FPGA-Based Implementation of MMC Control Based on Sorting Networks

Mattia Ricco, Laszlo Mathe, Eric Monmasson and Remus Teodorescu
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Mattia Ricco: Department of Energy Technology, Aalborg University, 9100 Aalborg, Denmark
Laszlo Mathe: Department of Energy Technology, Aalborg University, 9100 Aalborg, Denmark
Eric Monmasson: SATIE lab, Cergy-Pontoise University, 95031 Cergy Pontoise, France
Remus Teodorescu: Department of Energy Technology, Aalborg University, 9100 Aalborg, Denmark

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 9, 1-18

Abstract: In Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) applications, the balancing of the capacitor voltages is one of the most important issues for achieving the proper behavior of the MMC. The Capacitor Voltage Balancing (CVB) control is usually based on classical sorting algorithms which consist of repetitive/recursive loops. This leads to an increase of the execution time when many Sub-Modules (SMs) are employed. When the execution time of the balancing is longer than the sampling period, the proper operation of the MMC cannot be ensured. Moreover, due to their inherent sequential operation, sorting algorithms are suitable for software implementation (microcontrollers or DSPs), but they are not appropriate for a hardware implementation. Instead, in this paper, Sorting Networks (SNs) are proposed due to their convenience for implementation in FPGA devices. The advantages and the main challenges of the Bitonic SN in MMC applications are discussed and different FPGA implementations are presented. Simulation results are provided in normal and faulty conditions. Moreover, a comparison with the widely used bubble sorting algorithm and max/min approach is made in terms of execution time and performance. Finally, hardware-in-the-loop results are shown to prove the effectiveness of the implemented SN.

Keywords: modular multilevel converters; capacitor voltage balancing; sorting networks; field-programmable gate array (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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