Optimal Pulsewidth Modulation for Feeding AC Motors

A pulsewidth modulation (PWM) technique is proposed, intended particularly for the reduction of the harmful effects of the harmonics in the inverter-fed drive systems. The approach is based on the minimization of the rms value of the current harmonics in the motor by a proper choice of the commutation angles. Switching patterns are calculated for a different number of commutations per period, for both single-phase and three-phase half-bridge inverters. In the case of the single-phase, an analytical procedure is developed which simplifies the computations. Comparisons are made of the results thus obtained with those given by other PWM techniques in use.