Design and analysis of a six-phase Vienna rectifier

Abstract

The Vienna rectifier is named after the city of Vienna, Austria. The rectifier was originally developed for use in telecommunications power supplies, but it has since been adopted for a wide range of applications. The Vienna rectifier is a versatile and reliable power supply circuit that is well-suited for a variety of applications. A Vienna rectifier is an electronic circuit used to convert an alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). The rectifier converts the AC signal using a diode bridge and then smooths it using a capacitor. The diode bridge consists of four diodes and directs the AC signal in a single direction. This allows the signal to flow in the same direction during both the positive and negative half-periods of the signal. The rectified signal is then smoothed using a capacitor. The capacitor absorbs the signal's ripple, creating a smoother output signal. Telecommunications equipment requires stable and regulated DC power supplies to operate reliably. Vienna rectifiers are well-suited for this application due to their high efficiency, low noise, and ability to handle high current loads. They are often used in base stations, switching equipment, and routers to convert AC mains voltage into regulated DC voltage for telecom devices. Further, LED lighting systems are becoming increasingly popular due to their energy efficiency and long lifespan. Vienna rectifiers are a key component in LED drivers, which convert AC mains voltage into DC voltage with a regulated current for driving LED lights. Their ability to handle high current loads and generate low ripples makes them ideal for LED applications. On the other hand, UPS systems are essential for critical applications that require continuous power supply during power outages or disturbances. On the other hand, Industrial motor drives control the speed and torque of electric motors, which are widely used in manufacturing, transportation, and other industrial applications. Vienna rectifiers can be used in motor drives to convert AC mains voltage into DC voltage for driving DC motors or to rectify the AC generated by induction motors. Medical equipment often requires stable and regulated DC power supplies to ensure accurate and reliable operation. Vienna rectifiers are well-suited for this application due to their low noise and ability to handle high current loads. They are often used in medical imaging devices, life support equipment, and other medical devices. Battery charging systems are used to charge batteries in various applications, such as electric vehicles, power tools, and mobile devices. Vienna rectifiers can be used in battery chargers to control the charging process and regulate the charging voltage and current. Their efficiency and ability to handle high current loads make them well-suited for battery charging applications. One of the primary applications of Vienna rectifiers is MEA, and it is the conversion of AC power from onboard generators or the aircraft's auxiliary power unit (APU) to DC power for various electrical systems. This includes power distribution to propulsion systems, avionics, lighting, and other essential components. In addition to power conversion, Vienna rectifiers are also being employed in the control and regulation of electric motors and motor drives used in aircraft systems. Their ability to handle high current loads and provide stable DC power is crucial for the accurate and efficient operation of these electric systems. Increasing of the six phases systems caused demand of the six phase rectifications. Six-phase rectification is a power conversion technique that uses six alternating current (AC) sources to deliver a smoother and more stable direct current (DC) output. This technique is becoming increasingly important in modern applications where high-power density and low ripple are required. Six-phase rectification produces a much lower ripple in the DC output compared to single-phase or three-phase rectification. This is because the six AC sources are evenly spaced in time, which helps to smooth out the AC waveform. Six-phase rectifiers can operate at higher power densities than their single-phase or three-phase counterparts. This is because they can handle higher current loads without sacrificing ripple control. Six-phase rectifiers produce less noise than single-phase or three-phase rectifiers. This is because they have a lower ripple frequency, which makes it more difficult for the noise to couple into sensitive electronic circuits. In this study, a six-phase Vienna rectifier was designed, and its performance was compared to that of a three-phase Vienna rectifier. Power loss, total harmonic distortion (THD), and semiconductor temperature were analyzed through their simulation models in PLECs. Requested output voltages are 650V, 700V, 750V and 800V, and requested output currents are 4A, 8A, 12A, 16A, 20A, 24A, 28A, 32A and 36A. Configurations of these voltages and currents were run in simulation, and results were presented. The used control method of the designed Vienna rectifiers is hysteresis control. Hysteresis control is a used control strategy employed in Vienna rectifiers for regulating the output voltage. Consequently, the six-phase Vienna rectifier has more advantages over the three-phase Vienna rectifier. A six-phase rectifier requires fewer switching operations to achieve the same output power as a three-phase rectifier. This results in lower switching losses and, therefore, lower power loss. A six-phase rectifier produces a smoother output voltage than a three-phase rectifier. This results in lower THD of the input current, especially for high power demands. A six-phase rectifier uses a lower switching loss, and conduction loss than a three-phase rectifier. This results in lower semiconductor temperature.