Project Proposal 2011

1. Project summary
This Project represents the software and microcontroller (PIC 18F4550) based
multimode single phase PWM inverter. The purpose of this project is to be able to
select from the three types of modes. They are the Square wave PWM, Regular
sampled PWM and Harmonic elimination PWM. It is also able to select the output
voltage, frequency and order of the harmonic through the computer interface
software. This can further be developed to Space vector modulation and to simulate
input/output waveforms. Each different mode calculates the corresponding switching
ON time (switching pattern) and is stored in the array in this software. It then sends it
to the microcontroller transmission through USB or serial peripheral interface.
Microcontroller using that switching pattern makes the final switching patterns and
dead time. The patterns are then sent to the power circuit unit through the drivers.

The advantage of using this project is to reduce the cost by reducing the
components used. It also has the added advantage of remote control through the
web.

However, we are limited by University regulations as to the AC voltage we can use

as output and test, the highest being 50v.

Methods and Techniques

The basic blocks diagram of the Software controlled multimode single phase inverter

DC Power Supply
Computer Interface

Microcontroller Power Circuit

Pic 18F4550

Mosfet driver AC Out

circuit

Fig. 1 Block diagram of the inverter

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 Project Proposal 2011
2.1 User Interface
Interface will use Visual Basic to design the software. According to the mode of
output signal user has to input the relevant parameters. For example for the regular
sampled mode the reference signal frequency has to be entered as a basic
parameter. However there should be a freedom for the user to select the carrier

signal frequency (r ), carrier signal amplitude (Vr) and thereby the modulation index
(m) etc.
Software control for this inverter brings advantages for the user. One Important
feature is that the hardware requirement is reduced to a great degree (memory of the
microcontroller and additional circuit for reference waveforms). Therefore, the cost is
reduced. The software simulation, calculations and comparator can replace almost
all the switching and control operations performed by hardware units. It is safe and
offers the user more options for the controlling. On the other hand remote operation
will be possible through the internet.

Fig. 2 Design Visual Basic interface software (This is still in the process of improvement)

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2.1.1 Mathematical operations
Mathematical models used to calculate the pulse on/off times for each mode of
operation are illustrated as below.
2.1.1.1 Square wave PWM

Vc
Vr
Leg A
Leg B

Fig. 3. Square -wave symmetric

Modulation index, is given by m = Vr / Vc
Carrier ratio, is given by p = fc / fr
Vr - Amplitude of reference signal
Vc - Peak amplitude of carrier signal
fr – Reference signal frequency
fc – Carrier signal frequency
2.1.1.2 Regular sampled PWM

Fig. 4.Regular sample -wave symmetric [8]

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 Project Proposal 2011
t = t0 T t = t0 + T V 1 =V r sin( ωr t 0 )
Sinusoid (V +V )T
with peak=Vr τ= c 1
 2V c
(V +V sin( ωr t 0 ))T
Vc V 1= c r
2V c
V1 T
V 1= (1+msin(ω r t 0 ))
2
t 1
τ= (1+m sin(2 πf r t 0 ))
Vc Bottom switch ON 2 pf r

Bottom switch ON Top switch ON 1

T=
pf r
Fig. 5.Regular sample quarter-wave symmetric [8]

This Values of  and Tc at each sampling point can be saving in an array and
transmitted to the microcontroller to start switching.

2.1.1.3 Harmonic elimination PWM

Fig. 6.Generalized quarter-wave symmetric [8]

A generalized bipolar PWM waveform with M number of chops per half-cycle is

depicted in Figure 5 It is assumed that this waveform is periodic and has half-wave
symmetry with per unit amplitude. If use m number of switching points per quarter
cycle, we can eliminate selected (m-1) number of harmonics Only odd harmonics
exist, Fourier Coefficients given by
∞
v AO =a 0 + ∑ (an cos nθ+b n sin nθ )
4 n=1
 Project Proposal 2011

m
2V d
.
bn =
nπ [1+2 ∑ (−1)k cos nα k
k =1 ]
Where a0 =0 , an =0
N+ 1
cos α 1 −cos α 2 … . … … … .. (−1 ) cos αN πVoA /4

[ cos 3 α 1
cos 5 α 1
.
.
cos 3 α 2
cos 5 α 2
.
.
… … … … . (−1 )N +1 cos 3 αN

.
.
N +1
… … … … .. (−1 ) cos 5 αN

N +1
cos( m−1) α 1 cos(m−1) α 2 … … … … … (−1 ) cos (m−1) αN
=

][ ]
0
0
.
.
0

2.2 Microcontroller
This family of devices offers the advantages of all PIC18 microcontrollers – namely,
high computational performance at an economical price – with the addition of high
endurance, Enhanced Flash program memory. This microcontroller is specially
developed for the generation of Sinusoidal PWM (SPWM) with dead time controller.
71 instructions/commands of microprocessor will have to be studied to design the
program.

Fig. 7 PIC 18F4550 microcontroller DIP pin configuration [6]

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 Project Proposal 2011

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 Project Proposal 2011

Fig. 8 Block diagram of the microcontroller [6]

The bottom part of the diagram consists of 4 timers/counters, 2
capture/compare/PWM registers, 10 bit A/D converter, and 1 USB.
PIC18F4550 devices all have two CCP (Capture/Compare/PWM) modules. Each
module contains a 16-bit register, which can operate as a 16-bit Capture register, a
16-bit Compare register or a PWM Master/Slave Duty Cycle register.

Fig. 9 PWM Direction change [6]

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 Project Proposal 2011
The dead time controller circuit is useful to make the design simpler and more
reliable. The most important thing is to reduce the cost and the number of
components.
2.3 MOSFET driver
The IR4426/IR4427 is a low voltage, high speed power MOSFET driver. Proprietary
latch immune CMOS technologies enable ruggedized monolithic construction. Logic
inputs are compatible with standard CMOS or LSTTL outputs. The output drivers
feature a high pulse current buffer stage designed for minimum driver cross-
conduction. Propagation delays between two channels are matched.

Fig. 10 IR4426/7 Typical Connection [7]

P1A, P1B pins are go to gate driver Leg A IC( IR4427) INA and INB respectively.
Other P1C and P1D pins go to gate driver Leg B IC(IR4426). The output voltage of
the gate driver IC is 6V - 20V.

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 Project Proposal 2011

Fig. 11 Outputs out of phase with inputs (IR4426) [7]

Fig. 12 Outputs in phase with inputs (IR4427) [7]

2.4 Power circuit

An H-bridge full bridge converter is a switching configuration composed of four
switches in an arrangement that resembles an H. By controlling different switches in
the bridge, a positive, negative, or zero potential voltage can be placed across a
load.

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 Project Proposal 2011
.

Fig. 13 Single phase full bridge inverter circuit [6]

As shown in Figure 2 the H-Bridge circuit consists of four switches corresponding to high
side left, high side right, low side left, and low side right. There are four possible switch
positions that can be used to obtain voltages across the load. These positions are outlined in
Table 1. Note that all other possibilities are omitted, as they would short circuit power to
ground, potentially causing damage to the device or rapidly depleting the power supply.

Table 1: Valid H-Bridge Switch States

High Side Left High Side Right Low Side Left Low Side Right Voltage Across Load
On Off Off On Positive
Off On On Off Negative
On On Off Off Zero Potential
Off Off On On Zero Potential

The switches used to implement an H-Bridge can be mechanical or built from solid
state transistors. Selection of the proper switches varies greatly. The use of P-

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 Project Proposal 2011
Channel MOSFETs on the high side and N-Channel MOSFETs on the low side is
easier, but using all N-Channel MOSFETs and a FET driver, lower “on” resistance
can be obtained resulting in reduced power loss.

Semester 1 2011

Week
Activities
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Find a topic and a supervisor

Discussion with supervisor on

project objectives and
requirement. Submit project
confirmation
Design visual basic interface and
study about microcontrollers
Researching on the project and
project literature review
Submit project proposal and
Library skill worksheet
Study about microcontroller
cording and application
Establish communication between
Visual basic interface and
microcontroller
Programming
microcontroller(coding) using
Square wave PWM
Observe and measure
microcontroller output wave forms
Submit Progress Report

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 Project Proposal 2011

Semester 2 2011

Activities
Week
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Design simulation circuits for

power and driver using PSpice or
OrCAD Software.
Build a power circuit and driver
circuit.
Observe and measure final out
put wave form and change or
alternation if it is necessary.
Design Printed Circuit Board
(PCB)
Programming
Microcontroller(coding) using
Regular wave PWM
Observe and measure final out
put wave form for Regular wave
PWM
Design method for Harmonic
wave PWM using Visual basic
software
Prepare project report and
submit
Project presentation

Reference

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 Project Proposal 2011
[1] Koutroulis, E., Chatzakis, J., Kalaitzakis, K., and N.C.Voulgaris, “A
bidirectional, sinusoidal, high-frequency inverter design”, IEE Proc.- Electr.
Power Appl., Vol. 148, No. 4, July 2001, pp. 315-318

[2] RASHID,M.M. “Power electronics: Circuits, devices and applications”,

Prentice-Hall, 1993, 2nd edn.
[3] John B Peatman, “Design with PIC microcontroller”, Pearson Education Inc.,
2000
[4] Mazidi, McKinlay & Causey, “PIC Microcontroller”, Prentice Hall Inc.,2007
[5] Mohaiminul Islam, S. M. (2009). Generation of 3 Phase Sinusoidal PWM
Signal with Variable Frequency By using Low Cost Microcontroller. Senior
Project Report Published by Independent University, Bangladesh.
[6] MICROCHIP. (2004). PIC18F2455/2550/4455/4550 Data Sheet. Michrochip
Techonology Inc.
[7] International Rectifier. (2006). IR4426/IR4427/IR4428(S) DUAL LOW SIDE
DRIVER. Retrieved November 10,2006, from
www.irf.com/product-info/datasheets/data/ ir4426.pd
[8] Perera, L. 2011. ENB455 Power Electronic: Lecture notes. Queensland
University of Technology, Blackboard website.
http://blackboard.qut.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?
tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute
%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_73505_1%26url%3D
[9] YING-YU , T., and SHIH-LIANG, J., “Full control of a PWM DCAC converter
for AC voltage regulation”, IEEE Trans. Aerosp. Electron.Syst., 1998, 34, (4),
pp. 1218–1226

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 Project Proposal 2011

BEB 801 Projects 1

Software controlled multimode

single phase inverter

Muthuthantrilage Wasantha Muthuthantri

06852335
Supervisor: Lasantha perera

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