Chapter List

14.1 Introduction

Matrix converters were suggested many years ago [8] and have been attracting the interest of many researchers [9,10] recently. In this chapter the switching function method of analysis is employed first to derive the appropriate modulating frequency and then to produce input and output waveforms. Perhaps the switching function is best suited for the matrix converter because of the complexity of the switching patterns and the strict requirements imposed for the safety of the semiconductor switches.

The analysis is first performed with a two pulse switching function and the switching frequency is m times the mains frequency, ?. The converter is analysed for input and output phase voltage, input and output current for a star connected load; m can be chosen to be smaller or larger than one. The two pulse switching function gives amplitude control of the output voltage and at the same time it satisfies the two safety criteria applied in matrix converters: no two input lines must always be connected at the same time to a single output line and the load must always be connected to the input.

A two pulse switching function subjects the circuit to a wide spectrum of modulating frequencies, nm ?. The switching matrix is derived on the basis that each of the three input lines is connected to...