Modulated model predictve control (M2PC) for a 3-phase active front-end

One of the main issues with Model Predictive Control (MPC) applied to Power Electronics Converters is the ability to select only one output voltage vector which is applied during the whole sampling period. Such mode of operation requires, in order to improve the harmonic content, an increasing of the converter switching frequency which is variable depending on the operating conditions. In order to overcome these issues, whilst preserving all the advantages of MPC, this paper presents a novel Modulated Model Predictive Control, with the aim of obtaining a modulated waveform at the output of the converter without implementing an explicit modulation scheme. The proposed control technique is applied to the current control of a 2-Level, 3-Phase Active Rectifier, validated through simulation and experimental testing and compared to a traditional Model Predictive Control.