Low-dropout regulator

About: Low-dropout regulator is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 9101 publications have been published within this topic receiving 117117 citations. The topic is also known as: LDO regulator.

Discrete-Time Current Regulator Design for AC Machine Drives

Abstract: This paper analyzes the behavior of discrete-time current regulators for ac machines operating at high ratios of fundamental-to-sampling frequencies, a situation common for high-speed automotive drives and large-traction drives. At high ratios of fundamental-to-sampling frequencies, highly oscillatory, or unstable, response can occur if the current regulator design does not properly incorporate the effects of the discrete nature of the controller, including delays between the sampling of signals and the application of the voltage commands through pulse-width modulation (PWM). This paper investigates these issues for different design methods and current regulator topologies. As part of this investigation, a simple discrete-time domain ac machine model is developed that includes the delays associated with PWM. This model is then used to design a discrete-time domain version of the complex vector PI current regulator that demonstrates improved response compared with the other regulators studied. Simulation and experimental results are provided to compare the performance, stability, and robustness of the current regulators analyzed.

Droop-Free Distributed Control for AC Microgrids

Abstract: A cooperative distributed secondary/primary control paradigm for AC microgrids is proposed. This solution replaces the centralized secondary control and the primary-level droop mechanism of each inverter with three separate regulators: voltage, reactive power, and active power regulators. A sparse communication network is spanned across the microgrid to facilitate limited data exchange among inverter controllers. Each controller processes its local and neighbors' information to update its voltage magnitude and frequency (or, equivalently, phase angle) set points. A voltage estimator finds the average voltage across the microgrid, which is then compared to the rated voltage to produce the first-voltage correction term. The reactive power regulator at each inverter compares its normalized reactive power with those of its neighbors, and the difference is fed to a subsequent PI controller that generates the second-voltage correction term. The controller adds the voltage correction terms to the microgrid rated voltage (provided by the tertiary control) to generate the local voltage magnitude set point. The voltage regulators collectively adjust the average voltage of the microgrid at the rated voltage. The voltage regulators allow different set points for different bus voltages and, thus, account for the line impedance effects. Moreover, the reactive power regulators adjust the voltage to achieve proportional reactive load sharing. The third module, the active power regulator, compares the local normalized active power of each inverter with its neighbors' and uses the difference to update the frequency and, accordingly, the phase angle of that inverter. The global dynamic model of the microgrid, including distribution grid, regulator modules, and the communication network, is derived, and controller design guidelines are provided. Steady-state performance analysis shows that the proposed controller can accurately handle the global voltage regulation and proportional load sharing. An AC microgrid prototype is set up, where the controller performance, plug-and-play capability, and resiliency to the failure in the communication links are successfully verified.

Current regulator for modulating brightness levels of solid state lighting

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides a current regulator for controlling variable brightness levels for solid state lighting. The current regulator is couplable to a phase-modulating switch, such as a dimmer switch, which is coupled to an AC line voltage. An exemplary current regulator includes a rectifier; a switching power supply providing a first current; an impedance matching circuit; and a controller. The impedance matching circuit is adapted to provide a second current through the phase-modulating switch when a magnitude of the first current is below a first predetermined threshold, such as a holding current of a triac of the phase-modulating switch. The controller is adapted to determine a root-mean-square (RMS) voltage level provided by the phase-modulating switch from the AC line voltage and to determine a duty cycle for pulse-width current modulation by the switching power supply in response to the comparison of the RMS voltage level to a nominal voltage level.

Suppressing DC Voltage Ripples of MMC-HVDC Under Unbalanced Grid Conditions

Abstract: There are second-order harmonics in the dc voltage and current when the MMC-HVDC system is under unbalanced grid conditions, even if the negative-sequence current controller is employed. This paper presents a supplementary dc voltage ripple suppressing controller (DCVRSC) to eliminate the second-order harmonic in the dc voltage of the MMC-HVDC system. The instantaneous power of the converter arm and phase unit indicates that there are zero-sequence double-line frequency components in the three-phase unit voltages when the ac system is under an unbalanced fault. Since the zero-sequence components cannot be offset by each other, they lead to the second-order harmonic in the dc voltage and dc current. The DCVRSC is developed to compensate the zero-sequence components in three-phase unit voltages. Simulation results based on a detailed PSCAD/EMTDC model prove that the DCVRSC can eliminate the second-order harmonic in the dc voltage. Meanwhile, the ac currents are kept balanced under the unbalanced fault conditions.

Sensor-Less Five-Level Packed U-Cell (PUC5) Inverter Operating in Stand-Alone and Grid-Connected Modes

Abstract: In this paper, a new mode of operation has been introduced for packed U-cell (PUC) inverter. A sensor-less voltage control based on redundant switching states is designed for the five-level packed U-cell (PUC5) inverter, which is integrated into switching process. The sensor-less voltage control is in charge of fixing the dc capacitor voltage at half of the dc source value results in generating symmetric five-level voltage waveform at the output with low harmonic distortion. The sensor-less voltage regulator reduces the complexity of the control system, which makes the proposed converter appealing for industrial applications. An external current controller has been applied for grid-connected application of the introduced sensor-less PUC5 to inject active and reactive power from inverter to the grid with arbitrary power factor, while the PUC auxiliary dc bus is regulated only by sensor-less controller combined with new switching pattern. Experimental results obtained in stand-alone and grid-connected operating modes of proposed PUC5 inverter prove the fast response and good dynamic performance of the designed sensor-less voltage control in balancing the dc capacitor voltage at desired level.