World Applied Sciences Journal 21 (3): 342-350, 2013

ISSN 1818-4952
IDOSI Publications, 2013
DOI: 10.5829/idosi.wasj.2013.21.3.2693

Switched Inductor Z-Source Matrix Converter Operation and Analysis

A. Gopi and R. Saravanakumar
School of Electrical Engineering, VIT University, Vellore, India
Abstract: This paper proposed a new type of converter called Single Phase Switched Inductor Z-source Matrix
Converter (SLMC). It is an ac-to-ac converter with diode bridge bidirectional switch cell. The limitations of
existing matrix converter like voltage regulation and quality output issues are overcome in the proposed SLMC
by adding the switched inductance. The simulation is performed for different frequencies. The simulation
results are presented to verify unit gain operation and compared with the existing Z-source matrix converter.
A prototype was constructed with a voltage of 20Vrms/50Hz. The performance of the proposed converter verified
with this hardware model. The experimental output voltage amplitude can be varied with the variable
frequencies. The output voltage and Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) are observed with 100Hz and 25Hz
frequencies for step-up operation.
Switched Inductor Z-source
Key words: Matrix Converter
Bidirectional Switch cell
INTRODUCTION

Total Harmonic

Distortion (THD)

ratios and improving output power quality that needed for

low ac voltage applications [2]. In the proposed converter
due to voltage transfer ratio the maximum output can be
improved to 87% for any type of modulation when
compared to indirect dc-link converters.
The first description of a matrix converter was
published in 1976 by Gyugyi and Pelly [3]. M.Venturini
[17] explained a new PWM technique was published in
1980 [17]. In the conventional single-phase matrix
converter topology, the ac output voltage cannot exceed
the ac input voltage [4]. So the impedance-source power
converter employs a unique impedance network to couple
the converter main circuit to the power source to
overcome these limitations. This Z-source concept can
apply to all dc-to-dc, ac-to-dc, dc-to-ac and ac-to-ac
power conversion [5]. The family of single-phase
Z-source ac-ac converters is proposed [6-8]. Bidirectional
switches of a single phase leg with switching algorithm
are implemented in computer simulation models used for
ac-ac converters [9-10, 19]. Further sinusoidal pulse
width modulation based commutation strategies without
intermediate dc link is discussed in [11]. The various
switching strategy and the comparison of modulation
techniques such as PWM, SVPWM and SVM used in the
Matrix Converters (MC) is analyzed [12]. Hidenori Hara
explained and reported that the use of safe-commutation

Matrix Converter (MC) is a single stage converter

removing the need for energy storage components used
in conventional rectifier-inverter based system. It uses
bi-directional fully controlled switches for direct
conversion from ac to ac. It can directly convert an ac
supply voltage of fixed amplitude and frequency into an
ac voltage of variable amplitude and frequency without a
large energy storage element. Practical applications of the
matrix converter are limited due to intrinsic limitation of
output and input voltage ratio. Earlier have a number of
merits, such as providing a larger range of output
voltages with the buckboost mode, reducing inrush and
harmonic current. However, no one has designed a
converter based on a Z-source structure and a matrix
converter topology that can provide ac-ac power
conversion with both a variable output voltage and a
step-changed frequency [1]. In applications where only
voltage regulation is needed, the family of single-phase
Z-source ac-ac converter is proposed. Recently, the work
on Z-source dc-ac inverters has focused developed
impedance type that is termed as the Switched Inductor
(SL) Z-source inverter. This is an impedance network
consists of split inductors and capacitors connected in
X-shape. This also provides high voltage conversion

Corresponding Author: A. Gopi, School of Electrical Engineering, VIT University, Vellore, India.
Tel: +919789255727.

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World Appl. Sci. J., 21 (3): 342-350, 2013

Matrix Converter Modification: The single phase matrix

converter modified with reduced the no. of controlled
switches is shown in fig. 1. This proposed matrix
converter is used to improve the limitation of existing
matrix converter. The output voltage and input currents
are shaped sinusoidal using a high pulse frequency.
Along with a small input filter, the Switched inductor cell
is also used as a filter to circulate the highfrequency
switching harmonics.

switches with pulse width modulation (PWM) control can

significantly improve the performance of ac-ac converters
[16]. Bidirectional ac-ac converter topologies applied to
industrial electronics-voltage regulators, induction motor
drives, wind power systems is explained in [13].
Application of matrix converter to variable speed
induction motor drive is explained by S. Sinter in [14].
Later Artificial Neural Network is introduced to replace the
SVM in Field Oriented Control system for drives in [15].
Recently single phase switched Inductor Z-source matrix
converter concept is used for voltage control on the
transmission line [18].
The existing Z-source Matrix converters have
limitations like voltage spectra, harmonics, power
quality, commutation and range operation. These
limitations can be overcome by using Proposed
Switched Inductor Z-source converter. The Switched
inductor Z- source is used to replace the Z-source;
it consists of four inductors in two Switched
inductor cells. Both of these Switched inductor cells
are used to store and transfer the energy from the
capacitors to the main circuit under switching action of
main circuit. All inductors and capacitors are small which
are used to filter switching noise. The waveform quality is
tested in terms of Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). THD
defined as the closeness in shape of output rms waveform
to the fundamental sinusoidal waveform. The proposed
output waveform met the IEEE/ANSI Standard 519 criteria
for THD magnitudes limitation of 15.0% maximum.

The Diode Bridge Bidirectional Switch: The matrix

converter requires a bi-directional switch which is
capable of blocking voltage and conducting current in
both directions. Unfortunately no such devices are
currently available, so discrete devices needed to be
used to construct suitable switch cells. These bidirectional switch arrangements consist of an IGBT
or MOSFET at the center of a single-phase diode
bridge arrangement as shown in Fig 2. The main
advantage is that both current directions are carried
by the same switch device therefore only one gate
driver is required per commutation cell. The ac
voltage across the single phase matrix convert Va is
maintained with unit gain by ac to ac switched inductor
Z-source converter. Then the singlephase matrix
converter modulates the frequency of Va. Fig.2 shows the
proposed single-phase Switched Inductance (SL)
Z-source matrix converter. It consists of an LC filter, a SL
Z-source network, bidirectional switches and RL load.

Fig. 1: General block diagram of the proposed topology

Fig. 2: Proposed single-phase switched inductance matrix converter

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World Appl. Sci. J., 21 (3): 342-350, 2013

Circuit Equations
Analysis of Proposed Converter: The proposed SIMC
analysis begins with the following assumptions:
All capacitors and switches are ideal, lossless,
parasitic resistance of L1 & L2 is the same and equal. The
parasitic resistance r much smaller than the load
impedance, hence it is neglected in this analysis. The
converter is operating in the continuous conduction
mode; and switching frequency is more than the cutoff
frequency of the output filter and the frequency of the
input and output voltages.
The Matrix Converter of 2 2 switches, shown in
above Fig.2 it connects a single phase voltage source
with a inductive load. So that the input terminals should
not be short-circuited and an output phase must never be
opened. The four power switching devices are switched
at high frequency
fs

fi & fo ( fi

& fo

Fig. 3: Single phase switched inductor Topology

Now Vo can be derived by the following equations;
Vi ( t )
Vo (t )

2Vi sin

dio(t )
dt
LL 2,VSL 2 VL 3 VL 4
L)
sin( t

Rio (t )

VSL1 LL1
VSL1 VSL 2

VC1 VC 2 sin( t
o)
Vout sin( t

(1)

i(t )

(2)

C)

Defining the switching function of a single switch as

L,
c,
0 are phase angles of Z-source inductor voltage
and capacitor voltage and output voltage.

1, switch _ Sab clased

0, switch _ Sab open

Sab
a

1, 2

x, y

State 1: In tis mode, S1 is turned ON and S 2 is turned OFF

as shown in Fig. 3. In Active state (Ton), the time interval
in this state (1-D)*T. Where D is the duty ratio and T
is the switching period.

The constrainsts discussed above can be expressed

by

d
ii V i Vc1 ri i
dt
d
Vc 2 risL 2
( SL 2) isL 2
dt
dii
Li
Vi Vc1 Vc 2
dt
(3)
The equations during this state,
dvc1
C1
iLi ii
dt
dvc 2
C2
iLi ii
dt
dvii
V0
Ci
ii
dt
R
( SL1)

S1x + S2y = 1
The load and source voltage are referenced to the
supply neutral, 0 in the Fig.3 and can be expressed as
vectors defined by
Vo

va ( t )
0

;Vi

VA(t )
0

The relationship between load and input voltages

can be expressed as

Here the SL1 = L1 + L2 and SL2 = L3 + L4

va (t )

S 1x

S1y

Vi

S 2x S 2 y

Va (t )

S 1xV i (t )

State 2: In this mode , S1 is turned OFF and S2 is turned

ON as shown in Fig. 3. In Active state (Ton), At time
interval in this state D*T. Then the equations becomes,

S 1 y (0)

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World Appl. Sci. J., 21 (3): 342-350, 2013

d
ii Vi Vc 2 rii
dt
d
Vc1 risL 2
( SL 2) isL 2
dt
dii
Li
Vi
dt
dvc1
C1
i sL 2
dt
dvc 2
C2
iSL1
dt
dvii
V0
Ci
ii
dt
R
( SL1)

(4)

Fig. 4: Proposed SL Z-source diagram

From state 1 and state 2 equations, we get the
averaged equations
d
( SL1) ii (1 D )(Vi Vc1 rii ) D (Vi Vc 2 rii )
dt
d
( SL 2) isL 2 (1 D)( Vc 2 risL 2) D (Vc1 risL 2)
dt
dii
Li
(1 D)( V i Vc1 Vc 2) D ( V i)
dt
dvc1
C1
(1 D )( iLi ii ) D( isL 2)
dt
dvc 2
C2
(1 D)( iLi ii ) D( iSL1)
dt
dvii
V0
V0
Ci
(1 D )( ii
) D (ii
)
dt
R
R

VSL1 V ( L1 L 2)

At Ton state L1, L2, L3 & L4 are connected in series, net

output voltage becomes,
Vc1(t )

ii

1 D
Vi Vo Va
1 2D
1 D Vi
.
1 2D R

VC 2

1 D
Vi
1 2D

Vc 2 (t ) Vo (t )

Vci (t ) Vi ( t )

(5)
The inductor current ISL1 is increases during
switching ON and decreases during switching
OFF. During switching ON, the corresponding
voltage across VSL1, VSL1-ON is equal to VC2 which is
expressed by ,

In ideal cases when r = 0 , From the averaged

equation (6) , the equations for capacitor voltages, output
voltages and input currents and inductor currents are as
follows,
VC1

(7)

VSL 2 V ( L3 L 4)

VsL1

ON

1 D
T (Vc ) VsL 2
(1 2 D)

OFF

(8)

The inductor current iL2 is increases during

switching ON and decreases during switching OFF.
The corresponding voltage across VSL2 are equal to VC1
and (VC2-Vin+VSL1-OFF)

(6)

1 D
Vi
1 2D

DTVC1 (1 2 D )T (VC 2 Vi

Analysis of SL Z-Source: The circuit diagram shown in

Fig. 4. Consists of consists of inductors L1, L2, L3 & L4
and capacitors C1 & C2 and six diodes. The combination
of L1-L3-D1-D3-D5, & L2-L4-D2-D4-D6, perform the switched
inductor cell in the top and the bottom respectively.
Depends on the switching strategy the voltage and
current stress are varied by connecting inductors series
and parallel. Boost ability of SL Z-source described below.

DTVi

(1 2 D )T (VC Vi

1 D
V C)
1 2D

1 D
VC )
1 2D

(9)

(10)

VC1 = VC2 = VC

Vo

345

D
Vin
(1 D)

(11)

World Appl. Sci. J., 21 (3): 342-350, 2013

Li= 0.1H, Ci=0. H,

L1= L2 = L3 = L4 mH,
C1= C2 = 10 H,
R = 10 k and Lf=3mH

From the above input-output relationship, it can be

observed that when D = > 0.5, Vo is more than the input
voltage Vi. Hence this topology gives step-up or high
gains.
The capacitor voltage gain
KC

VC
Vi

The values for the switching frequency , input

voltage and the output voltage 20kHz , 230Vrms/50Hz and
226.87Vrms/25Hz respectively is used for simulation.
Table 1 shows the voltage gain Ko, T.H.D and Power
factor for unit gain operation. Fig.5 & Fig.6 shows the
simulation results for the proposed singlephase SL
Z-source matrix converter at output frequencies of 100 Hz
and 25Hz respectively. Table 2 shows the performance
comparison of proposed Switched inductor Z-source with
existing Z-source at different output simulated
frequencies. The proposed Z-source circuit decreases the
T.H.D. values from 26.30% to 23.18% and improves the
power factor values from 0.69 to 0.82 when compare with
the existing Z-source at output frequency 100Hz.
Fig. 7: Shows the simulated output voltage waveform
at unity gain.

(12)

The output voltage gain

Ko

Vo
Vi

D
1 D

(13)

where Vi and Vo are the RMS value of input voltage and

output voltages respectively.
RESULTS
Simulation Results: The proposed single phase Switched
inductor Z-source matrix converter is simulated using
ORCAD software and properties are described before
implementing in to the hardware. The values for the LC
input filter, switched inductor Z-source network, load is
considered is as given below,

Experimental Setup: The proposed Switched inductor

Z-source Matrix converter is constructed as a prototype
which is shown in shown in Fig.8 and Fig.9.

Table 1: Simulation waveform for different output frequency

Input Freq. (fi) Hz

Output Freq. (fo) Hz

Input voltage (Vi)

Output voltage (Vo)

Voltage gain (Ko)

T.H.D.

P.F.

50

100

230

224.06

0.974

23.18%

0.82

25

230

226.87

0.986

16.57%

0.88

Table 2: Performance Comparison of Proposed SL Z-Source with existing Z-Source

(fi) Hz

(fo) Hz

Z-source

SL

Z-source

50

T.H.D

100

26.30%

23.18%

0.69

0.82

18.73%

16.57%

0.78

0.88

P.F.
50

T.H.D

25

P.F.

Fig. 5: Simulated waveform for output frequency of 100 Hz

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World Appl. Sci. J., 21 (3): 342-350, 2013

Fig. 6: Simulated waveform for output frequency of 25 Hz

Fig. 7: Unity gain simulated output Voltage waveform

Fig. 8: SL Z-source SPMC Hardware model Side View Photograph

Fig. 9: Hardware experimental setup

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World Appl. Sci. J., 21 (3): 342-350, 2013

Fig. 10: Experimental results 100 Hz Output frequency

Fig. 12: THD measurement for 100 Hz

Fig. 11: Experimental results 25 Hz Output frequency

Fig. 13: THD measurement for 25 Hz

Table 3: Experimental Results

Input

Output

T.H.D.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------

Volt (Vi)

Freq. (Hz)

Freq. (Hz)

Unit gain

Volt Boost

Unit gain%

Boost Mode %

20

50

100

20.0

26

6.6

8.0

20

50

25

19.6

25.6

5.2

7.6

Table 4: Duty Cycle and output voltage for different frequencies

100 Hz

25 Hz

Boost D = 0.56

26.0

25.6

Unit gain D = 0.5

20.0

19.6

The input to the prototype model is given through

230V/20V ratio, 50Hz single phase transformer. The
transformer secondary is the main source input of
SPSIMC. Hence the input to the prototype model is 20V,
50Hz. All bidirectional switches used for the prototype
model is constructed with four diode and one MOSFET.
MOSFET is used because prototype model is constructed
for low power.

The control signal is generated

programmed microcontroller. Depending
desired output frequency, the controller
four control signals (four PWM signals
four switches S1 & S2 and S3 & S4 of
phase matrix converter) and one PWM
bidirectional switch connected series
SL Z-source of MC).
348

form the
on the
generates
to control
the singlesignal to
with the

World Appl. Sci. J., 21 (3): 342-350, 2013

T.H.D. is measured using Fluke made Power Quality

analyzer which shows as in Fig. 9. Different output
frequency in different amplitude waveform are observed
and measured.

The simulated results compared with present Z-source

in various frequencies. Based on the simulation results
the use of safe commutation strategy is a significant
improvement on voltage spectra. The maximum THD
obtained from hardware and simulation is 8% which met
the IEEE/ANSI standard 519. These simulation and
experimental results are useful to demonstrate the new
features of the improvement of this topology.

Experimental Results: The use of the safe-commutation

strategy provides an improvement in the waveform quality
measured in the form of Total Harmonic Distortion (THD).
The output waveform is observed by using Digital Signal
Oscilloscope and THD is measured by using the Fluke
made power quality analyzer. The output results obtained
from the prototype for the 100 Hz & 25 Hz frequencies is
in the Fig. 10. & Fig. 11 respectively. T.H.D output for 100
Hz and 25Hz frequency is shown in Fig. 12. and Fig. 13
respectively at D=0.56. The output voltage lifted up to
26V & 25.6V for the 100Hz & 25Hz frequencies
respectively (Table No.5). Hence it is realized with the
theoretical output voltage Vo equation (6). Here the
harmonic spectrum shows the odd harmonics up to
21 frequencies are in higher magnitude. So the percentage
distortion in the output looks higher the value up to 18%
in case of 100Hz output frequency.
The experimental results show that the output
voltage can be controlled at variable amplitude.
Furthermore, an input frequency of 50Hz can convert
an output frequency of 100Hz (step-up frequency);
25Hz (step down frequency). In other words, by changing
the switching strategy, we can change output frequency.
Thus, the proposed single-phase SL Z-source matrix
converter is used to vary the voltage and frequency.
The experimental results are tabulated in Table 4 and
Table 5.
At unit gain operation T.H.D is reduced to 6.6% in
100Hz output frequency and 5.2% in 25Hz is shown in
Table No.4. Hence 100Hz system the sequence of
switching operation are more, so the T.H.D. value raised
when compare to the lower frequency of 25Hz system.
Because of limitations in the power hardware setup, the
prototype was intended only to verify the operational
concept.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Authors gratefully acknowledge the management of
Vellore Institute of Technology, VIT University, Vellore
for technical support provided by them.
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CONCLUSION
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inductive load due to the application of SI Z-source.
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