that the developed motor drive offers better steady-state and dynamic performances.

53.3.13    M. Aydin, Surong Huang, T.A. Lipo, "Torque quality and comparison of internal and external rotor axial flux surface-magnet disc machines," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 822- 830, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In this paper, pulsating torque components of permanent magnet machines and pulsating torque minimization techniques are discussed for axial flux surface-magnet disc-type PM machines. The pulsating torque analysis describing general instantaneous electromagnetic torque equation and torque ripple factor is briefly provided in order to analyze torque ripple component. Detailed finite-element analyses focusing on the minimization of cogging and torque ripple components using several techniques are also given. A detailed comparison of the two techniques is also illustrated in this paper.

53.3.14    Kuo-Tsai Chang, M. Ouyang, "Rotary ultrasonic motor driven by a disk-shaped ultrasonic actuator," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 831- 837, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A rotary ultrasonic motor, including a disk-shaped ultrasonic actuator and a rotor, is developed, and the characteristics of the motor, including speeds, torques, output powers, and efficiencies, against various preload forces, voltages, and frequencies are investigated. The actuator is developed on a thin piezoelectric buzzer with three fixed screws and driven by a single-phase electrical power source. Here, the buzzer is composed of a nickel-alloy disk and a piezoceramic disk, and the screws are individually arranged at 90/spl deg/, 120/spl deg/, and 150/spl deg/ arc locations on the nickel-alloy disk. An optimal driving point of the actuator for driving the rotor in both clockwise (CW) and counterclockwise (CCW) directions is located at a point on the 90/spl deg/ arc edge region, and the CW and CCW directions are controlled by the frequency of the electrical power source. In doing so, the principle, construction, and driving mechanism of the actuator are first expressed. Then, the principle is verified according to vibration mode analysis with ANSYS simulation. The ANSYS simulation concerns the numerical model, structure, and mesh analysis as well. Moreover, a driving and measuring system, including an ac power supply system and a system that measures speed and twist forces, is constructed to evaluate the performance of the actuator and motor.

53.3.15    K. Ohishi, T. Miyazaki, K. Inomata, H. Yanagisawa, D. Koide, H. Tokumaru, "Robust tracking servo system considering force disturbance for the optical disk recording system," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 838- 847, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper proposes a new robust tracking servo system for the optical disk recording system with feedforward controller based on the prediction of the tracking error. In optical recording systems, the feedback servo system must suppress the influence of force disturbance and parameter variation. To overcome this problem, this paper designs the robust feedback control system by using coprime factorization and disturbance observer. The detecting signal of the optical disk recording system is only a tracking error. Hence, the feedforward controller of the proposed tracking control system is constructed based on both the "zero-phase-error tracking" control theory and the prediction of the tracking error. The experimental results point out that the proposed tracking servo system has a quick and precise tracking response and keeps the residual tracking error below its tolerance.

53.3.16    Jin-Woo Ahn, Sung-Jun Park, Dong-Hee Lee, "Novel encoder for switching angle control of SRM," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 848- 854, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In a switched reluctance motor drive, it is important to synchronize the stator phase excitation with rotor position because the position of the rotor is an essential information. Although high-resolution optical encoders or resolvers are used to provide precise position information, these sensors are expensive. Moreover, in a high-speed region, switching angles are fluctuated back and forth out of the preset value, which is caused by the sampling period of the microprocessor. In this paper, a low-cost analog encoder suitable for practical applications is proposed. In addition, the control algorithm to generate switching signals using a simple digital logic is presented. The validity of the proposed analog encoder with a proper logic controller is verified from the experiments.


Signal Processing and Control
53.3.17    F. Piazza, S. Squartini, R. Toppi, M. Navarri, M. Pontillo, F. Bettarelli, A. Lattanzi, "Industry-oriented software-based system for quality evaluation of vehicle audio environments," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 855- 866, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A new set of integrated software tools are proposed for the evaluation of vehicle audio quality for industrial purposes, taking advantage of the auralization approach that allows to simulate the binaural listening experience outside the cockpit. Two main cooperating tools are implemented. The first fulfills the function of acquiring relevant data for system modeling and for canceling the undesired effects of the acquisition chain. The second offers a user-friendly interface for real-time simulation of different car audio systems and the consequent evaluation of both objective and subjective performances. In the latter case, the listening procedure is directly experienced at the PC workplace, leading to a significant simplification of the audio-quality assessing task for comparing the selected systems. Moreover, such kind of subjective evaluation allowed to validate the proposed approach through a complete set of experiments (developed by means of a dedicated software environment) based on appropriate ITU recommendations.

53.3.18    Jinn-Tsong Tsai, Jyh-Horng Chou, Tung-Kuan Liu, "Optimal design of digital IIR filters by using hybrid taguchi genetic algorithm," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 867- 879, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A hybrid Taguchi genetic algorithm (HTGA) is applied in this paper to solve the problem of designing optimal digital infinite-impulse response (IIR) filters. The HTGA approach is a method of combining the traditional GA (TGA), which has a powerful global exploration capability, with the Taguchi method, which can exploit the optimum offspring. The Taguchi method is inserted between crossover and mutation operations of a TGA. Based on minimizing the L/sub p/-norm approximation error and minimizing the ripple magnitudes of both passband and stopband, a multicriterion combination is employed as the design criterion to obtain the optimal IIR filter that can fit different performance requirements. The proposed HTGA approach is effectively applied to solve the multiparameter and multicriterion optimization problems of designing the digital low-pass (LP), high-pass (HP), bandpass (BP), and bandstop (BS) filters. In these studied problems, there are many parameters and numerous local optima so that these studied problems are challenging enough for evaluating the performances of any proposed GA-based approaches. The computational experiments show that the proposed HTGA approach can obtain better digital IIR filters than the existing GA-based method reported recently in the literature.

53.3.19    G. Grandi, M. Landini, "Magnetic-field transducer based on closed-loop operation of magnetic sensors," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 880- 885, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A high-sensitivity magnetic transducer able to sense magnetic fields from dc up to tens of kilohertz is analyzed in this paper. The system is based on a ing field coil fed by a current on the basis of the residual field, sensed by a magnetic sensor (Hall or magnetoresistive) placed in the coil center. In this way, the coil current proportionally represents the external field component along the coil axis, and it can be easily converted in a voltage signal by a series resistor. Then, a one-axis Gauss meter can be readily obtained. The sensitivity and the bandwidth of the overall system are discussed by a transfer function analysis. A hardware prototype has been realized, and significant test results are shown by means of a reference magnetic-field-generation setup. Useful guidelines for the overall system design are given.

53.3.20    S. Goto, M. Nakamura, "Multidimensional feedforward compensator for industrial systems through pole assignment regulator and observer," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 886- 894, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A feedforward-compensator-design technique is presented for industrial control systems. The proposed feedforward compensator can improve dynamic characteristics of multidimensional systems by modifying the input signals. The multidimensional feedforward-compensator design is based on the pole assignment regulator, the minimal-order observer, and the conversion from a closed-loop system to an open-loop system. The effectiveness of the proposed feedforward compensator is demonstrated by a simulation study of temperature control of a thermal power plant and by experiments of the contour control of an articulated robot arm.

53.3.21    P. Baranyi, Yeung Yam, "Case study of the TP-model transformation in the control of a complex dynamic model with structural nonlinearity," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 895- 904, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The main objective of this paper is to study and validate the effectiveness of the tensor-product (TP)-model transformation in a state-dependent nonlinear controller design for a prototypical aeroelastic system that exhibits a variety of control phenomena such as limit cycle oscillation, flutter, and even chaotic vibrations. In this paper, the TP-model transformation is applied to transform the identified analytic model of the prototypical aeroelastic system to TP-model form whereupon linear matrix inequality-based controller-design theorems, within the parallel-distributed-compensation (PDC) frameworks, can be immediately executed. Numerical simulations are used to provide empirical validation of the control results. The effectiveness of the controller design is compared to the former approaches.

53.3.22    Hsin-Febg Shieh, Faa-Jeng Lin, Po-Kai Huang, Li-Tao Teng, "Adaptive displacement control with hysteresis modeling for piezoactuated positioning mechanism," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 905- 914, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: An adaptive displacement control with hysteresis modeling for a piezoactuated positioning mechanism is proposed in this paper because the dynamic performance of piezosystems is often severely deteriorated due to the hysteresis effect of piezoelectric elements. First, a new mathematical model based on the differential equation of a motion system with a parameterized hysteretic friction function is proposed to represent the dynamics of motion of the piezopositioning mechanism. As a result, the mathematical model describes a motion system with hysteresis behavior due to the hysteretic friction. Then, by using the developed mathematical model, the adaptive displacement tracking control with the adaptation algorithms of the parameterized hysteretic function and of an uncertain parameter is proposed. By using the proposed control approach on the displacement control of the piezopositioning mechanism, the advantages of the asymptotical stability in displacement tracking, high-performance displacement response, and robustness to the variations of system parameters and disturbance load can be provided. Finally, experimental results are illustrated to validate the proposed control approach for practical applications.

53.3.23    T. Aono, T. Kowatari, "Throttle-control algorithm for improving engine response based on air-intake model and throttle-response model," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 915- 921, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: An electric-throttle-control actuator (ETC) is a device for control of the air mass flow to an engine cylinder. As adaptive-cruise-control and direct-fuel-injection systems become popular, the market of ETC has become larger. The ETC is controlled so that the engine torque follows the target value. Between the change of the control signal to the ETC and the engine-torque response, two delays exist-the delay in the throttle response and manifold filling. These delays must be compensated to improve the engine response. In this paper, a throttle-control algorithm for improving engine response is proposed. This algorithm compensates these two delays based on the response model. The response of the manifold pressure was experimented in two cases, when the ETC was controlled by a step input and when the throttle was controlled by the developed algorithm. The experimental results show that the rise time of the manifold pressure response decreased to one-tenth by the developed algorithm. Because the engine torque is proportional to the manifold pressure, it can be concluded that the torque response improved by compensating the two delay factors.


Robotics and Vision
53.3.24    S. Katsura, Y. Matsumoto, K. Ohnishi, "Analysis and experimental validation of force bandwidth for force control," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 922- 928, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Controlling robots in contact with the environment is an important problem in industry applications. In the conventional force control, much research has paid attention to develop novel force control systems and implemented force sensors to detect external force. This paper shows that narrow bandwidth of force sensor has a big influence on the force control system. Generally, to solve the instability in force control, the velocity feedback gain is enlarged. The system becomes unstable with small velocity feedback gain, and robot's response becomes slow with large one. Inasmuch as there is a tradeoff between the stability and the response, it is considered that force control by robots is difficult. This paper proposes a force control system with disturbance observer. It is possible to obtain the force information with wide bandwidth by using the disturbance observer. This paper shows that bandwidth of force sensing is very important for contact motion control. By using the wide bandwidth of force sensing, both stability and response are improved. Furthermore, force control is attainable by the construction of the easiest force control architecture. Therefore, the ideal zero-stiffness-force control is attained. The numerical and experimental results show viability of the proposed method.

53.3.25    Hui Hu, Peng-Yung Woo, "Fuzzy supervisory sliding-mode and neural-network control for robotic manipulators," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 929- 940, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Highly nonlinear, highly coupled, and time-varying robotic manipulators suffer from structured and unstructured uncertainties. Sliding-mode control (SMC) is effective in overcoming uncertainties and has a fast transient response, while the control effort is discontinuous and creates chattering. The neural network has an inherent ability to learn and approximate a nonlinear function to arbitrary accuracy, which is used in the controllers to model complex processes and compensate for unstructured uncertainties. However, the unavoidable learning procedure degrades its transient performance in the presence of disturbance. A novel approach is presented to overcome their demerits and take advantage of their attractive features of robust and intelligent control. The proposed control scheme combines the SMC and the neural-network control (NNC) with different weights, which are determined by a fuzzy supervisory controller. This novel scheme is named fuzzy supervisory sliding-mode and neural-network control (FSSNC). The convergence and stability of the proposed control system are proved by using Lyapunov's direct method. Simulations for different situations demonstrate its robustness with satisfactory performance.


Emerging Technology
53.3.26    Chia-Feng Juang, Jung-Shing Chen, "Water bath temperature control by a recurrent fuzzy controller and its FPGA implementation," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 941- 949, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A hardware implementation of the Takagi-Sugeno-Kan (TSK)-type recurrent fuzzy network (TRFN-H) for water bath temperature control is proposed in this paper. The TRFN-H is constructed by a series of recurrent fuzzy if-then rules built on-line through concurrent structure and parameter learning. To design TRFN-H for temperature control, the direct inverse control configuration is adopted, and owing to the structure of TRFN-H, no a priori knowledge of the plant order is required, which eases the design process. Due to the powerful learning ability of TRFN-H, a small network is generated, which significantly reduces the hardware implementation cost. After the network is designed, it is realized on a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) chip. Because both the rule and input variable numbers in TRFN-H are small, it is implemented by combinational circuits directly without using any memory. The good performance of the TRFN-H chip is verified from comparisons with computer-based proportional-integral fuzzy (PI) and neural network controllers for different sets of experiments on water bath temperature control.

53.3.27    L. Yao, Chih-Heng Fang, "A hardness measuring method based on hough fuzzy vertex detection algorithm," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 950- 962, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper proposes the use of a new automatic Vickers hardness measuring method called Hough fuzzy vertex detection algorithm (HFVDA). To overcome the unavoidable effects of vertex detection due to surface contaminations or specimen texture, HFVDA transforms all the indentation edge pixels into the Hough space. Within the Hough space, a weighted fuzzy c-means algorithm along with local maximum detection is proposed to find the indentation edge lines. Inasmuch as indentation deformation usually occurs in the hardness test process, an approach that overcomes the measurement inaccuracy due to indentation deformation is also proposed in this paper. It shows that HFVDA is able to find the indentation vertices and calculate the hardness number with high accuracy for either specular-polished or rough-polished specimens.

53.3.28    S. Bachir, S. Tnani, J.-C. Trigeassou, G. Champenois, "Diagnosis by parameter estimation of stator and rotor faults occurring in induction machines," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 963- 973, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In this paper, the authors give a new model of squirrel-cage induction motors under stator and rotor faults. First, they study an original model that takes into account the effects of interturn faults resulting in the shorting of one or more circuits of stator-phase winding. They introduce, thus, additional parameters to explain the fault in the three stator phases. Then, they propose a new faulty model dedicated to broken rotor bars detection. The corresponding diagnosis procedure based on parameter estimation of the stator and rotor faulty model is proposed. The estimation technique is performed by taking into account prior information available on the safe system operating in nominal conditions. A special three-phase induction machine has been designed and constructed in order to simulate true faulty experiments. Experimental test results show good agreement and demonstrate the possibility of detection and localization of previous failures.

53.3.29    Yie-Tone Chen, Jyh-Ming Liang, "Paralleling magamp-postregulator modules with sliding-mode-control method," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 974- 983, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper presents the parallel application of the magnetic amplifier (magamp) postregulators with a sliding-mode control. The system can be robust and with fast dynamic response based on the sliding-mode control. The controller can be designed in the time domain directly, which makes the design strategy easier and realizable. When the load increases, the parallel operation is adequate to be adopted. With the sliding-mode control and proper current distribution, the output currents of the parallel modules can be same when the capacity of the individual module is equal. Even if the capacities of the modules are different, the module with more capacity can also provide more output current and work well. Therefore, the purposes of controlling the output current distribution and achieving the stability of output voltage based on this kind of control strategy are achieved. Simulations and experimental results show that the parallel modules of magamp postregulators with the sliding-mode control can obtain the well dynamic behavior and proper current distribution.


Letters to the Editor
53.3.30    Sangshin Kwak, H.A. Toliyat, "Current-source-rectifier topologies for sinusoidal supply current: theoretical studies and analyses," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 984- 987, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: For current-source-rectifier (CSR)-based systems, sinusoidal supply current and unity displacement power factor in the utility are achieved through either a pulsewidth-modulation CSR or a phase-controlled rectifier in conjunction with an active filter. This paper investigates theoretical studies and analyses for the two topologies from the standpoint of converter kilovoltampere rating and switch rating.

53.3.31    Wanfeng Zhang, Guang Feng, Yan-Fei Liu, Bin Wu, "New digital control method for power factor correction," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 987- 990, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: For conventional digital power-factor correction (PFC) control methods, the duty cycle is calculated in every switching period. One main implementation barrier for the digital control of PFC is the limited switching frequency due to the limited processor speed. A new digital PFC control method is proposed to solve this problem. Based on the input current and duty cycles of the previous half-line periods, the new digital PFC control method uses an optimization algorithm to generate all of the duty cycles in advance, which are required to achieve PFC for one half-line period. Total harmonic distortion, which is directly related to the power factor, is adopted as the objective function. The proposed new digital PFC control strategy overcomes the problem of limited switching frequency due to a limited digital signal processor (DSP) speed. The proposed algorithm can be implemented by a low-cost DSP. Simulation results show that unity power factor is achieved using the proposed method.

53.3.32    K. Sundareswaran, N. Rajasekar, V.T. Sreedevi, "Performance comparison of capacitor-run induction motors supplied from AC voltage regulator and SPWM AC chopper," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 3, pp. 990- 993, June 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This letter systematically investigates and compares the performance characteristics of a variable-speed capacitor-run induction motor driving a domestic fan load using an ac voltage regulator and a single pulsewidth-modulated (SPWM) ac chopper. This proposal is a significant break from the conventional conclusion since it is shown that the SPWM ac chopper is inferior to the phase angle control scheme for a capacitor-run motor load.

 IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics

  IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics 

Volume 53,  Number 4, August 2006           Access to the journal on IEEE XPLORE     IE Transactions Home Page



                Special Section Papers on Renewable Energy And Distributed Genarated Systems - Part1:Renewable Energy
53.4.1    J.M. Carrasco, L.G. Franquelo, J.T. Bialasiewicz, E. Galvan, R.C. PortilloGuisado, M.A.M. Prats, J.I. Leon, N. Moreno-Alfonso, "Power-Electronic Systems for the Grid Integration of Renewable Energy Sources: A Survey," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1002- 1016, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The use of distributed energy resources is increasingly being pursued as a supplement and an alternative to large conventional central power stations. The specification of a power-electronic interface is subject to requirements related not only to the renewable energy source itself but also to its effects on the power-system operation, especially where the intermittent energy source constitutes a significant part of the total system capacity. In this paper, new trends in power electronics for the integration of wind and photovoltaic (PV) power generators are presented. A review of the appropriate storage-system technology used for the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources is also introduced. Discussions about common and future trends in renewable energy systems based on reliability and maturity of each technology are presented.

53.4.2    W. Xiao, M.G.J. Lind, W.G. Dunford, A. Capel, "Real-Time Identification of Optimal Operating Points in Photovoltaic Power Systems," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1017- 1026, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Photovoltaic power systems are usually integrated with some specific control algorithms to deliver the maximum possible power. Several maximum power point tracking (MPPT) methods that force the operating point to oscillate have been presented in the past few decades. In the MPPT system, the ideal operation is to determine the maximum power point (MPP) of the photovoltaic (PV) array directly rather than to track it by using the active operation of trial and error, which causes undesirable oscillation around the MPP. Since the output features of a PV cell vary with environment changes in irradiance and temperature from time to time, real-time operation is required to trace the variations of local MPPs in PV power systems. The method of real-time estimation proposed in this paper uses polynomials to demonstrate the power–voltage relationship of PV panels and implements the recursive least-squares method and Newton–Raphson method to identify the voltage of the optimal operating point. The effectiveness of the proposed methods is successfully demonstrated by computer simulations and experimental evaluations of two major types of PV panels, namely: 1) crystalline silicon and 2) copper–indium–diselenide thin film.

53.4.3    I.-S. Kim, M.-B. Kim, M.-J. Youn, "New Maximum Power Point Tracker Using Sliding-Mode Observer for Estimation of Solar Array Current in the Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1027- 1035, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A new maximum power point tracker (MPPT) for a grid-connected photovoltaic system without solar array current sensor is proposed. The solar array current information is obtained from the sliding-mode observer and fed into the MPPT to generate the reference voltage. The parameter values such as capacitances can be changed up to 50% from their nominal values, and the linear observer cannot estimate the correct state values under the parameter variations and noisy environments. The structure of a sliding-mode observer is simple, but it shows the robust tracking property against modeling uncertainties and parameter variations. In this paper, the sliding-mode observer for the solar array current has been proposed to compensate for the parameter variations. The mathematical modeling and the experimental results verify the validity of the proposed method.

53.4.4    J.-H. Park, J.-Y. Ahn, B.-H. Cho, G.-J. Yu, "Dual-Module-Based Maximum Power Point Tracking Control of Photovoltaic Systems," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1036- 1047, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The improved maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control method for small-scale dual-module photovoltaic (PV) systems is presented in this paper. With this method, the voltage and current information of each module are shared and utilized for the detection of the maximum-power point (MPP) without measuring power. This approach can be implemented in a simple structure, especially due to the elimination of memory and multiplication devices. The proposed method is verified by a hardware prototype of grid-connected dual-module PV systems with the proposed analog-implemented MPPT controller. In addition, practical issues of the proposed scheme are considered.

53.4.5    J.-M. Kwon, K.-H. Nam, B.-H. Kwon, "Photovoltaic Power Conditioning System With Line Connection," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1048- 1054, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) power conditioning system (PCS) with line connection is proposed. Using the power slope versus voltage of the PV array, the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller that produces a smooth transition to the maximum power point is proposed. The dc current of the PV array is estimated without using a dc current sensor. A current controller is suggested to provide power to the line with an almost-unity power factor that is derived using the feedback linearization concept. The disturbance of the line voltage is detected using a fast sensing technique. All control functions are implemented in software with a single-chip microcontroller. Experimental results obtained on a 2-kW prototype show high performance such as an almost-unity power factor, a power efficiency of 94%, and a total harmonic distortion (THD) of 3.6%.

53.4.6    N. Mutoh, M. Ohno, T. Inoue, "A Method for MPPT Control While Searching for Parameters Corresponding to Weather Conditions for PV Generation Systems," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1055- 1065, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper describes a method for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control while searching for optimal parameters corresponding to weather conditions at that time. The conventional method has problems in that it is impossible to quickly acquire the generation power at the maximum power (MP) point in low solar radiation (irradiation) regions. It is found theoretically and experimentally that the maximum output power and the optimal current, which give this maximum, have a linear relation at a constant temperature. Furthermore, it is also shown that linearity exists between the short-circuit current and the optimal current. MPPT control rules are created based on the findings from solar arrays that can respond at high speeds to variations in irradiation. The proposed MPPT control method sets the output current track on the line that gives the relation between the MP and the optimal current so as to acquire the MP that can be generated at that time by dividing the power and current characteristics into two fields. The method is based on the generated power being a binary function of the output current. Considering the experimental fact that linearity is maintained only at low irradiation below half the maximum irradiation, the proportionality coefficient (voltage coefficient) is compensated for only in regions with more than half the rated optimal current, which correspond to the maximum irradiation. At high irradiation, the voltage coefficient needed to perform the proposed MPPT control is acquired through the hill-climbing method. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified through experiments under various weather conditions.

53.4.7    E. Roman, R. Alonso, P. Ibanez, S. Elorduizapatarietxe, D. Goitia, "Intelligent PV Module for Grid-Connected PV Systems," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1066- 1073, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Most issues carried out about building integrated photovoltaic (PV) system performance show average losses of about 20%–25% in electricity production. The causes are varied, e.g., mismatching losses, partial shadows, variations in current–voltage$(I$–$V)$characteristics of PV modules due to manufacturing processes, differences in the orientations and inclinations of solar surfaces, and temperature effects. These losses can be decreased by means of suitable electronics. This paper presents the intelligent PV module concept, a low-cost high-efficiency dc–dc converter with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) functions, control, and power line communications (PLC). In addition, this paper analyses the alternatives for the architecture of grid-connected PV systems: centralized, string, and modular topologies. The proposed system, i.e., the intelligent PV module, fits within this last group. Its principles of operation, as well as the topology of boost dc–dc converter, are analyzed. Besides, a comparison of MPPT methods is performed, which shows the best results for the incremental conductance method. Regarding communications, PLC in every PV module and its feasibility for grid-connected PV plants are considered and analyzed in this paper. After developing an intelligent PV module (with dc–dc converter) prototype, its optimal performance has been experimentally confirmed by means of the PV system test platform. This paper describes this powerful tool especially designed to evaluate all kinds of PV systems.

53.4.8    G.O. Cimuca, C. Saudemont, B. Robyns, M.M. Radulescu, "Control and Performance Evaluation of a Flywheel Energy-Storage System Associated to a Variable-Speed Wind Generator," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1074- 1085, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The flywheel energy-storage systems (FESSs) are suitable for improving the quality of the electric power delivered by the wind generators and for helping these generators to contribute to the ancillary services. Supervisors must be used for controlling the power flow from a variable-speed wind generator (VSWG) to the power grid or to an isolated load. This paper investigates the control method and the energetic performances of a low-speed FESS with a classical squirrel-cage induction machine in the view of its association to a VSWG. A test bench is developed, and experimental results are presented and discussed.

53.4.9    R. Cardenas, R. Pena, M. Perez, J. Clare, G. Asher, P. Wheeler, "Power Smoothing Using a Flywheel Driven by a Switched Reluctance Machine," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1086- 1093, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A control system for power smoothing using a switched reluctance machine (SRM) driving a flywheel is presented in this paper. Power smoothing is achieved by controlling the SRM to operate as a motor/generator, storing or retrieving energy from a rotating flywheel. In order to increase the rotational energy stored in the flywheel, the SRM operates at high rotational speed, and the machine phase current is controlled using single-pulse mode. To control the SRM output power, a two-dimensional lookup table is used to store the switching angles. The control strategies proposed in this paper have been experimentally implemented in a 2.5-kW prototype based on an 8/6 SRM. Experimental results are presented and discussed.

53.4.10    Z. Jiang, R.A. Dougal, "A Compact Digitally Controlled Fuel Cell/Battery Hybrid Power Source," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1094- 1104, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A compact digitally controlled fuel cell/battery hybrid power source is presented in this paper. The hybrid power source composed of fuel cells and batteries provides a much higher peak power than each component alone while preserving high energy density, which is important and desirable for many modern electronic devices, through an appropriately controlled dc/dc power converter that handles the power flow shared by the fuel cell and the battery. Rather than being controlled to serve only as a voltage or current regulator, the power converter is regulated to balance the power flow to satisfy the load requirements while ensuring the various limitations of electrochemical components such as battery overcharge, fuel cell current limit (FCCL), etc. Digital technology is applied in the control of power electronics due to many advantages over analog technology such as programmability, less susceptibility to environmental variations, and low parts count. The user can set the FCCL, battery current limit, and battery voltage limit in the digital controller. A control algorithm that is suitable for regulating the multiple variables in the hybrid system is described by using a state-machine-based model; the issues about embedded control implementation are addressed; and the large-signal behavior of the hybrid system is analyzed on a voltage–current plane. The hybrid power source is then tested through simulation and validated on real hardware. This paper also discusses some important issues of the hybrid power source, such as operation under complex load profiles, power enhancement, and optimization of the hybrid system. The design presented here can not only be scaled to larger or smaller power capacities for a variety of applications but also be used for many other hybrid power sources.

53.4.11    S. Lemofouet, A. Rufer, "A Hybrid Energy Storage System Based on Compressed Air and Supercapacitors With Maximum Efficiency Point Tracking (MEPT)," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1105- 1115, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In addition to the high-capacity storage facilities based on hydropower technologies, electrochemical solutions are today's candidate for storage for renewable energy sources support. However, sustainability and limited life cycles of batteries are often inhibiting factors. This paper presents a hybrid energy storage system with high life cycle, which is mainly based on compressed air, where the storage and discharge are done within maximum efficiency conditions. As the maximum efficiency conditions impose the level of converted power, an intermittent time-modulated operation mode is applied to the thermodynamic converter to obtain a variable converted mean power. A smoothly variable output power is achieved with the help of a supercapacitive auxiliary storage device used as a filter. This paper describes the concept of the system, the power–electronic interface circuits, and especially the maximum efficiency point tracking (MEPT) algorithm and the strategy used to vary the output power. In addition, this paper presents the characteristics of high-efficiency storage systems where the pneumatic machine is replaced by an oil-hydraulic and pneumatic converter, which is used under isothermal conditions. Practical results are also presented, which are recorded from a low-power pneumatic motor coupled to a small dc generator as well as from the first prototype of the final hydropneumatic system.

53.4.12    R.C. Bansal, "Automatic Reactive-Power Control of Isolated Wind–Diesel Hybrid Power Systems," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1116- 1126, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper presents an automatic reactive-power control of an isolated wind–diesel hybrid power system having an induction generator (IG) for a wind-energy-conversion system and synchronous generator (SG) for a diesel-generator (DG) set. To study the effect of the size of the wind-power generation on the system performance, three examples of the hybrid system are considered with different wind-power-generation capacities. The mathematical model of the system using reactive-power-flow equations is developed. Three different types of static var compensators (SVCs) commonly used in conventional power system along with IEEE type-I excitation are considered to compare their performance in a hybrid system.

53.4.13    R. Cardenas, R. Pena, M. Perez, J. Clare, G. Asher, F. Vargas, "Vector Control of Front-End Converters for Variable-Speed Wind–Diesel Systems," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1127- 1136, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper presents a novel power-balance control method for a wind–diesel generation feeding an isolated grid. The system is based on a variable-speed wind energy conversion system (WECS) connected to an ac load using a power converter. An energy storage system (ESS), connected to the ac load using an additional converter, is used to balance the power generated by the WECS with the load. In this paper, the vector control systems for both interfacing power converters are discussed; the control uses the WECS converter to regulate the ac load voltage and the ESS converter to regulate the power flow to achieve a power balance. A small signal model is used to design the control systems. Finally, the proposed control is implemented in a 2-kW experimental prototype and the experimental results are fully analyzed and discussed in the paper.

53.4.14    J.T. Bialasiewicz, E. Muljadi, "Analysis of Renewable-Energy Systems Using RPM-SIM Simulator," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1137- 1143, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Renewable-energy systems that are under development need a simulation-based analysis to ensure system stability, power quality, and reliability. Such an analysis may reveal design modifications that need to be made before the system is implemented in the field. The modular simulator RPM-SIM, available on the National Renewable Energy Laboratory Web site (http://wind.nrel.gov/designcodes/simulators/rpmsim/), facilitates a low-cost application-specific study of the dynamics of the wind–solar–diesel hybrid power systems. This paper discusses the principal modules of the simulator and provides several examples of a simulation-based analysis of the renewable-energy systems. These examples illustrate the importance of a simulation-based study of the grid-connected and stand-alone or autonomous systems. The RPM-SIM is open-ended and can be easily expanded.

53.4.15    H. Li, M. Steurer, K.L. Shi, S. Woodruff, D. Zhang, "Development of a Unified Design, Test, and Research Platform for Wind Energy Systems Based on Hardware-in-the-Loop Real-Time Simulation," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1144- 1151, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Traditionally, offline modeling and simulation has been the tool of choice for improving wind energy system control strategies and their utility system integration. This paper exploits how a newly established real-time hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test facility, which is designed for testing all-electric ship propulsion systems, can be utilized for wind energy research. The test site uses two 2.5-MW/220-rpm dynamometers and a 5-MW variable voltage and frequency converter to emulate a realistic dynamic environment, both mechanically and electrically. The facility is controlled by a digital real-time electric power system simulator that is capable of simulating electrical networks and control systems of substantial complexity, typically with a 50-$muhboxs$time step. Substantial input/output allows the feedback of measured quantities into the simulation. A 15-kW mock-up motor–generator set is used to demonstrate some critical aspects of the concept including the implementation of a proposed neural-network-based sensorless maximum wind energy capture control. From the dynamic test results presented, it is concluded that the proposed system shows great potential for the development of a unified wind energy design, test, and research platform.

53.4.16    V. DelliColli, P. Cancelliere, F. Marignetti, R. DiStefano, M. Scarano, "A Tubular-Generator Drive For Wave Energy Conversion," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1152- 1159, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper illustrates the operation of a tubular-machine drive as a linear generator for a heave-buoy wave energy conversion. Linear generators, which are adopted in marine power plants, offer the advantage of generating without introducing any conversion crank gear or hydraulic system. The use of a tubular-machine topology allows the electromagnetic thrust density to be improved. This paper briefly summarizes the principles of marine wave buoy interaction and reports the design analysis and control of a permanent-magnet (PM) synchronous tubular linear machine based on a scaled generator prototype and on a rotating simulation test bench.


Drive Control

53.4.17    Y. Xiao, K.Y. Zhu, "Optimal Synchronization Control of High-Precision Motion Systems," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1160- 1169, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Recently, in the motion control area, one of the most challenging problems has been synchronization control of multiple motion axes or drivers. Unfortunately, the majority of the previous approaches have not fully addressed the synchronization problem when the system performs a complex motion. In this paper, a novel synchronized design of the high-precision motion control system is presented. The basic idea is to introduce the coupling and synchronization factors into the definition of the synchronization error. Then, a new quadratic performance index incorporating the synchronization errors of the multiple motion axes is introduced so that the resulting control law generates the cross-coupling control action, and as a consequence, improved tracking and synchronization performance can be obtained. The key to the success of the new design is to ensure that each motor tracks its desired trajectory while synchronizing motion with others. Computer simulations and real-time experiments on a servo system with two permanent-magnet linear motors demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.

53.4.18    J. CatalaiLopez, L. Romeral, A. Arias, E. Aldabas, "Novel Fuzzy Adaptive Sensorless Induction Motor Drive," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1170- 1178, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Investigations were carried out on a novel sensorless drive for induction motors, based on the combination of an open-loop (OL) estimator and a steady-state (SS) estimator. The novelty of this new sensorless structure is obtained by an intelligent mixing of the OL estimator response with the SS one. A fuzzy system weights the two estimated speed values according to the motor operating point. Then, the final speed value is obtained averaging the previously weighted speed values. Moreover, the OL estimator response is improved by means of using a fuzzy-controlled adaptive filter that selects the optimum cutoff frequency. The aim of this paper is to obtain a moderate performance sensorless drive for induction motors that could be easily implemented for industrial applications without a high computational effort. Simulation and experimental results illustrate the operation and performance of the proposed fuzzy-logic-based sensorless drive.

53.4.19    O. Wallmark, L. Harnefors, "Sensorless Control of Salient PMSM Drives in the Transition Region," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1179- 1187, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper considers speed and position estimation of salient permanent-magnet synchronous machines (PMSMs). An estimator of phase-locked loop (PLL) type is considered. Signal injection techniques are used in the zero-speed and low-speed regions, while information found in the back electromotive force (EMF) is used for higher speeds. Particular focus is put on the transition region, i.e., the speed region where the estimator switches between signal-injection and back-EMF-based methods. It is shown that the estimator may become unstable for certain setups of machine parameters and operating conditions if the transition region is determined incorrectly. To avoid this instability, design rules for how the transition region should be determined, as well as recommended selections for all parameters introduced, are given. The results of the analysis are also supported with experimental results.

53.4.20    J. Salomaki, M. Hinkkanen, J. Luomi, "Sensorless Control of Induction Motor Drives Equipped With Inverter Output Filter," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1188- 1197, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper deals with the speed sensorless vector control of an induction motor in a special case where the output voltage of the pulsewidth-modulated inverter is filtered by an inductance–capacitance$(LC)$filter. The system states are estimated by means of an adaptive full-order observer, and no additional voltage, current, or speed measurements are needed. The rotor speed adaptation is based on the estimation error of the inverter output current. Quasi-steady-state and linearization analyses are used to design an observer that enables a wide operation region, including very low and very high speeds. A torque-maximizing control method is applied in the field-weakening region. Simulation and experimental results show that the performance is comparable to that of a drive without the$LC$filter.

53.4.21    Y. Zhang, C.M. Akujuobi, W.H. Ali, C.L. Tolliver, L.-S. Shieh, "Load Disturbance Resistance Speed Controller Design for PMSM," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1198- 1208, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper presents an linear-quadratic-regulator-based proportional–integral–differential equivalent controller design method for a permanent-magnet synchronous motor. The disturbance rejection is achieved based on a multi-objective observer in which observation error is purposely retained and utilized in load disturbance compensation. This makes disturbance rejection tuning independent of the adjustment for speed command tracking; and the disturbance compensation is an integrated part of the controller output, which reduces the chance of input or state saturation. A robust stability analysis is also included for the modeling error. The proposed methodology is implemented through the dSPACE digital signal processor system, and the experimental result confirms its effectiveness.

53.4.22    F.-J. Lin, P.-H. Shen, "Robust Fuzzy Neural Network Sliding-Mode Control for Two-Axis Motion Control System," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1209- 1225, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A robust fuzzy neural network (RFNN) sliding-mode control based on computed torque control design for a two-axis motion control system is proposed in this paper. The two-axis motion control system is an$x-y$table composed of two permanent-magnet linear synchronous motors. First, a single-axis motion dynamics with the introduction of a lumped uncertainty including cross-coupled interference between the two-axis mechanism is derived. Then, to improve the control performance in reference contours tracking, the RFNN sliding-mode control system is proposed to effectively approximate the equivalent control of the sliding-mode control method. Moreover, the motions at$x$-axis and$y$-axis are controlled separately. Using the proposed control, the motion tracking performance is significantly improved, and robustness to parameter variations, external disturbances, cross-coupled interference, and friction force can be obtained as well. Furthermore, the proposed control algorithms are implemented in a TMS320C32 DSP-based control computer. From the simulated and experimental results due to circle and four leaves reference contours, the dynamic behaviors of the proposed control systems are robust with regard to uncertainties.

53.4.23    T.M. O'Sullivan, C.M. Bingham, N. Schofield, "High-Performance Control of Dual-Inertia Servo-Drive Systems Using Low-Cost Integrated SAW Torque Transducers," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1226- 1237, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper provides a systematic comparative study of compensation schemes for the coordinated motion control of two-inertia mechanical systems. Specifically, classical proportional–integral (PI), proportional–integral–derivative (PID), and resonance ratio control (RRC) are considered, with an enhanced structure based on RRC, termed RRC+, being proposed. Motor-side and load-side dynamics for each control structure are identified, with the “integral of time multiplied by absolute error” performance index being employed as a benchmark metric. PID and RRC control schemes are shown to be identical from a closed-loop perspective, albeit employing different feedback sensing mechanisms. A qualitative study of the practical effects of employing each methodology shows that RRC-type structures provide preferred solutions if low-cost high-performance torque transducers can be employed, for instance, those based on surface acoustic wave technologies. Moreover, the extra degree of freedom afforded by both PID and RRC, as compared with the basic PI, is shown to be sufficient to simultaneously induce optimal closed-loop performance and independent selection of virtual inertia ratio. Furthermore, the proposed RRC+ scheme is subsequently shown to additionally facilitate independent assignment of closed-loop bandwidth. Summary attributes of the investigation are validated by both simulation studies and by realization of the methodologies for control of a custom-designed two-inertia system.

53.4.24    A.K. Jain, N. Mohan, "Dynamic Modeling, Experimental Characterization, and Verification for SRM Operation With Simultaneous Two-Phase Excitation," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1238- 1249, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Dynamic modeling of switched reluctance motors (SRMs) is usually done on a per-phase basis. However, in most applications, SRMs are used with simultaneous excitation of more than one phase. Thus, a model accounting for mutual coupling in the presence of magnetic saturation is needed to predict and optimize their performance in terms of efficiency and torque ripple. This paper presents a dynamic two-phase excitation model of the SRM. Motor symmetry is used to reduce the amount of flux linkage data needed for the model. An experimental procedure to obtain the flux linkage data is described. Measured flux linkage data for the 8/6 SRM are also included. Details of the simulation model and comparison with experimental waveforms along with their implications for performance prediction are presented.

53.4.25    J. Arellano-Padilla, G.M. Asher, M. Sumner, "Control of an AC Dynamometer for Dynamic Emulation of Mechanical Loads With Stiff and Flexible Shafts," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1250- 1260, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper addresses the emulation of linear and nonlinear loads using a vector-controller dynamometer for the position control of mechanical loads. The emulation strategy allows an electrical machine (dynamometer) to be controlled, so as to emulate both the static and dynamic characteristics of a load with a certain bandwidth. The approach can be used for the experimental validation and testing of the electrical drives and motion-control techniques. The dynamic structure of the emulated load is always preserved. High-order systems such as loads with flexible shafts and nonlinear effects can be emulated accurately. This paper presents the dynamometer-control design, its practical implementation, and experimental results for the position control of the linear and nonlinear emulated loads. Systems with stiff and flexible shafts are considered. Finally, the experimental results are compared with the corresponding simulated loads to validate the emulation strategy.

53.4.26    K. Pietilainen, L. Harnefors, A. Petersson, H.-P. Nee, "DC-Link Stabilization and Voltage Sag Ride-Through of Inverter Drives," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1261- 1268, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Previous results concerning instability of the dc link in inverter drives fed from a dc grid or via a rectifier are extended. It is shown that rectifier–inverter drives equipped with small (film) dc-link capacitors may need active stabilization. The impact of limited bandwidth and switching frequency in the inverter–motor current control loop is considered, and recommendations for selection of the dc-link capacitor, the switching frequency, and the dc-link stabilization control law in relation to each other are given. This control law is incorporated in a field-weakening (to enhance voltage sag ride-through) current controller for which design recommendations are presented.


Emerging Technology
53.4.27    W. Li, Y. Hori, "An Algorithm for Extracting Fuzzy Rules Based on RBF Neural Network," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1269- 1276, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A four-layer fuzzy–neural network structure and some algorithms for extracting fuzzy rules from numeric data by applying the functional equivalence between radial basis function (RBF) networks and a simplified class of fuzzy inference systems are proposed. The RBF neural network not only expresses the architecture of fuzzy systems clearly but also maintains the explanative characteristic of linguistic meaning. The fuzzy partition algorithm of input space, inference algorithm, and parameter tuning algorithm are also discussed. Simulation examples are given to illustrate the validity of the proposed algorithms.

53.4.28    C.W. Chan, S. Hua, Z. Hong-Yue, "Application of Fully Decoupled Parity Equation in Fault Detection and Identification of DC Motors," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1277- 1284, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A multiple fault detection and identification method based on fully decoupled parity equations for dynamic systems with known linear and unknown nonlinear terms is presented. The fully decoupled parity equation vectors is derived and it is shown that the residuals generated from it are decoupled from other faults and the unknown nonlinear term and are sensitive only to specific actuator or sensor faults. The condition for the existence of the equation is also given. From the residuals generated from the fully decoupled parity equation, the faults are estimated using the recursive least-squares method. The performance of the proposed method is illustrated by applying it to detect, isolate, and identify faults in a simulated dc motor.

53.4.29    A.R. Mohanty, C. Kar, "Fault Detection in a Multistage Gearbox by Demodulation of Motor Current Waveform," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1285- 1297, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Demodulation of vibration signal to detect faults in machinery has been a prominent prevalent technique that is discussed by a number of authors. This paper deals with the demodulation of the current signal of an induction motor driving a multistage gearbox for its fault detection. This multistage gearbox has three gear ratios, and thus, three rotating shafts and their corresponding gear mesh frequencies (GMFs). The gearbox is loaded electrically by a generator feeding an electrical resistance bank. Amplitude demodulation and frequency demodulation are applied to the current drawn by the induction motor for detecting the rotating shaft frequencies and GMFs, respectively. Discrete wavelet transform is applied to the demodulated current signal for denoising and removing the intervening neighboring features. Spectrum of a particular level, which comprises the GMFs, is used for gear fault detection.

53.4.30    B. Ayhan, M.-Y. Chow, M.-H. Song, "Multiple Discriminant Analysis and Neural-Network-Based Monolith and Partition Fault-Detection Schemes for Broken Rotor Bar in Induction Motors," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1298- 1308, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Broken rotor bars in induction motors can be detected by monitoring any abnormality of the spectrum amplitudes at certain frequencies in the motor-current spectrum. It has been shown that these broken-rotor-bar specific frequencies are located around the fundamental stator current frequency and are termed lower and upper sideband components. Broken-rotor-bar fault-detection schemes should rely on multiple signatures in order to overcome or reduce the effect of any misinterpretation of the signatures that are obscured by factors such as measurement noises and different load conditions. Multiple discriminant analysis (MDA) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) provide appropriate environments to develop such fault-detection schemes because of their multiinput-processing capabilities. This paper describes two fault-detection schemes for a broken-rotor-bar fault detection with a multiple signature processing and demonstrates that the multiple signature processing is more efficient than a single signature processing. The first scheme, which will be named the “monolith scheme,” is based on a single large-scale MDA or ANN unit representing the complete operating load-torque region of the motor, while the second scheme, which will be named the “partition scheme,” consists of many small-scale MDA or ANN units, each unit representing a particular load-torque operating region. Fault-detection performance comparison between the MDA and the ANN with respect to the two schemes is investigated using the experimental data collected for a healthy and a broken-rotor-bar case. Partition scheme distributes the computational load and complexity of the large-scale single units in a monolith scheme to many smaller units, which results in the increase of the broken-rotor-bar fault-detection performance, as is confirmed with the experimental results.

53.4.31    S.-K. Oh, W. Pedrycz, H.-S. Park, "A New Approach to the Development of Genetically Optimized Multilayer Fuzzy Polynomial Neural Networks," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1309- 1321, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In this paper, the authors propose and investigate a new category of neurofuzzy networks—fuzzy polynomial neural networks (FPNNs)—and develop a comprehensive design methodology involving mechanisms of genetic optimization and, in particular, genetic algorithms (GAs). The conventional FPNNs developed so far are based on mechanisms of self-organization and evolutionary optimization. The design of the network exploits the extended group method of data handling, with some essential parameters of the network being provided by the designer and kept fixed throughout the overall development process. This restriction may hamper a possibility of producing an optimal architecture of the model. The design proposed in this paper addresses this issue. The augmented genetically optimized FPNN (gFPNN) results in a structurally optimized structure and comes with a higher level of flexibility in comparison with the one encountered in the conventional FPNN. The GA-based design procedure that is applied to each layer of FPNN leads to the selection of the preferred nodes (or fuzzy polynomial neurons) available within the FPNN. In the sequel, two general optimization mechanisms are explored. First, the structural optimization is realized via GAs, whereas the ensuing, detailed parametric optimization is carried out in the setting of a standard least-square-method-based learning. The performance of gFPNN is quantified through experimentation where a number of modeling benchmarks are being used, i.e., synthetic and experimental data already experimented within fuzzy or neurofuzzy modeling. The obtained results demonstrate superiority of the proposed networks over the existing fuzzy and neural models.

53.4.32    F.-S. Kang, S.-J. Park, J.-H. Cho, W.-S. Yoon, C.-U. Kim, "High-Performance Sustain Driver for Plasma Display," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1322- 1327, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The sustain driver for ac plasma display should provide alternating high-voltage pulses to ignite plasma and recover the energy discharged from the intrinsic capacitance between the scanning and sustaining electrodes inside the panel. In this paper, an efficient sustain circuit that employs a voltage boost-up function is proposed to achieve faster rise-time that would be suitable for the wide use of the address-and-display-period-separated (ADS) driving method. The proposed sustain driver improves recovery efficiency, regardless of the variation of the panel capacitance. The principle of operation, features, and simulation results are given and verified on a 7.5-in-diagonal panel at a 200-kHz operating frequency based on an experimental prototype.


Robotics and Vision
53.4.33    R.-J. Wai, P.-C. Chen, "Robust Neural-Fuzzy-Network Control for Robot Manipulator Including Actuator Dynamics," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1328- 1349, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper addresses the design and analysis of an intelligent control system for an$n$-link robot manipulator to achieve the high-precision position tracking. According to the concepts of mechanical geometry and motion dynamics, the dynamic model of an$n$-link robot manipulator including actuator dynamics is introduced initially. However, it is difficult to design a suitable model-based control scheme due to the uncertainties in practical applications, such as friction forces, external disturbances, and parameter variations. In order to deal with the mentioned difficulties, a robust neural-fuzzy-network control (RNFNC) system is investigated to the joint position control of an$n$-link robot manipulator for periodic motion. In this control scheme, a four-layer neural fuzzy network (NFN) is utilized for the major control role, and the adaptive tuning laws of network parameters are derived in the sense of a projection algorithm and the Lyapunov stability theorem to ensure network convergence as well as stable control performance. The merits of this model-free control scheme are that not only can the stable position tracking performance be guaranteed but also no prior system information and auxiliary control design are required in the control process. In addition, numerical simulations and experimental results of a two-link robot manipulator actuated by dc servo motors are provided to verify the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed RNFNC methodology.

53.4.34    H.N. Chow, Y. Xu, "Learning Human Navigational Skill for Smart Wheelchair in a Static Cluttered Route," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1350- 1361, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In practice, the environments in which mobile robots operate are usually modeled in highly complex forms and, as a result, autonomous navigation and localization can be difficult. The difficulties are exacerbated for practical robots with limited on-board computational resources and complex planning algorithms, since this paradigm of environmental modeling requires enormous computational power. A novel navigation/localization learning methodology is presented to abstract and transfer the human sequential navigational skill to a robotic wheelchair by showing the platform how to respond in different local environments along a demonstrated, static cluttered route using a lookup table representation. This method utilizes limited on-board range sensing information to concisely model local unstructured environments, with respect to the robot, for navigation or localization along the learned route in order to achieve good performance with low on-line computational demand and low-cost hardware requirements. Experimental study demonstrates the feasibility of this method and some interesting characteristics of navigation, localization, and environmental modeling problems. Analysis is also conducted to investigate performance evaluation, advantages of the approach, choices of lookup table inputs and outputs, and potential generalization of this paper.

53.4.35    K.-B. Sim, K.-S. Byun, F. Harashima, "Internet-Based Teleoperation of an Intelligent Robot With Optimal Two-Layer Fuzzy Controller," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1362- 1372, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Research on Internet-based teleoperation has received increased attention in the past few years. In this paper, an Internet-based teleoperation system was implemented. In order to robustly transmit the surroundings and control information of the robot, packet-type data were used. The central problem in Internet-based teleoperation is data transmission latency or data loss. For this specific problem, an autonomous mobile robot with optimal two-layer fuzzy controller (2LFC) was introduced. When data transmission is failed, the robot automatically moves and protects itself. In addition, a color detection system was implemented so that the robot can perceive an object and move to another object. The fuzzy controller was optimized by using the schema coevolutionary algorithm (SCEA), which finds an optimal solution. Using these technologies, the efficacies of the 2LFC, the SCEA, and the teleoperation system were verified.

53.4.36    S. Katsura, K. Ohnishi, "Semiautonomous Wheelchair Based on Quarry of Environmental Information," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1373- 1382, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In this paper, an intelligent wheelchair robot for adaptation to an unknown environment is developed. Environmental information is a key factor to comply to an unknown and/or unstructured environment. Since the environment has an infinite number of modes, the environmental information should be classified into some modes. This paper develops a novel viewpoint of robot motion control based on quarry of environmental information. The robot adapts to the environment based on the remote and contact information. In order to adapt to the remote environment, the obstacle avoidance problem is treated. This kind of robot motion control is based on position control. On the contrary, in order to adapt to the contact information, compliance control is applied to a robot. If the robot collides with the obstacles, the impact force is relaxed by the method, and safety is improved. This controller, on the other hand, is based on force control. In this paper, position control and force control are integrated in the acceleration dimension based on acceleration control. The robust acceleration control is attained by the disturbance observer. Finally, a semiautonomous function is installed for the improvement of human operationality. The numerical and experimental results show viability of the proposed method.


Letters to the Editor
53.4.37    G. Escobar, P.R. Martinez, J. Leyva-Ramos, P. Mattavelli, "A Negative Feedback Repetitive Control Scheme for Harmonic Compensation," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1383- 1386, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In this letter, a different feedback structure of the repetitive control that apparently is more appropriate for applications in power electronics is proposed. Moreover, a simple analog-circuit implementation is proposed which is suitable for high-frequency power electronics applications, where digital control is unpractical due to cost and performance of available DSPs and microcontrollers.

53.4.38    Y.S. Suh, "Attitude Estimation by Multiple-Mode Kalman Filters," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 4, pp. 1386- 1389, August 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This letter proposes a multiple-mode Kalman filter for one-dimensional attitude estimation using low-cost accelerometer and gyroscope. The nonlinearity and time-varying parameters are partitioned into several modes; for each mode, a linear time-invariant Kalman filter is selected. Experimental results are given to verify the proposed Kalman filter.

 IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics

  IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics 

Volume 53,  Number 5, Oct 2006           Access to the journal on IEEE XPLORE     IE Transactions Home Page



                Special Section Papers on Renewable Energy And Distributed Genarated Systems - Part 2 :Control of Distributed            Generation Systems
53.5.1    "Guest Editorial," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1394- 1397, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Not Available

53.5.2    F. Blaabjerg, R. Teodorescu, M. Liserre, A.V. Timbus, "Overview of Control and Grid Synchronization for Distributed Power Generation Systems," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1398-1409, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Renewable energy sources like wind, sun, and hydro are seen as a reliable alternative to the traditional energy sources such as oil, natural gas, or coal. Distributed power generation systems (DPGSs) based on renewable energy sources experience a large development worldwide, with Germany, Denmark, Japan, and USA as leaders in the development in this field. Due to the increasing number of DPGSs connected to the utility network, new and stricter standards in respect to power quality, safe running, and islanding protection are issued. As a consequence, the control of distributed generation systems should be improved to meet the requirements for grid interconnection. This paper gives an overview of the structures for the DPGS based on fuel cell, photovoltaic, and wind turbines. In addition, control structures of the grid-side converter are presented, and the possibility of compensation for low-order harmonics is also discussed. Moreover, control strategies when running on grid faults are treated. This paper ends up with an overview of synchronization methods and a discussion about their importance in the control

53.5.3    S. Pavljaevic, F. Dawson, "Synchronization to Disturbed Utility-Network Signals Using a Multirate Phase-Locked Loop," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1410-1417, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper presents a digital-signal-processing system suitable for synchronization in applications where the synchronization signal is severely disturbed, and where the signal frequency and amplitude are variable. The system is based on a multirate phase-locked loop. The main advantages of the multirate approach are that it relaxes the implementation of the antialiasing filter, and it enables one to accommodate the varying amplitude of the input signal. The antialiasing filter, which is in this case a high-order bandpass filter, is implemented in the digital part of the system. This feature is achieved by applying the oversampling technique to the input signal. The antialiasing filter automatically adapts to the input-signal-frequency variations through the system's variable sample-rate operation. This paper deals with modeling, analysis, control, and implementation issues of the proposed system. The system is implemented on a platform based on the Texas Instruments TMS320C31 digital signal processor. Tracking properties of the implemented system are verified with realistic signals such as a sinusoidal signal containing notch-type disturbance and noise and an arc-furnace voltage signal

53.5.4    M. Liserre, A. Pigazo, A. Dell'Aquila, V.M. Moreno, "An Anti-Islanding Method for Single-Phase Inverters Based on a Grid Voltage Sensorless Control," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1418-1426, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The detection of the islanding condition of a distributed generation (DG) system is crucial for safety reasons, as discussed in the IEEE standards and specifically required by some national codes. Several anti-islanding methods that are resident in the inverter have been investigated and classified as passive (measurement of the natural effects of islanding) or active (based on the measurement of the effects due to transients or harmonics deliberately introduced in the system). In case the power drained by the load matches the power generated by the DG inverter, the effect of islanding is small, and the passive methods fail. However, the active methods, which have been developed to overcome these limits, create disturbances that can interact with those generated by other DG systems. In this paper, a new anti-islanding method is proposed. It exploits the natural sensitivity of a grid-voltage sensorless control to disturbances to highlight the islanding condition. The adopted grid-voltage sensorless control is adapted to a single-phase system with the use of resonant controllers based on the internal model control law: resonant-controller-based observer results. Then, a Kalman-filter-based algorithm is used to detect the islanding condition based on the energy mismatch between the estimated third and fifth harmonics and the real ones. Experimental results support the analysis

53.5.5    D.M. Vilathgamuwa, P.C. Loh, Y. Li, "Protection of Microgrids During Utility Voltage Sags," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1427-1436, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Microgrids are systems with clusters of microgenerators, which are installed for distributed power generation. When interfaced to the utility grid, microgrids are exposed to common utility power-quality disturbances. In particular, during utility-voltage sags, large line currents can flow along distribution feeders connecting the micro- and utility grids. To limit this flow of large line currents and, hence, protect the microgrids, this paper proposes two current-limiting algorithms, namely, the RL feedforward and flux-charge-model feedback algorithms, for controlling a series inverter connected between the micro- and utility grids during utility voltage sags. Both methods function by inserting a large virtual RL or L impedance in series with the distribution feeder to limit the line-current flow. Detailed descriptions, controller designs, and comparisons of both algorithms are presented. Phasor analyses of both methods are also presented to show how the inserted RL or L values can be optimally tuned to improve the inverter damping performance and minimize its injected voltages and circulating power under all operation conditions. Lastly, both methods have been tested in simulation and in experiments using an emulated laboratory microgrid system

53.5.6    B. Singh, S.S. Murthy, S. Gupta, "STATCOM-Based Voltage Regulator for Self-Excited Induction Generator Feeding Nonlinear Loads," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1437-1452, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper deals with the performance analysis of a static compensator (STATCOM)-based voltage regulator for self-excited induction generators (SEIGs) supplying nonlinear loads. In practice, a number of loads are nonlinear in nature, and therefore, they inject harmonics in the generating systems. The SEIG's performance, being a weak isolated system, is very much affected by these harmonics. The additional drawbacks of the SEIG are poor voltage regulation and that it requires an adjustable reactive power source with varying loads to maintain a constant terminal voltage. A three-phase insulated-gate-bipolar-transistor-based current-controlled voltage source inverter working as STATCOM is used for harmonic elimination, and it provides the required reactive power for the SEIG, with varying loads to maintain a constant terminal voltage. A dynamic model of the SEIG-STATCOM feeding nonlinear loads using stationary d-q axes reference frame is developed for predicting the behavior of the system under transient conditions. The simulated results show that SEIG terminal voltage is maintained constant, even with nonlinear balanced and unbalanced loads, and free from harmonics using STATCOM-based voltage regulator

53.5.7    J. Schonbergerschonberger, R. Duke, S.D. Round, "DC-Bus Signaling: A Distributed Control Strategy for a Hybrid Renewable Nanogrid," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1453-1460, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A dc nanogrid is a hybrid renewable system since renewable sources supply the average load demand, while storage and nonrenewable generation maintain the power balance in the presence of the stochastic renewable sources. The system is power electronic based, with converters being used to interface both the sources and loads to the system. The nanogrid is controlled using dc-bus signaling (DBS), a distributed control strategy in which the control nodes, the source/storage interface converters, induce voltage-level changes to communicate with the other control nodes. This paper explains the control structure required for the converters to permit the use of DBS, and explains a procedure for implementing a system-wide control law through independent control of the source/storage interface converters. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the operation of this novel control strategy

53.5.8    J.M. Guerrero, J. Matas, L. Garcia De Vicunagarcia De Vicuna, M. Castilla, J. Miret, "Wireless-Control Strategy for Parallel Operation of Distributed-Generation Inverters," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1461-1470, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In this paper, a method for the parallel operation of inverters in an ac-distributed system is proposed. This paper explores the control of active and reactive power flow through the analysis of the output impedance of the inverters and its impact on the power sharing. As a result, adaptive virtual output impedance is proposed in order to achieve a proper reactive power sharing, regardless of the line-impedance unbalances. A soft-start operation is also included, avoiding the initial current peak, which results in a seamless hot-swap operation. Active power sharing is achieved by adjusting the frequency in load transient situations only, owing to which the proposed method obtains a constant steady-state frequency and amplitude. As opposed to the conventional droop method, the transient response can be modified by acting on the main control parameters. Linear and nonlinear loads can be properly shared due to the addition of a current harmonic loop in the control strategy. Experimental results are presented from a two-6-kVA parallel-connected inverter system, showing the feasibility of the proposed approach

53.5.9    M. Prodanovic, T.C. Green, "High-Quality Power Generation Through Distributed Control of a Power Park Microgrid," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1471-1482, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Inverters are a necessary interface for several forms of distributed generation (DG) and where they form a microgrid they have the potential to offer high power quality. The challenge is to coordinate the actions of a group of inverters so that they offer the level of power quality known to be possible from fast local control of a single inverter. The case examined here is a power park of several inverter-based DG in relatively close proximity. A basic requirement is that the inverters regulate the grid voltage and share the real and reactive power demands according to their ratings. In small girds with high proportions of nonlinear and unbalanced loads it is also important to actively control the waveform quality in terms of harmonics, transient disturbances, and balance. Further, it is important that these duties are shared equally between the units rather than having one master unit taking the lead in the voltage control function. A constraint faced in designing a sharing system is the limited bandwidth of signal communication even over distances of a few meters. A control method is proposed that separates the control tasks in the frequency domain. Power sharing and voltage regulation are controlled centrally and commands are distributed through a low-bandwidth communication link. Waveform quality functions are controlled in high bandwidth controllers distributed to each local inverter. Experimental tests on a grid of three 10-kVA inverters are used to show that the method fully exploits the inherent fast response of the inverters while also ensuring voltage balance even with extreme load imbalance. It is shown that circulating currents are avoided during steady state and transients

53.5.10    R.C. Portillo, M.M. Prats, J.I. Leon, J.A. Sanchez, J.M. Carrasco, E. Galvan, L.G. Franquelo, "Modeling Strategy for Back-to-Back Three-Level Converters Applied to High-Power Wind Turbines," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1483-1491, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Three-level converters are becoming a realistic alternative to the conventional converters in high-power wind-energy applications. In this paper, a complete analytical strategy to model a back-to-back three-level converter is described. This tool permits us to adapt the control strategy to the specific application. Moreover, the model of different loads can be incorporated to the overall model. Both control strategy and load models are included in the complete system model. The proposed model pays special attention to the unbalance in the capacitors' voltage of three-level converters, including the dynamics of the capacitors' voltage. In order to validate the model and the control strategy proposed in this paper, a 3-MW three-level back-to-back power converter used as a power conditioning system of a variable speed wind turbine has been simulated. Finally, the described strategy has been implemented in a 50-kVA scalable prototype as well, providing a satisfactory performance

53.5.11    K. Jin, X. Ruan, "Hybrid Full-Bridge Three-Level LLC Resonant Converter—A Novel DC–DC Converter Suitable for Fuel-Cell Power System," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1492-1503, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper proposes a novel hybrid full-bridge (H-FB) three-level (TL) LLC resonant converter. It integrates the advantages of the H-FB TL converter and the LLC resonant converter. It can operate under both three-level mode and two-level mode, so it is very suitable for wide-input-voltage-range applications, such as fuel-cell power systems. Compared with the traditional full-bridge converter, the input current ripple and output filter can be reduced. In addition, all the switches can realize zero-voltage switching from nearly zero to full load, and the switches of the TL leg sustain only half of the input voltage. Moreover, the rectifier diodes can achieve zero-current switching, and the voltage stress across them can be minimized to the output voltage. A prototype of 200-400-V input and 360-V/4-A output is built in our laboratory to verify the operation principle of the proposed converter

53.5.12    S. Alepuz, S. Busquets-Monge, J. Bordonau, J. Gago, D. Gonzalez, J. Balcells, "Interfacing Renewable Energy Sources to the Utility Grid Using a Three-Level Inverter," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1504-1511, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper presents a novel approach for the connection of renewable energy sources to the utility grid. Due to the increasing power capability of the available generation systems, a three-level three-phase neutral-point-clamped voltage-source inverter is selected as the heart of the interfacing system. A multivariable control law is used for the regulator because of the intrinsic multivariable structure of the system. A current source (playing the role of a generic renewable energy source) is connected to the grid using a three-level inverter in order to verify the good performance of the proposed approach. Large- and small-signal d-q state-space averaged models of the system are obtained and used to calculate the multivariable controller based on the linear quadratic regulator technique. This controller simultaneously regulates the dc-link voltage (to operate at the maximum power point of the renewable energy source), the mains power factor (the power is delivered to the grid at unity power factor), and the dc-link neutral-point voltage balance. With the model and regulator presented, a specific switching strategy to control the dc-link neutral-point voltage is not required. The proposed controller can be used for any application, since its nature makes possible the control of any system variable. The good performance of the presented interfacing solution in both steady-state and transient operation is verified through simulation and experimentation using a 1-kW neutral-point-clamped voltage-source-inverter prototype, where a PC-embedded digital signal processor board is used for the controller implementation

53.5.13    Y. Cheng, C. Qian, M.L. Crow, S. Pekarek, S. Atcitty, "A Comparison of Diode-Clamped and Cascaded Multilevel Converters for a STATCOM With Energy Storage," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1512-1521, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The progression of distributed generation within a bulk power system will lead to the need for greater control of transmission-line power flows. Static synchronous compensators (STATCOMs) provide a power-electronics-based means of embedded control of transmission-line voltage and power flows. The integration of energy storage with a STATCOM can extend traditional STATCOM capabilities to four-quadrant power flow control and transient stability improvement. This paper discusses energy storage systems (ESSs) integrated with conventional and multilevel bidirectional power converters for a hybrid STATCOM/ESS. Conventional, diode-clamped, and cascaded multilevel converter-based STATCOM/ESSs are developed, and their performances for a variety of power system applications are compared using battery energy storage. The advantages and disadvantages of each topology are presented. Both simulation and experimental results are provided to validate the conclusions

53.5.14    G.M. Martins, J.A. Pomilio, S. Buso, G. Spiazzi, "Three-Phase Low-Frequency Commutation Inverter for Renewable Energy Systems," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1522-1528, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The connection of distributed power sources with the utility grid generally needs an electronic power converter for processing the locally generated power and injecting current into the system. If the source provides a dc voltage, the converter must be able to produce a low-distortion high-power-factor ac current. The same aspects related with the voltage and current distortion produced by nonlinear loads can be considered for the injection of power into the grid. In the absence of a specific standard, this paper takes as a reference the limits for current harmonics given by international standards. The justification for this approach is that, from the resulting line voltage degradation, there is no difference between injected and absorbed currents. This paper presents a three-phase inverter using low-frequency commutation. An auxiliary circuit is added to the inverter topology to reduce the output voltage distortion, thus improving the current waveform. The main advantages of this approach are the minimization of the switching losses and the elimination of the electromagnetic interference, which avoids high-frequency filters necessary in high-frequency commutation inverters

53.5.15    F.-S. Pai, "An Improved Utility Interface for Microturbine Generation System With Stand-Alone Operation Capabilities," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1529-1537, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In this paper, an alternative filter and control approach for the design of a microturbine's utility interface is proposed. The new method employs a unified current-regulated controller to drive the system converter as a power conditioner for the grid-tied operation and an emergent generator for the stand-alone operation, where few current sensors are required to serve the controller for both operating modes. The proposed method had been examined under various scenarios, including the loss of grid and parallel operation. The results help consolidate the feasibility and practicability of the approach for the applications considered


Power Electronics
53.5.16    Y.-M. Chen, Y.-C. Liu, S.-H. Lin, "Double-Input PWM DC/DC Converter for High-/Low-Voltage Sources," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1538-1545, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A novel double-input pulsewidth-modulation (PWM) dc/dc converter for high-/low-voltage sources is proposed in this paper. With a PWM control scheme, the proposed double-input dc/dc converter can draw power from two different voltage sources simultaneously or individually. The operation modes and the steady-state analysis of the proposed double-input dc/dc converter are introduced in detail. The PWM control scheme for the power flow balancing is also presented. By using a single passive lossless soft-switching cell, switching losses of all power switches can be reduced significantly. Finally, experimental measurements are demonstrated to verify the performance of the proposed converter

53.5.17    S.-K. Han, J.-Y. Lee, G.-W. Moon, M.-J. Youn, "IGBT-Based Cost-Effective Energy-Recovery Circuit for Plasma Display Panel," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1546-1554, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A new insulated-gate-bipolar-transistor (IGBT)-based cost-effective energy-recovery circuit (ERC) for a plasma display panel (PDP) is proposed. Since it is composed of two small resonant inductors and four power diodes instead of the conventional large auxiliary circuit, it features a simpler structure, less mass, fewer power devices, higher efficiency, and lower cost. Since all its power switches are turned off under the zero-current switching operation, IGBTs can be employed as power switches. Moreover, the very stable and uniform light emitted from a PDP proves the high quality of screen. Therefore, it is well suitable for the consumer-affordable hang-on-the-wall TVs which have the desirable features such as thinness, lightness, high efficiency, low price, etc. To confirm the validity of the proposed ERC, a comparative analysis and experimental results based on a whole ac PDP driver equipped with the proposed circuit for the 42-in PDP are presented

53.5.18    H. Chen, E.K.K. Sng, K.J. Tseng, "Optimum Trajectory Switching Control for Series-Parallel Resonant Converter," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1555-1563, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The series-parallel resonant converter (SPRC) is known to have combined merits of the series resonant converter (SRC) and PRC. However, the SPRC has a three-element LCC structure with complex transient dynamics, and without control of the resonant circuit's dynamics, the converter's closed-loop bandwidth to switching-frequency ratio will be much reduced compared to that of pulsewidth-modulation (PWM) converters. This paper presents the optimal trajectory enabling any SPRC's steady state be achieved within one cycle. Dynamics using the state-plane analysis is presented, and the optimal state trajectory for transients is derived. Experimental results with comparison to frequency control show much reduced resonant circuit response time for step changes in output voltage. This improved resonant circuit control allows subsequent current and voltage-loop controls of the SPRC to be treated as that of a conventional PWM voltage source

53.5.19    J.T. Matysik, "A New Method of Integration Control With Instantaneous Current Monitoring for Class D Series-Resonant Converter," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1564-1576, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In this paper, the application of the integration control method for class D transistor voltage source series-resonant converters used as dc/dc and dc/ac converters is presented. First, the integration control of the signal as a combination of the resonant frequency and its subharmonics (subharmonic integration control) is discussed. Second, the modulation density of the pulses shorting the bridge diagonal for one current half wave (semi wave integral pulse density modulation) is explained. A detailed control circuit operation, referred to as the four basic algorithms of the resonant current control, is given. The method for the calculation of the value and sequence of the current increments for a dc/dc converter is presented. The results of computer simulations and laboratory experiments demonstrate that the proposed methods allow controlling the converter output quantities fulfilling soft switching conditions (zero-current switching) and provide higher efficiency in comparison to other known methods

53.5.20    M. Jin, M. Weiming, "Power Converter EMI Analysis Including IGBT Nonlinear Switching Transient Model," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1577-1583, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: It is well known that very high dv/dt and di/dt during the switching instant is the major high-frequency electromagnetic interference (EMI) source. This paper proposes an improved and simplified EMI-modeling method considering the insulated gate bipolar transistor switching-behavior model. The device turn-on and turn-off dynamics are investigated by dividing the nonlinear transition by several stages. The real device switching voltage and current are approximated by piecewise linear lines and expressed using multiple dv/dt and di/dt superposition. The derived EMI spectra suggest that the high-frequency noise is modeled with an acceptable accuracy. The proposed methodology is verified by experimental results using a dc-dc buck converter

53.5.21    Z. Kaczmarczyk, "High-Efficiency Class E,$hboxEF_2$, and$hboxE/F_3$Inverters," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1584-1593, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper investigates the new Class EF2 inverter and the already known Class E and E/F3 inverters. The purpose of this paper is to find the answer to the question: what should be added to a classic Class E inverter to improve its performance with minimum expenditure? Class EF2 and E/F3 inverters meet this requirement through operating under zero-voltage switching and zero-voltage slope switching conditions (as in Class E) with improved transistor waveforms (as in Class F and 1/F). Selected results of a numerical analysis of Class E, EF2 and E/F3 inverters are shown and discussed. The analysis is aimed at maximizing the power output capabilities of these inverters for soft-switching conditions and fixed voltage and current stresses on their transistors as constraints. Measurement results of the Class EF2 and E inverters are given to verify the validity of the presented theory. The measured output power of the inverters was 526 and 366 W with the total efficiency of 97.1% and 96.6% at 1 MHz, respectively

53.5.22    Q.-C. Zhong, J. Liang, G. Weiss, C.M. Feng, T.C. Green, "$H^infty$Control of the Neutral Point in Four-Wire Three-Phase DC–AC Converters," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1594-1602, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Inverters used as the interface for a distributed generator in a three-phase four-wire system sometimes operate with a large neutral current because of unbalanced loads and single-phase (possibly nonlinear) loads. Voltage balance within the dc-link of the inverter is important for proper operation of the inverter, and the neutral current is a significant disturbance to this. It is preferable to use fast acting control rather than dissipative balancing or large-valued capacitors. This paper develops a linear model of an actively balanced split dc-link and applies Hinfin control design to provide high-bandwidth robust control. The approach is developed for a conventional two-level inverter, but it remains valid (without change) for a three-level neutral-point clamped inverter. The controller achieves very small deviations of the neutral point (better than 0.5 in 800 V) from the midpoint of the dc source despite the large neutral current (32 ARMS). The controller design is described and verified first in a PSCAD simulation and second in experimental testing of a 30-kW 415-V (line) inverter

53.5.23    D. Vilathgamuwa, H.M. Wijekoon, S.S. Choi, "A Novel Technique to Compensate Voltage Sags in Multiline Distribution System—The Interline Dynamic Voltage Restorer," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1603-1611, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The dynamic voltage restorer (DVR) provides a technically advanced and economical solution to voltage-sag problem. As the voltage-restoration process involves real-power injection into the distribution system, the capability of a particular DVR topology, especially for compensating long-duration voltage sags, depends on the energy storage capacity of the DVR. The interline DVR (IDVR) proposed in this paper provides a way to replenish dc-link energy storage dynamically. The IDVR consists of several DVRs connected to different distribution feeders in the power system. The DVRs in the IDVR system share a common energy storage. When one of the DVR compensates for voltage sag appearing in that feeder, the other DVRs replenish the energy in the common dc-link dynamically. Thus, one DVR in the IDVR system works in voltage-sag compensation mode while the other DVRs in the IDVR system operate in power-flow control mode. In principle, IDVR can operate effectively when constituent DVRs are electrically (not necessarily physically) far apart. Closed-loop load voltage and current-mode-control techniques are used as the control strategy in the two modes of operation. Experimental results obtained for a laboratory prototype of the IDVR are presented to show the effectiveness and the efficacy of the proposed IDVR system to improve power quality

53.5.24    D. Alexa, A. Sirbu, A. Lazar, "Three-Phase Rectifier With Near Sinusoidal Input Currents and Capacitors Connected on the AC Side," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1612-1620, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: An analysis of a three-phase low-harmonic diode rectifier equipped with inductors, capacitors connected on the ac side, and diodes is presented. Inductors and capacitors are used in conjunction with the three-phase diode bridge rectifier to improve the waveform of the currents drawn from the utility grid. The operation of the proposed converter is analyzed, and on this basis, design considerations are commented. The converter characteristics are determined as a function of the load current. Comparisons between the studied converter and other rectifiers (classical rectifiers with passive or active filters, three-phase rectifiers with near sinusoidal input currents and capacitors connected on the dc side, and three-phase low-harmonic rectifiers applying the third harmonic current injection) are also presented. Several possible applications of the two variants of the three-phase rectifiers with near sinusoidal input currents (with capacitors connected on the dc side or on the ac side) are mentioned. Analytically derived results are experimentally verified

53.5.25    B.-R. Lin, C.-H. Huang, "Implementation of a Three-Phase Capacitor-Clamped Active Power Filter Under Unbalanced Condition," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1621-1630, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A capacitor-clamped voltage-source inverter for active power filter operation under balanced and unbalanced conditions is proposed to suppress current harmonics and compensate the reactive power generated from the nonlinear loads. The adopted voltage-source inverter is based on a three-level capacitor-clamped topology to reduce the voltage stress of power semiconductors. Two control loops are used in the control scheme to achieve harmonic and reactive currents compensation and to regulate the inverter dc side voltage. In the adopted inverter, the neutral point voltage is compensated by a voltage compensator to obtain the balanced capacitor voltages on the dc side. In order to control the flying capacitor voltages, two redundant states in each inverter leg can be selected to compensate the flying capacitor to obtain a better voltage waveform with low harmonic contents on the ac terminals. The balanced and sinusoidal line currents are drawn from the ac source under the balanced and unbalanced conditions. The feasibility of the proposed scheme is confirmed through experimental results

53.5.26    A.K. Gupta, A.M. Khambadkone, "A Space Vector PWM Scheme for Multilevel Inverters Based on Two-Level Space Vector PWM," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1631-1639, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Multilevel inverters are increasingly being used in high-power medium voltage applications due to their superior performance compared to two-level inverters. Among various modulation techniques for a multilevel inverter, the space vector pulsewidth modulation (SVPWM) is widely used. However, the implementation of the SVPWM for a multilevel inverter is complicated. The complexity is due to the difficulty in determining the location of the reference vector, the calculation of on-times, and the determination and selection of switching states. This paper proposes a general SVPWM algorithm for multilevel inverters based on standard two-level SVPWM. Since the proposed multilevel SVPWM method uses two-level modulation to calculate the on-times, the computation of on-times for an n-level inverter becomes easier. The proposed method uses a simple mapping to achieve the SVPWM for a multilevel inverter. A general n-level implementation is explained, and experimental results are given for three-level and five-level inverters

53.5.27    I. Etxeberria-Otadui, A. Lopez De Heredia, H. Gaztanaga, S. Bacha, M.R. Reyero, "A Single Synchronous Frame Hybrid (SSFH) Multifrequency Controller for Power Active Filters," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1640-1648, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Conventional integration-based controllers, such as the multisynchronous PI and the multiresonant controllers, are well adapted for multifrequency-current-control applications. The first controller involves multiple reference frames, while the second one operates in a static frame using multiple resonant regulators. This paper presents a hybrid type of controller, called a single synchronous frame hybrid (SSFH) controller, which combines both features: It operates in an SSF mixing conventional PI and resonant controllers. A detailed design criterion for the SSFH controller is presented based on a frequency-response approach. Digital-implementation aspects (such as computation delays) and the phase margin of the system are taken into consideration during the design process. The SSFH and the multiresonant controllers are compared considering various criteria such as the computational load and the performances in terms of transient and steady-state response. It is concluded that the SSFH controller is a very interesting and execution time-saving structure for heavily distorted multifrequency applications, which is especially adapted for balanced or slightly unbalanced cases

53.5.28    T. Nussbaumer, M.L. Heldwein, J.W. Kolar, "Differential Mode Input Filter Design for a Three-Phase Buck-Type PWM Rectifier Based on Modeling of the EMC Test Receiver," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1649-1661, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: For a three-phase buck-type pulsewidth modulation rectifier input stage of a high-power telecommunications power supply module, a differential-mode (DM) electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) filter is designed for compliance to CISPR 22 Class B in the frequency range of 150 kHz-30 MHz. The design is based on a harmonic analysis of the rectifier input current and a mathematical model of the measurement procedure including the line impedance stabilization network (LISN) and the test receiver. Guidelines for a successful filter design are given, and components for a 5-kW rectifier prototype are selected. Furthermore, formulas for the estimation of the quasi-peak detector output based on the LISN output voltage spectrum are provided. The damping of filter resonances is optimized for a given attenuation in order to facilitate a higher stability margin for system control. Furthermore, the dependence of the filter input and output impedances and the attenuation characteristic on the inner mains impedance are discussed. As experimentally verified by using a three-phase common-/Differential-Mode separator, this procedure allows accurate prediction of the converter DM conducted emission levels and therefore could be employed in the design process of the rectifier system to ensure compliance to relevant EMC standards


Signal Processing and Control
53.5.29    B. Hredzak, G. Guo, J. Zhang, "New Method for Sensorless Measurement of Hard Disk Drives Imbalance," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1662-1668, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: At present, hard disk drives (HDDs) are balanced using external balancing machine after all the components of the HDD are assembled. Therefore, company's throughput is limited by a number of available balancing machines. Besides, an imbalance is measured only once after assembly, and for this reason, there is no possibility to measure if there is any change in imbalance of the HDD during its operation. New method proposed in this paper makes use of the existing head attached to the rotary actuator and position error signal written on the recording media to measure the value of imbalance of the HDD without the need of a balancing machine or any other additional sensors or components. Furthermore, the method enables to monitor and measure any possible changes in imbalance during the life span of the HDD. The proposed method is also attractive to be used in servo-pack writers where the imbalance has to be measured every time a new set of disks is loaded into the writer. Experimental results prove that the method is effective for the measurement of the imbalance of the HDD

53.5.30    K.C. Lee, S. Lee, M.H. Lee, "Worst Case Communication Delay of Real-Time Industrial Switched Ethernet With Multiple Levels," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1669-1676, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The industrial network, often referred to as fieldbus, becomes an indispensable component for intelligent manufacturing systems. Thus, in order to satisfy the real-time requirements of field devices such as sensors, actuators, and controllers, numerous fieldbus protocols have been developed. But, the application of fieldbus has been limited due to the high cost of hardware and the difficulty in interfacing with multivendor products. As an alternative to fieldbus, the Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) technology is being adapted to the industrial environment. However, the crucial technical obstacle of Ethernet is its nondeterministic behavior that cannot satisfy the real-time requirements. Recently, the switched Ethernet becomes a very promising alternative for real-time industrial application due to the elimination of uncertainties in Ethernet. This paper focuses on the application of the switched Ethernet with multiple levels (that is, cascade structure with multiple switching hubs) for real-time industrial networking. More specifically, this paper presents an analytical performance evaluation of the switched Ethernet with multiple levels from timing diagram analysis, and experimental evaluation from an experimental testbed of networked control system

53.5.31    S. Febardhanan, B. Bandyopadhyay, "Output Feedback Sliding-Mode Control for Uncertain Systems Using Fast Output Sampling Technique," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1677-1682, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper presents a method for achieving quasi-sliding mode for uncertain systems using a fast output sampling control strategy that avoids switching of control and, hence, avoids chattering. This method does not need the system states for feedback as it makes use of only the output samples for designing the controller. Thus, this methodology is more practical and easy to implement. The design technique is illustrated through two numerical examples

53.5.32    C.-C. Lee, M.-S. Hwang, I.-E. Liao, "Security Enhancement on a New Authentication Scheme With Anonymity for Wireless Environments," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1683-1687, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In a paper recently published in the IEEE Transactions on Consumer Electronics, Zhu and Ma proposed a new authentication scheme with anonymity for wireless environments. However, this paper shows that Zhu and Ma's scheme has some security weaknesses. Therefore, in this paper, a slight modification to their scheme is proposed to improve their shortcomings. As a result, the scheme proposed in this paper can enhance the security of Zhu and Ma's scheme. Finally, the performance of this scheme is analyzed. Compared with the Zhu-Ma scheme, this scheme is also simple and efficient


Robotics and Vision
53.5.33    S. Katsura, J. Suzuki, K. Ohnishi, "Pushing Operation by Flexible Manipulator Taking Environmental Information Into Account," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1688-1697, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Vibration suppression in a motion-control system is an important problem in industry applications. Recently, a number of studies about flexible manipulators have been reported. However, there is little published on pushing operation by flexible manipulators. Contact motion to an unknown environment is difficult, because the motion system should recognize the environmental stiffness and adapt to it at the time of collision. This paper proposes a pushing control by a flexible manipulator based on a resonance ratio control. The environmental information is estimated more accurately by using a position sensitive device. The proposed method is composed of three modes: 1) approaching; 2) touching; and 3) pushing. In the approaching mode, the resonance ratio control is applied to suppress the torsional vibration. Compliance control is installed in order to relax an impact force in the touching mode. Finally, a two-step controller is proposed for the pushing mode. In the first step, friction effects are identified by a friction-torque observer. Then, the pushing operation with compensation of the stick-slip friction is controlled based on the identification results in the second step. It is possible to remove an object to a desired position. The experimental results show viability of the proposed method

53.5.34    K. Khayati, P. Bigras, L.-A. Dessaint, "A Multistage Position/Force Control for Constrained Robotic Systems With Friction: Joint-Space Decomposition, Linearization, and Multiobjective Observer/Controller Synthesis Using LMI Formalism," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1698-1712, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A historical review of constrained robot modeling and control strategies is first introduced. Next, a design of a motion/force controller for a constrained servo-robot, which is based on a commonly known modeling structure, is proposed. The contact between the end-effector and the environment is subject to frictional features. Accordingly, the control plant is based on the LuGre friction closed-loop observer. Therefore, new nonlinear position and force input transforms, which are slightly different from classical computed torques, are proposed, combined with a new change of variable. The main purpose of this paper is to establish the stability condition by using the passivity of interconnected linear and nonlinear subplants. From then on, because of this formulation, the authors succeed in designing a full-order dynamic position feedback and an integral force controller that ensure exponential stabilization within an Hinfin multiobjective optimization. These conditions are expressed in terms of linear matrix inequalities. The performances are experimentally validated on a two-degrees-of-freedom robot manipulator acting on a horizontal worktable with friction. The LuGre model estimator exhibits a richer behavior in terms of friction compensation and positioning tracking when experimentally compared to the Karnopp friction compensation. The latter form exhibits poor modeling properties at zero crossings of the velocity

53.5.35    T.N. Chang, B. Cheng, P. Sriwilaijaroen, "Motion Control Firmware for High-Speed Robotic Systems," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1713-1722, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper addresses the hardware and software platforms of high-speed robot control systems, which are usually integrated with multimodal sensing, multiaxis motion, and complex algorithmic capabilities. In this paper, robot control is considered from numerical processor chip architecture, board-level features, to software development cycles. Various numerical processors ranging from general purpose processors to digital signal processors are examined. This is followed by a review of the common motion control boards. Cross platform and upward compatible software development are addressed. Finally, an example application of real-time slewing control of a high-speed industrial robot is provided

53.5.36    G. Kim, W. Chung, "Tripodal Schematic Control Architecture for Integration of Multi-Functional Indoor Service Robots," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1723-1736, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper discusses a control architecture and a system integration strategy for multifunctional indoor service robot public service robot (PSR) systems. The authors have built three versions of the PSR systems for four target service tasks, which are delivery, patrol, guidance, and floor cleaning. They clarify the requirements of the architecture in their applications, and propose the tripodal schematic control architecture as the solution to the architectural problems. The key idea of proposed architecture is to integrate robot systems using following three frameworks, layered functionality diagram, class diagram, and configuration diagram. The proposed architecture was successfully evaluated and implemented to PSR platforms for their target tasks. Experimental results clearly showed that the developed strategy was useful for developing the autonomous service robots

53.5.37    D. Lee, W. Chung, "Discrete-Status-Based Localization for Indoor Service Robots," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1737-1746, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper proposes a new localization strategy for indoor service robots. A mobile robot localization problem is difficult to solve by a single continuous algorithm. Major difficulties include dynamic changes of the real world, various uncertainties, limitation of sensor information, and so forth. To develop a practical localization solution, this paper proposes an integrated localization strategy based on the discrete status of the mobile robot. Uncertainties of navigation are specified and classified into discrete status, and then modeled as a Petri net-based discrete localization system. The proposed algorithm integrates developed computational schemes and robot behaviors with respect to the defined status. Major criteria of status discretization include geometric properties of the environment, existence of dynamic obstacles, and reliability level of the estimated position. An efficient map-matching scheme and a map-building strategy are developed toward practical implementations. This paper focuses on providing a synthesized practical localization method, which can deal with various uncertainties by explicit discretization of robot status. The feasibility of the proposed method is experimentally verified with prototype public service robots in dynamic real environments


Letters to the Editor
53.5.38    I. Cervantes, S. Perez-Teniers, "Zero-Voltage-Transition Control for a Class of Resonant Converters," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1747-1749, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The aim of this letter is to improve operation of a class of resonant converters and take quasi-resonant converters (QRCs) as a benchmark to realize this aim. In particular, a variable pulsewidth control scheme is proposed that ensures soft-switching conditions and reduces conduction losses. The control scheme has the feature of significant improvement of efficiency and wider voltage conversion ratio. The proposed controller modifies the pulsewidth of the square driving signal without modifying its frequency. This fact makes it able to be used as a complementary control action to voltage regulators. Results are illustrated via experimental work for the case of a boost-type zero-voltage-switching QRC

53.5.39    M.J. Meco-Gutierrez, F. Perez-Hidalgo, F. Vargas-Merino, J.R. Heredia-Larrubia, "A New PWM Technique Frequency Regulated Carrier for Induction Motors Supply," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1750-1754, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A new generated pulsewidth modulation (PWM) technique is presented herein, making it possible to significantly reduce harmonics in comparison to other common real-time PWMs. This reduction means that a motor connected to an inverter driven by this technique will undergo less overheating and vibrations, thereby improving its performance

53.5.40    M.A. Dalla Costa, R.N. Do Prado, "Lamp Improved Arrangement in the Half-Bridge Topology," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 5, pp. 1754-1756, Oct 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This letter presents a fluorescent-lamp improved arrangement in the half-bridge topology, putting one lamp in each branch of the converter. This arrangement allows a multilamp independent behavior. So, if one lamp is damaged, the other one keeps on working. In order to prove this independent arrangement, experimental results of one electronic ballast supplying two lamps with different wattage were shown

IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics

  IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics 

Volume 53,  Number 6, Dec 2006           Access to the journal on IEEE XPLORE     IE Transactions Home Page



                 Drive Control
53.6.1    C. M. G. Vega Gonzalez, J. R. Rodriguez Arribas, D. P. Ramirez Prieto, "Optimal Regulation of Electric Drives With Constant Load Torque," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 1762-1769, Dec 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Optimal time trajectories, based on the Pontryagin's maximum principle, are deduced for a squirrel-cage induction motor with constant load torque. These trajectories are valid for acceleration and deceleration with or without the load torque and for a loaded or unloaded motor, and ensure the minimal time transients with the stator current limited to the previously fixed value. Moreover, the optimal trajectories place the motor at the end of the transient at the minimum current point, which is close to the one of maximum efficiency, thus combining the brevity of the transients with the saving of energy. An optimal-time control system that implements these trajectories is designed. The results of the simulation of the proposed control system and the results of the experiments on a real drive are presented

53.6.2    R.-H. Horng, H.-L. Chou, A-C. Lee, "Rejection of Limit Cycles Induced From Disturbance Observers in Motion Control," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 1770-1780, Dec 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A disturbance observer (DOB) is generally introduced into motion control systems to eliminate the unwanted disturbance and plant uncertainty. Due to the quantization error from the sensors and D/A converter, DOB-based controller might generate limit cycles which severely decreases positioning accuracy as the system reaches steady-state positioning. This paper presents a sufficient condition for removing limit cycles and explores the condition to design controller parameters. In addition, since the parameters based on the condition make the system sluggish, an adaptive mechanism is introduced not only to maintain the system performance but also to eliminate limit cycles. The experimental results validate the analytical results and also illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method

53.6.3    J.-K. Seok, "Frequency-Spectrum-Based Antiwindup Compensator for PI-Controlled Systems," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 1781-1790, Dec 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper presents a frequency-spectrum-based conditional-integration antiwindup strategy for a general proportional-integral-type controller. The on/off condition of integral action is determined by a frequency-domain analysis of the actuator-input command without prior knowledge of set-point changes. The dynamic performance of the proposed scheme assures a desired tracking-response curve with minimal oscillation and settling time even with a change of operating conditions. This algorithm is useful in many high-performance induction-machine applications, as it does not allow the oscillation and overshoot of speed/torque responses. The main idea can be extended to general applications such as those involving chemical processes and industrial robots

53.6.4    G. Dong, O. Ojo, "Efficiency Optimizing Control of Induction Motor Using Natural Variables," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 1791-1798, Dec 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper presents a new approach of optimizing the efficiency of induction-motor drives through minimizing the copper and core losses. The induction-machine model, which accounts for the varying core-loss resistance and saturation dependent magnetizing inductance, uses natural and reference frame independent quantities as state variables. Utilization of the nonlinear geometric control methodology of input-output linearization with decoupling permits the implementation of the control in the stationary reference frame. This approach eliminates the need of synchronous reference transformation and flux alignment required in classical vector control schemes. The new efficiency optimizing formulation yields a reference rotor flux, which ensures a minimum loss and yields an improved efficiency of the drive system especially when driving part load. The proposed scheme and its advantages are demonstrated both by computer simulations and some experimental results for motor speed control

53.6.5    A. Bouscayrol, M. Pietrzak-David, P. Delarue, R. Pena-Eguiluz, P.-E. Vidal, X. Kestelyn, "Weighted Control of Traction Drives With Parallel-Connected AC Machines," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 1799-1806, Dec 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: AC machines supplied in parallel by a common voltage source inverter are sometimes used in industrial drives and railway traction applications. This reduction of power and control electronics leads to a reduction of cost, weight, and dimensions that is very useful for on-board systems. But this common supply imposes common voltages to all machines and the possibilities of independent behavior are reduced. In this paper, a graphical modeling is suggested to model such parallel drives for a railway application. A weighted control is then systematically deduced from this modeling and different possibilities of control are highlighted. Experimental results are provided to compare two of the deduced controls

53.6.6    A. M. S Mendes, A. J. Marques Cardoso, "Fault-Tolerant Operating Strategies Applied to Three-Phase Induction-Motor Drives," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 1807-1817, Dec 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper presents a comparative analysis involving several fault-tolerant operating strategies, applied to three-phase induction-motor drives, that intend to compensate for inverter faults. The results presented show the advantages and the inconveniences of several fault-tolerant drive structures, under different control techniques, such as the field-oriented control and the direct torque control. Experimental results concerning the performance of the three-phase induction motor, based on the analysis of some key parameters, like induction-motor efficiency, motor power factor, and harmonic distortion of both motor line currents and phase voltages, will be presented

53.6.7    X. Tu, L.-A. Dessaint, M. El Kahel, A. O. Barry, "A New Model of Synchronous Machine Internal Faults Based on Winding Distribution," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 1818-1828, Dec 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A synchronous machine internal faults model based on the actual winding arrangement is described in this paper. Based on the winding function approach, the machine inductances are calculated directly from the machine winding distribution, thereby the space harmonics produced by the machine windings are readily taken into account. Moreover, the calculation of the machine inductances is made easier by the use of the machine electrical parameters instead of the geometrical ones. Simulation results for internal faults on a laboratory generator are compared with experimental results to verify the accuracy of the proposed model

53.6.8    J.-H. Jung, B.-H. Kwon, "Corrosion Model of a Rotor-Bar-Under-Fault Progress in Induction Motors," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 1829-1841, Dec 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A corrosion model of a rotor-bar-under-fault progress in induction motors is presented for simulations of induction machines with a rotor-bar fault. A rotor-bar model is derived from the electromagnetic theory. A leakage inductance of the corrosion model of a rotor bar is calculated from the relations of magnetic energy, inductance, current, and magnetic-field intensity by Ampere's law. The leakage inductance and resistance of a rotor bar varies when the rotor bar rusts. In addition, the skin effect is considered to establish the practical model of a rotor bar. Consequently, the variation of resistance and leakage inductance has an effect on the results of motor dynamic simulations and experiments, since a corrosive rotor bar is one model of a rotor bar in fault progress. The results of simulations and experiments are shown to be in good agreement with the spectral analysis of stator-current harmonics. From the proposed corrosion model, motor current signature analysis can detect the fault of a corrosive rotor bar as the progress of a rotor-bar fault. Computer simulations were achieved using the MATLAB Simulink with an electrical model of a 3.7-kW, three-phase, and squirrel-cage induction motor. Also, experimental results were obtained by real induction motors, which had the same specification as the electrical model used in the simulation

53.6.9    J.-H. Jung, J.-J. Lee, B.-H. Kwon, "Online Diagnosis of Induction Motors Using MCSA," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 1842-1852, Dec 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In this paper, an online induction motor diagnosis system using motor current signature analysis (MCSA) with advanced signal-and-data-processing algorithms is proposed. MCSA is a method for motor diagnosis with stator-current signals. The proposed system diagnoses induction motors having four types of faults such as breakage of rotor bars and end rings, short-circuit of stator windings, bearing cracks, and air-gap eccentricity. Although MCSA is one of the most powerful online methods for diagnosing motor faults, it has some shortcomings, which degrade performance and accuracy of a motor-diagnosis system. Therefore, advanced signal-and-data-processing algorithms are proposed. They are composed of an optimal-slip-estimation algorithm, a proper-sample-selection algorithm, and a frequency auto search algorithm for achieving MCSA efficiently. The proposed system is able to ascertain four kinds of motor faults and diagnose the fault status of an induction motor. Experimental results obtained on 3.7-kW and 30-kW three-phase squirrel-cage induction motors and voltage-source inverters with a vector-control technique are discussed


Power Electronics
53.6.10    J. Meng, W. Ma, Q. Pan, Z. Zhao, L. Zhang, "Noise Source Lumped Circuit Modeling and Identification for Power Converters," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 1853-1861, Dec 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In this paper, a general lumped circuit modeling method is proposed to describe the conducted electromagnetic interference (EMI) coupling mechanism for the switching power converters. The EMI characteristics of the converters can be analytically deduced from a circuit theoretical viewpoint. The shunt and series impedance insertion method is introduced to identify the differential-mode (DM) and common-mode (CM) noise impedances and voltage sources. The procedure of parameters estimation for the noise models comprises several simple measurements and is convenient to be implemented. Experimental illustrations are also included to verify the validity of the proposed method. Comparison between the measured and predicted results shows that the EMI modeling method can provide adequate prediction of the EMI feature for power-switching converters

53.6.11    A. Balestrino, D. Corsanini, A. Landi, L. Sani, "Circle-Based Criteria for Performance Evaluation of Controlled DC–DC Switching Converters," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 1862-1869, Dec 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: An experimental method is proposed to estimate all design specifications represented by circles in the Nyquist plane (e.g., phase margin, sensitivity, and closed-loop bandwidth) in case of closed-loop dc/dc switching converters. The method is based on the complete root contour (CRC) analysis in the root locus plane. All typical specifications for controller design are experimentally checked in case of a boost converter, using only input/output data. The main innovation of this paper is the automatic and systematic application of the CRC method to controlled dc-dc converters. The classic relay-based structure for an experimental estimation of the critical parameters (autotune variation) is compared with a different technique, called sinusoidal autotune variation, more efficient in the case of nonlow-pass systems

53.6.12    R. Jain, N. Mohan, R. Ayyanar, R Button, "A Comprehensive Analysis of Hybrid Phase-Modulated Converter With Current-Doubler Rectifier and Comparison With Its Center-Tapped Counterpart," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 1870-1880, Dec 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A hybrid phase-modulated converter (HPMC) is a recent innovation in the family of soft-switching converters. It is a promising solution to most soft-switching issues. The principal bottleneck in achieving higher efficiency with this topology is the secondary side loss-mainly the losses in the transformer and the rectifier. For low-voltage high-current power supplies, the current-doubler rectification of HPMC addresses both the transformer conduction losses and the rectifier losses. The presence of an additional path for quiescent current in this scheme gives rise to a third mode of operation. There is also the possibility of magnetic integration of all the magnetic components into one, which can cause substantial reduction in magnetic requirements. These facts make the analysis of current doubler important. In this paper, all the operating modes are identified and corresponding equations and equivalent circuits that aid in filter and control design are derived. The zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) characteristics, filter requirement, small-signal transfer characteristics, device ratings, and magnetics size requirement are considered to compare this configuration with its center-tapped counterpart. The current-doubler scheme is found to have superior soft-switching characteristics in that it can achieve ZVS at lighter loads with a much lower peak magnetizing current in the transformer and leakage inductance. Also, a judicious choice of output current ripple can give an overall reduced magnetics requirement. The analyses are verified by simulation and hardware implementation. HPMC is found to be most advantageous for applications with input voltages essentially constant, but the output voltage widely varying, for example in battery chargers and converters with power factor correction front end

53.6.13    C.-H. Lin, "Digital-Dimming Controller With Current Spikes Elimination Technique for LCD Backlight Electronic Ballast," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 1881-1888, Dec 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A novel simple control strategy to improve the ignition behavior of a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) in digital-dimming mode is proposed in this paper. Due to restriking manipulation in the digital-dimming mode, the lamp life of CCFL is reduced substantially. For extending the lamp life, a digital-dimming controller with current spikes elimination technique is realized to reduce the high ignition voltage and eliminate the ignition current spike. The half-bridge resonant inverter is employed in the presented backlight system to assess the system performance. Complete analysis and design considerations are discussed in detail in this paper. Experimental results agree with the theoretical prediction. The overall efficiency of the system achieved at the rated power is over 84.9%. The ignition voltage is reduced about 30% without any lamp current spike that occurred under digital-dimming operation

53.6.14    H. Koizumi, T. Mizuno, T. Kaito, Y. Noda, N. Goshima, M. Kawasaki, K. Nagasaka, K. Kurokawa, "A Novel Microcontroller for Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 1889-1897, Dec 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to develop a novel microcontroller for grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems. As a prototype model, a 100-W-class module-integrated converter composed of the proposed controller and a flyback inverter has been built and tested. The prototype model is designed to satisfy the Japanese grid-connection guideline. Basic functions as those of a grid-connected PV inverter, such as the maximum-power-point tracking and the anti-islanding protection, have been confirmed in the experiments using a distribution network simulator located in a laboratory. This paper presents the description of the controller and the experimental results. A microcontroller has been developed with a 50-MHz-class microcomputer and simple interfaces. By revising the program, the proposed controller can be applied to various types of PV systems or grid-connected equipment

53.6.15    A. Chen, X. He, "Research on Hybrid-Clamped Multilevel-Inverter Topologies," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 1898-1907, Dec 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: The concept of hybrid clamped is proposed in multilevel-inverter topologies, and a hybrid-clamped multilevel-inverter topology comprising active and passive clamping devices is presented in this paper. In this topology, the dc-link capacitor voltages can be balanced without additional circuitry or separated dc voltage sources, regardless of load characteristics. It can be used in real and reactive power conversion applications. The topology structure, operating principle, and self-voltage balancing ability are analyzed. In addition, the validity is confirmed by simulations and experiments based on a five-level inverter. Finally, the functions of different clamping devices are compared

53.6.16    L. Yacoubi, K. Al-Haddad, L.-A. Dessaint, F. Fnaiech, "Linear and Nonlinear Control Techniques for a Three-Phase Three-Level NPC Boost Rectifier," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 1908-1918, Dec 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper deals with three control techniques for a three-phase three-level neutral-point-clamped (NPC) boost rectifier to study their relative performance. Linear, nonlinear, and nonlinear model reference adaptive control (MRAC) methods are developed to control power factor (PF) and regulate output and neutral point voltages. These controllers are designed in Simulink and implemented in real time using the DS1104 DSP of dSPACE for validation on a 1.2-kW prototype of an NPC boost rectifier operating at 1.92 kHz. The performance of boost converter with three control methods has been investigated respectively in steady state in terms of line-current harmonic distortion, efficiency, and PF and during transients such as load steps, utility disturbances, reactive power control, and dc-bus voltage tracking behavior. The linear PI controllers are characterized by reduced complexity but poor performance, whereas the nonlinear control technique has improved the converter performance significantly, while nonlinear MRAC exhibits much better performance in a wide operating range


Signal Processing and Control
53.6.17    L. G. B. Barbosa Rolim, D. R. Rodrigues da CostaJr., M. Aredes, "Analysis and Software Implementation of a Robust Synchronizing PLL Circuit Based on the pq Theory," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 1919-1926, Dec 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: This paper presents the analysis and software implementation of a robust synchronizing circuit, i.e., phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit, designed for use in the controller of active power line conditioners. The basic problem consists of designing a PLL circuit that can track accurately and continuously the positive-sequence component at the fundamental frequency and its phase angle even when the system voltage of the bus, to which the active power line conditioner is connected, is distorted and/or unbalanced. The fundamentals of the PLL circuit are discussed. It is shown that the PLL can fail in tracking the system voltage during startup under some adverse conditions. Moreover, it is shown that oscillations caused by the presence of subharmonics can be very critical and can pull the stable point of operation synchronized to that subharmonic frequency. Oscillations at the reference input are also discussed, and the solution of this problem is presented. Finally, experimental and simulation results are shown and compared

53.6.18    X. Li, S. K. Tso, X.-P. Guan, Q. Huang, "Improving Automatic Detection of Defects in Castings by Applying Wavelet Technique," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 1927-1934, Dec 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: X-ray-based inspection systems are a well-accepted technique for identification and evaluation of internal defects in castings, such as cracks, porosities, and foreign inclusions. In this paper, some images showing typical internal defects in the castings derived from an X-ray inspection system are processed by some traditional methods and wavelet technique in order to facilitate automatic detection of these internal defects. An X-ray inspection system used to detect the internal defects of castings and the typical internal casting defects is first addressed. Second, the second-order derivative and morphology operations, the row-by-row adaptive thresholding, and the two-dimensional (2-D) wavelet transform methods are described as potentially useful processing techniques. The first method can effectively detect air-holes and foreign-inclusion defects, and the second one can be suitable for detecting shrinkage cavities. Wavelet techniques, however, can effectively detect the three typical defects with a selected wavelet base and multiresolution levels. Results indicate that 2-D wavelet transform is a powerful method to analyze images derived from X-ray inspection for automatically detecting typical internal defects in the casting


Robotics and Vision
53.6.19    S. Katsura, K. Ohnishi, "A Realization of Haptic Training System by Multilateral Control," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 1935-1942, Dec 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: In recent years, the realization of a haptic system has been desired strongly in the fields of medical treatment and expert's skill acquisition. An integrated system design of the analysis of the interaction between a robot and the environment required for stable contact operation, an observation method of the reaction force from the environment, and the architecture of a bilateral control system are absolutely essential for acquisition and reproduction of a vivid tactile sensation. In this paper, a haptic training system is realized based on multilateral control. The law of action and reaction is attained by three robots. Bilateral control is extended, and multilateral control is introduced. Multilateral control is designed similarly as bilateral control based on modal decomposition; force is controlled in the common mode, and position is controlled in the differential mode. The scaling factors of position and force are set independently. Therefore, it is possible to change a trainer's assistant force according to a trainee's skill level. The proposed training system based on multilateral control will be a fundamental technology for the evolution of haptic devices

53.6.20    J. Lastowiecki, P. Staszewski, "Sliding Transformer With Long Magnetic Circuit for Contactless Electrical Energy Delivery to Mobile Receivers," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 1943-1948, Dec 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: A new type of sliding transformer with long magnetic core and movable secondary winding is presented. The basic transformer configurations and wiring are described. The magnetic flux distribution along the magnetic circuit and its influence on transformer parameters are discussed and examined. Also, the leakage inductance of the transformer primary winding, as the main cause of voltage drop and energy losses, has been discussed. The main experimental results of transformer model investigation are presented in this paper

53.6.21    "2006 Index," IEEE Trans. on Industrial Electronics, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 1951-1976, Dec 2006.   Abstract Link    Full Text

Abstract: Not Available