Boost Rectifier Using Single-Phase Matrix Converter

R.Baharom, Student Member, IEEE, M.K.Hamzah, Senior Member, IEEE, K.S. Muhammad and N.R. Hamzah
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia
Email : mie_2344@yahoo.com.my / mustafar@ieee.org

Abstract :- A new boost rectifier using single-phase matrix 2. BOOST TOPOLOGY

converter topology is presented that could synthesize a greater
DC output voltage from a given AC supply voltage. Basic
operation on single-phase matrix converter which implements
boost operation is outlined. Selected simulations and
experimental results are presented.
Keywords: Single-Phase Matrix Converter (SPMC), Controlled
Boost Rectifier, Boost Rectifier.
1. INTRODUCTION
Development of advanced power semiconductor devices,
increased usage of power switching circuits and other power
electronic applications are becoming a common place within
modern commercial and industrial environment particularly in
applications for AC-DC conversions. Classical rectifier
normally uses bridge-diode without affording any control
function and is unidirectional in nature. Bidirectional
operation is also possible with the inclusion of anti-parallel
switch in H-bridge topology but is not fully controllable.
Alternative topologies such as matrix converters (MC) present
future potential and are an emerging research topic. It offers
an “all silicon” solution for AC-AC conversion, removing the
need for reactive energy storage components used in
conventional rectifier-inverter based system. The key element
in a matrix converter is the fully controlled four-quadrant
bidirectional switch, which allows high frequency operation.
Previous works are based on three-phase circuit topologies;
with single-phase matrix converter (SPMC) emerging with
works on AC-AC, DC-DC, DC-AC conversion and more
recently the AC-DC rectifier [1, 2]. Previous works has
described the operation complete with its commutation
strategies, but appears to have additional redundant switches
in its operation. Boost function has been described but without
a complete description on the operation.
Boost converters are widely used for electronic power
supplies, in which the desired output voltage is high compared
to a typical ac input voltage level; i.e v out ≥ v in . Generally, a
single-inductor, single-switch boost converter topology and its
variations exhibits satisfactory performance in the majority of
applications. In conventional topology, the power switching
device and load are grounded as shown in Fig.1. where the
operation are divided into two modes; mode one for the switch
is turn ‘on’ and mode two for the switch is turn ‘off’ and can
be summarized as;
Mode 1: During switch turn ‘on’, the inductor stores energy
whiles the inductor current IL increases as shown in Fig. 2.
Mode 2: During switch turn ‘off’, the inductor current decays
as the stored energy is released to the output as shown in Fig.
2. In this stage, the energy retained by the inductor are
transferred to the load.
This is the simplest topology which requires only a single
switching device to be controlled. However, the uncontrolled
bridge circuit may not be used in bidirectional and
regenerative operations.
Fig. 1: Main Circuit Diagram of Boost Converter

In this paper the basic SPMC topology will be reviewed based
on controlled rectifier operation by suitable switching
schemes. IGBTs are used as the main power switching device.
Simple resistive load will initially be used, followed by
inclusion of simple capacitor filter to remove ripples at the
load. Subsequently the input side will be provided with an
inductance that is used for boost rectifier operation.
Commutation problems that lead to switching spikes are also
discussed with proposed safe-commutation algorithm
implemented. A simple ‘on-off’ control with variations in duty
cycle will be presented. Previous commutation strategies are
evaluated to take into account, with modifications to suit.
3. SPMC TOPOLOGY
The Single-phase matrix converter (SPMC) shown in Fig. 3
was first realized by Zuckerberger in 1997 [4] with other
works on AC-AC [5], DC-DC [6] and some works on AC-DC
[1, 2] conversion. This topology consists of a matrix of input
and output lines with four bidirectional switches connecting
the single-phase input to the single-phase output at the
intersections. Each of the individual switch is capable of
conducting current in both directions, whilst at the same time
capable of blocking voltage [1,2,5 & 6].

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Fig. 2: Ideal Waveform of Boost Converter
4. COMMUTATION PROBLEM
One of the problems associated with using of matrix converter
topology is that spikes are generated during switch transitions
when supplying RL loads; limiting the use in industry
applications [8]. Theoretically the switching in the SPMC
must be instantaneous and simultaneous; unfortunately it is
impossible for realization in practical systems due to the turn
‘on/off’ times within the IGBT characteristics, where the turn
‘off’ delay time is 420ns whilst the turn ‘on’ time is 75ns as
illustrated in Fig. 4 that will create a short circuit during
commutation. Without commutation problem also occur
during switch turn ‘off’ transforming the stored energy in the
inductor into switching spikes.
To solve these difficulties, safe commutation strategy was
developed to prevent from current and voltage spikes induced
by manipulation of the switch according to the switching state
in Table 1 [1 , 2]. By referring to Fig. 3 for state 1 (positive
cycle), switch S1a is controlled by PWM signal, whilst S4a
and S3b is turn ‘on’ for positive state. With this proposed
technique, the energy stored at the inductor will be released
and flow back to the negative path during switch turn ‘off’.
This arrangement is similarly implemented for negative cycle,
where switch S3b is controlled by the PWM signal, whilst S1a
and S2b is turned ‘on’ for negative state as illustrated in Fig. 5
& 6.

Fig. 3 : Proposed Boost rectifier using SPMC topology Fig 4: Time on/off proposed switch

S1a S1b S2a S2b

S1a S1b S2a S2b

V(ac) + Vo(t) V(ac) Vo(t)

- + -
L R L R

S3a S3b S4a S4b S3a S3b S4a S4b

Fig. 5: Safe commutation strategy (positive state) Fig. 6: Safe commutation strategy (positive state)
switch s1a s1b s2a s2b s3a s3b s4a s4b
Mode ON' PWM
positive
cycle pwm off off off off on on off positive cycle S1a & S4a S3a
negative negative cycle S3b & S2b S4b
cycle on off off on off pwm off off
Table 1: switching state for safe commutation strategy Table 2: switching state for boost rectifier operation

Fig. 7: Controlled rectifier using SPMC (positive state) Fig. 8: Controlled rectifier using SPMC (negative state)

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 Fig. 9: Boost rectifier topology (positive state) Fig. 10: Boost rectifier topology (negative state)

Fig. 11: PWM waveform Fig. 12: Switching algorithm for boost rectifier

Fig. 13: Mode 1 Fig. 14: Mode 2 Fig. 15: Mode 3 Fig. 16: Mode 4

5. CONTROL STRATEGY FOR BOOST RECTIFIER (discharging operation). The current that was flowing through
OPERATION USING SPMC the switches S3a would now flow through the load. The
inductor current falls until switch S3a is turned on again in the
A single-phase controlled rectifier using SPMC is shown in
next state. The energy stored in inductor L is transferred to the
Fig. 7 & 8 which is derived from the PWM switching as
load. Mode 3 and 4 shows similar operation during negative
shown in Fig. 11 according the switching algorithm as shown
cycle. The equivalent circuits for the modes of operation are
in Fig. 12. Fig 9 & 10 illustrate the operation of boost rectifier
shown in Fig. 13 & 14 for positive cycle operation and Fig. 15
following the switching scheme as tabulated in Table 2. The
& 16 for negative cycle. For the continuous load current,
basic operation of controlled rectifier using SPMC has been
assumptions are made that the current rises or falls linearly.
described in [1 & 2] but not explicitly described in terms of
Hence, when the inductor current rises from I1 to I2 in time t1,
boost rectifier operation. For boost rectifier operation; the pair
of switches S1a & S4a are turn into ‘on’ state whilst switch
S3a implements ‘PWM’ control for inductor charging/ I 2 − I1 ∆I ∆IL
discharging for positive cycle operation. For negative cycle Vs = L =L or t1 = ---- (1)
operation, the pair of switches S3b & S2b are turn into ‘on’ t1 t1 Vs
state, whilst switch S4b provides control using PWM. The And inductor current falls linearly from I2 to I1 in time t2,
boost inductor L is connected in the ac side [3]. For this work,
the different switching frequency of 1 kHz and 5 kHz were ∆I ∆IL
used to generate the PWM signal to control the switches S3a Vs − Vout = − L or t2 = ---- (2)
and S4b for boost operation. t2 Vout − Vs
6. ANALYSIS OF THE PROPOSED BOOST RECTIFIER
Where ∆I = I 2 − I 1 the peak-to-peak is ripple current of
In a boost regulator the output voltage is greater than the input
inductor L. From equations (1) and (2)
voltage [7]. The proposed operation can be divided into two
modes. Mode 1 begins when S1a and S3a is turn into ‘on’ at Vs t1 (Vout − Vs )t 2
t=0 (charging operation). The input current, which rises, flows
∆I = = ---- (3)
L L
through the inductor L. Mode 2 begins when switch S1a and
S4a is turn into ‘on’ at t = t1 whilst S3a is turn into ‘off’

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Substituting t1 = kT and t2 = (1-k)T yields the average output I out
voltage, Is = ---- (7)
T V 1− k
Vout = Vs = s ---- (4) The switching period T can be found from
t2 1 − k
Which gives 1 ∆IL ∆IL ∆ILVout
T= = t1 + t 2 = + =
(1 − k ) = Vs ---- (5) f Vs Vout − Vs Vs (Vout − Vs )
Vout And this gives the peak-to-peak ripple current:
Substituting k = t1/T = t1f into equation (5) yields Vs (Vout − Vs )
∆I = ---- (9)
Vout − Vs fLVout
t1 ---- (6)
Vout f
Vs k
Assuming a lossless ∆I = ---- (10)
circuit, V s I s = Vout I out = V s I out / (1 − k ) and the average fL
input current is

Fig. 17: Boost rectifier Fig. 18: Boost controller Fig. 19: PWM generator Fig. 20:Bidirectional
(MLS) (MLS) ( MLS) Switch

SPECIFICATIONS OF THE
EXPERIMENTAL TEST RIG
Boost inductor, L 3 mH
Switching frequency, fs 1 kHz & 5 kHz
Output resistance, Ro 50 Ω
Supply voltage, Vs 30 Vp-p
Types of IGBT BUP 314D

Fig. 21: Experimental switching scheme Table 3: Specifications of the Fig. 22: Experimental test rig
for boost operation experimental test rig

7. SIMULATION AND EXPERIMENTAL VERIFICATIONS 21. In this project, the switching frequency of 1 kHz and 5
kHz was used to investigate the characteristics of boost
The proposed control concept is verified through simulation
converter changing the modulation index for 0.2, 0.5 and 0.8.
using MATLAB/Simulink as shown in Fig.17 to 20 and also
The results obtained through the simulation using
experimentally on a laboratory test rig shown in Fig. 22. For
Matlab/Simulink and PSpice are compared with the
simulation implementation, Power System Block Set (PSB) in
experimental test-rig where the specifications are tabulated in
MATLAB/Simulink (MLS) is used to model and simulate the
Table 3.
circuit. The supply voltage of 30 Vp-p and boost inductor
value of 2 mH was used in the simulation and experimental 8. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
test-rig. The controller circuit as shown in Fig. 18 & 19
The results presented were arranged accordance to the
(simulation in MLS) is implemented using microcontroller
following; Fig. 25 to 26 shows the investigations on the output
PIC16F84A to generate the pulse width modulation (PWM)
voltage for the boost rectifier using switching frequency of 1
switching signal for control of the switches as shown in Fig.

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kHz whilst Fig. 27 to 29 are based on a 5 kHz switching
frequency. Based on the graph plotted [Fig. 23 & 24], it is
clearly shown that the high frequency will result in higher
output voltage which means that the use of high modulation
index will achieve maximum output voltage. At modulation
index of 0.8, the output voltage achieve is up to 250 Vp-p for
1 kHz switching frequency. At the same value of modulation
index the output voltage achieved is up to 300 Vp-p for 5 kHz
switching frequency. Fig. 25 and 26 shows the simulation
results for the output voltage whilst Fig. 27 shows the
experimental results to verify the proposed topology using a
switching frequency of 1 kHz. At a switching frequency of 5
kHz results are as shown in Fig. 28 to 30; where close
agreement between simulation and experimental work are
observed.

300 350

250 300

250
200
200
voltage (V)

voltage (V)
150
150
100
100

50 PSpice 50 PSpice
MLS MLS
experiment experiment
0 0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9
modulation index (ma) modulation index (ma)

Fig. 23: Graph output voltage (Vpk-pk) plotted against Fig. 24: Graph output voltage (Vpk-pk) plotted against
modulation index using 1 kHz switching frequency modulation index using 5 kHz switching frequency

Fig. 25: Output voltage with ma=0.5 for fs=1 kHz using MLS Fig. 26: Output voltage with ma=0.5 for fs=1 kHz using PSpice

Scale:
X axis : 4mV/div
Y axis : 20V/div

1 >
1

Fig. 27: Output voltage with ma=0.5 for fs=1 kHz for Fig. 28: Output voltage with ma=0.5 for fs=5 kHz using MLS
experimental test rig

Scale:
X axis : 4mV/div
Y axis : 15V/div

1 >
1

Fig. 29: Output voltage with ma=0.5 for fs=5 kHz using Fig. 30: Output voltage with ma=0.5 for fs=5 kHz for
PSpice experimental test rig

9. CONCLUSION rectifier operation. The proposed topology could be used for

the power factor correction using boost rectifier technique for
This paper briefly describes successful implementation of
non-linear load operation. The SPMC could be effectively
boost rectifier using SPMC topology. This new topology will
used for controlled boost rectifier application. It is shown that
provide another alternative for application of controlled boost
the SPMC topology has inherent versatility extending beyond

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the direct AC-AC converter, DC chopper and rectifier
operation. Further advancement could be developed with
redundant switches available but are subject to future research.
This paper described one such advancement that has been
explored.
10. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Financial support from Ministry of Science, Technology and
Innovation (MOSTI) Malaysia EScience Grant No: 03-01-01-
SF0190 is gratefully acknowledged for implementation of this
project. Financial assistance of National Science Fellowship
(NSF-MOSTI) Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi MARA is
also gratefully acknowledged.
11. REFERENCES
[1] Baharom R.,A.S.A. Hasim, M.K.Hamzah and A.F Omar; “A New
Single-Phase Controlled Rectifier Using Single-Phase Matrix
Converter Topology”. Proceeding for IEEE First International Power
and Energy Conference, PECON 2006.
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[2] Baharom, R. and M.K.Hamzah, “A New Single-Phase Controlled
Rectifier Using Single-Phase Matrix Converter Topology
Incorporating Active Power Filter”. Proceeding for IEEE
International Electric Machines and Drives Conference, 2007.
IEMDC 07, 3-5 May. Antalya,, Turkey.
[3] “A High-Performance Single-Phase Rectifier with Input Power
Factor Correction”. IEEE Transaction on Power Electronics, Vol. 11,
No. 2, March 1996.
[4] Zuckerberger, A., Weinstock, D., Alexandrovitz A., “Single-phase
Matrix Converter,” IEE Proc. Electric Power App, Vol.144(4), Jul
1997 pp. 235-240
[5] Zahiruddin Idris, Mustafar Kamal Hamzah & Ahmad Maliki Omar
“Implementation of Single-Phase Matrix Converter as a Direct AC-
AC Converter Synthesized Using Sinusoidal Pulse Width
Modulation with Passive Load Condition”, IEEE Sixth International
Conference PEDS 2005, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
[6] Siti Zaliha Mohammad Noor, Mustafar Kamal Hamzah & Ahmad
Farid Abidin, “Modelling and Simulation of a DC Chopper Using
Single Phase Matrix Converter Topology” IEEE Sixth International
Conference PEDS 2005, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
[7] Muhammad H. Rashid; “Power Electronics Circuits, Devices, and
Applications”. 3rd Ed., Prentice Hall, 2004.
[8] Lixiang Wei and Thomas. A Lipo, “A Novel Matrix Converter
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