Scalar PWM algorithms for four-switch three-phase inverters

Four-switch three-phase inverters (FSTPIs) have been proposed to be used in low-cost applications because of the reduced number of semiconductor devices, and space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) techniques have also been introduced to control FSTPIs. However, high-performance controllers are needed to implement complicated SVPWM algorithms, which limits their low-cost applications. To simplify algorithms and reduce the cost of implementation, an equivalent scalar method for SVPWM of FSTPIs is proposed. SVPWM for FSTPIs is actually a sine PWM by modulating two sine waves of 60° phase difference with a triangle wave, so such a special sine PWM can be used to control FSTPIs. The simulation and experimental results demonstrate the validity of the proposed method.