Development of voltage source converter using HiL simulation system

This paper describes and compares two approaches to the development of the voltage source converter. The first approach is the implementation of only the off-line simulation, while the second one also involves the on-line simulation using the hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) system. Particular importance was given to the role of the HiL simulation system in the testing of the control algorithm and the control electronic. The hardware structure and software support for the implementation of HiL simulation in real time and the necessary adjustments in order to utilize the full functionality of the system are described. An off-line simulation model developed in the software package PLECS and a model adapted for execution in the corresponding to RT Box simulation device are shown on the example of the development of fan drive converter. The simulation results were compared with the results obtained by experimental testing of the developed converter. It is shown that the implementation of HiL simulation can largely predict errors in converter design, especially errors in the control algorithm that can not be detected by off-line simulations.

I. Introduction

The development of the industrial prototype of the electronic power converter begins by proving the feasibility and the basic technical characteristics of the proposed concept [1] . For these purposes, various computer simulation tools are used to simulate the electrical behavior of the converter. Two fundamental approaches to the simulation of the power section and control electronic of the converter are commonly used. The first, (traditional) approach is the implementation of off-line simulation only, while the second one involves on-line simulation using the hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) system [2 – 7] .