A GUI based simulation of power electronic converters and reactive power compensators using MATLAB/SIMULINK

This paper presents an intuitive graphical user interface for simulation of various topologies of DC-DC converters, AC-DC converters and reactive power compensators. The simulator is developed using GUIDE tool of MATLAB, which acts as a front-end interface. The circuits are simulated using SIMULINK power system toolbox of MATLAB. The user can select a circuit for a class of converter/compensator from the available list. Once the topology is selected, the software prompts the user to give the specifications. The corresponding simulink model for the circuit is selected and simulated in the background in a user-transparent manner. The user can selectively view the waveforms at various nodes and through elements. In case of DC-DC converters an additional option of step-by-step design for desired topology is available in which the user will be guided by the simulator for selection of parameters depending upon design specifications such as continuous or discontinuous inductor current, required ripple in the output voltage etc. The simulations obtained using this developed package are verified using a circuit oriented PSIM simulator and they are closely matching with each other. Thus, this package can prove to be useful learning tool for the power community.