Realization of a three-phase indirect matrix converter with an indirect vector modulation method

This paper presents the simulation and measurement results of a three-phase 5 kVA vector modulated indirect matrix converter (IMC). Functionally the IMC is very similar to the direct matrix converter (DMC) but it has separate line and load bridges. The indirect vector modulation method (IVM) is presented using space vector theory instead of conventional matrix form. Most research on IMC modulation has been done using triangular wave voltage command modulation (TVM). However, microcontroller technology is nowadays more flexible and multifunctional than analog technology. For microcontrollers vector modulation is more appropriate than TVM. Thus, the IVM with microcontroller was used instead of conventional TVM with analog technology. The benefits of the IMC are sinusoidal input current waveform, very low input current distortion and controllable input power factor. Simulations and measurements confirmed these benefits. Measured efficiency of the IMC prototype was 0.97.