Abstract - Applications of electric vehicles need to build a

large number of charging stations. In order to reduce the grid

load, it is necessary to develop smart electric vehicle charging
stations. The Electric vehicle charging stations communicate with
the gird. The Electric vehicle charge at night to reduce the cost
and the grid load, simultaneously fill the valley. When grid load
increase, electric vehicles battery discharge to the grid to improve
grid stability. As distributed storage units, electric vehicles are
important components of smart grid. New technology of high
power factor PWM rectifier-inverter is one of the key
technologies for the smart electric vehicle charging system. In
this paper, three-phase PWM rectifier used for smart charging
and discharging system of electric vehicle is analyzed and
designed. The paper includes the principle of PWM
Rectifier-Inverter and direct current control strategy. Also, the
SVPWM and system design of three-phase PWM rectifier are
analyzed. A 10kW prototype is developed. Simulation and
experiment results show that the three-phase PWM rectifier can
improve power factor. From the experimental results, PWM
rectifier implements the grid current sinusoidal and achieves the
unit power factor.
I. INTRODUCTION
Electric vehicle charging systems are infrastructures and
equipment which provide power supply to power battery of
electric vehicle, mainly including battery exchange station and
charging pole and charging station. V2G mode refers that
electric vehicle communicate with energy management system,
and under its control to exchange energy with the grid. Under
V2G mode, electric vehicles can be used as energy storage
units and transfer power to grid.
The traditional electric vehicle charging system use diode
rectifier bridges topology cascade with DC-DC. Diode
Rectifier Bridges have the following disadvantages: the input
current harmonic content is high and absorbs reactive power
from the grid. Hence the input power factor is very low, and
can only transfer power from grid to load.
To solve the above problems, this paper presents
three-phase PWM rectifier topology for electric charging
station. Three-phase PWM rectifier has the following
advantages: sinusoidal grid current, low THD, and unit power
factor. In rectifier mode, three-phase PWM rectifier charges
the battery. Also in inverter mode, three-phase PWM rectifier
transfers the power to the grid. Therefore three-phase PWM
rectifier achieves electric vehicle V2G mode.
II. PRINCIPLE OF PWM RECTIFIER-INVERTER
The following Fig. 1 is main circuit of a two-level voltage

This Paper was supported by the National Science Foundation of China,
Project no (51077122)
three-phase PWM rectifier, which is composed of three phase
inductance, three-phase IGBT bridge, the capacitor, and the
battery load.

Fig. 1. Three-phase PWM rectifier
When the input three-phase voltage is balanced, three
phase PWM rectifier is equivalent to single phase circuit. In
this Fig. 2, Ea is the grid potential, L is power inductor, and
the equivalent resistor R is resistance of source plus with the
resistance of inductor. Va is the equivalent inverted DC
voltage.

Fig. 2. Single-phase equivalent circuit
The following Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are the operation modes of
three-phase PWM rectifier, in which the three-phase PWM
rectifier can operate in four quadrants. E is the grid potential
vector, VL is the inductance voltage vector, and V is the
voltage vector. Ignoring the equivalent resistance R,
three-phase PWM rectifier can operate in four special modes.

Fig. 3. Pure inductor unity power factor rectifier
When it operates on A point, the PWM rectifier only
absorbs inductive reactive power from power grid. When
operates on B point, we can achieve unity power factor
rectifier control.

Fig. 4. Pure capacitor unity power factor inverter
A Novel High Power Factor PWM Rectifier
Inverter for Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Lei Shi, Haiping Xu, Dongxu Li, Zengquan Yuan
Institute of Electrical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

E-mail: shilei@mail.iee.ac.cn

When it operates on C point, the PWM rectifier absorbs
capacitive reactive power from power grid. When it operates
on D point, we can achieve unity power factor active
inverter control.
When the voltage vector V runs in the circular arcs AB,
the three-phase PWM rectifier operates in rectifier mode and
absorbs active power and inductive reactive power from grid.
When the voltage vector V runs in the circular arcs BC, the
three-phase PWM rectifier operates in rectifier mode and
absorbs active power and capacitive reactive power from grid.
When the voltage vector V runs in the circular arcs CD, the
three-phase PWM rectifier operates in active inverter mode.
Hence the gird absorbs power from DC load. When the
voltage vector V runs in the circular arcs DA, the three-phase
PWM rectifier operates in active inverter mode. Hence the
gird absorbs active power and inductive reactive power from
DC load.
III. DIRECT CURRENT CONTROL STRATEGY
Phase and amplitude control which generates voltage
modulation signal based on the steady-state voltage vector is
the first proposed control strategy of PWM rectifier-inverter.
Since the control of current loop is not involved, the control
strategy is based on relationship of system in steady-state.
Thus, the system does not have a good current regulation and
a rapid dynamic response and the control of system rely on the
parameters of system.
PWM rectifier-inverter with direct current control[1] [3]
[4] can get a good current regulation and a good current
tracking speed because of the introduction of the current loop
control.

Fig. 5. DQ coordinate system
The Fig. 5 is the Rotating coordinate system. Direction of
d axes coincides with composite vector of three-phase voltage
and rotating coordinate system rotates synchronously with
composite vector of three-phase voltage in angular speed .
q-axes leads d-axes in 90 degreed. Three-phase voltage and
three-phase current can transform into variables of rotating
coordinate system according to the PARK transformation and
CLARK transformation. Expression of PARK transformation
is shown below.
_
IB = Iu cos + Iqsin
IQ = -Iu sin + Iq cos
(1)
is the angle difference of rotating coordinate and static
coordinate. Variables of d-axes and q-axes are direct current
components when the input three-phase voltage is balanced.
D-axes is the active power axes of rotating coordinate system.
Differential equation of current in d axes and q axes is given
below according to the d-q coordinate transform module.
_
L
rc
dI
d
dt
= e
d
- R
rc
i
d
-v
d
+ L
rc
i
q
L
rc
dI
q
dt
= e
q
- R
rc
i
q
- v
q
- L
rc
i
d
(2)
Hence control of system current closed loop is designed,
and the control module is shown below.
_
v
d
-
= -[K
dp
+
K
d
S
(i
d
-
- i
d
) + e
d
+ L
rc
i
q
v
q
-
= -[K
qp
+
K
q
S
(i
q
-
- i
q
) + e
q
-L
rc
i
d
(3)
Coupling current in d-axes and q-axes can be eliminated
by the method of coordinate transform and feed forward
decoupling control. Thus, the direct control can achieve
decoupling control of active and positive power of grid
voltage.
Frame of control strategy is shown in Fig. 6. The outer is
voltage loop control which is to control the output of DC
voltage. The outer voltage loop output is the Q axis current
reference, and the positive Q axis current reference means
the power flow is from the grid to load, meanwhile the
negative Q axis current reference means the power flow is
from the load to grid. The inner current loop regulates the DQ
current by PI controller to achieve the unit power factor.
L
L

Fig. 6. Direct current control
IV. SVPWM OF PWM RECTIFIER-INVERTER
The fundamental line-to-line output voltage generated by
SVPWM is 1.15 times higher than SPWM. Space vector of
voltage generated by SVPWM track the reference space vector
generated by current regulator in rotating d-q coordinate
system. Three phase space vector contains six nonzero vectors
and two zero vectors. The objective of space vector PWM
technique is to approximate the reference voltage vector by a
combination of the eight switching patterns. The Fig. 7 is the
explanation of SVPWM.
Six vectors divide the complex plane to six sectors and any
voltage vector reference in the sector can be approximated by
the two fundamental vectors in the sector.

Fig. 7. SVPWM
Symmetric space vector PWM waveforms are shown in
Fig. 8. Sap Sbp Scp are the waveforms of upper switches of
PWM rectifier. To reduce switch loss, the zero vectors should

be chosen appropriately.

Fig. 8. SVPWM wave form
V. SYSTEM DESIGN & CALCULATION
The main circuit of the 10kW prototype of PWM rectifier
consists of three-phase inductances, IGBT Rectifier Bridge,
DC capacitor, and resistance load. The IGBT Rectifier Bridge
used here is 1200V/100A IPM module from MITSUBISHI,
which can protect over current, over voltage and over heat.
The current LEM sample the currents in phase A and B, and
the voltage LEM sample the input line voltage Uab and the
bus bar voltage Udc. The sampling frequency and the
switching frequency are 10 kHz. The PWM wave is generated
according to the SVPWM.
The value of the inductance in the alternate current circuit
is relative to the static operation point, the current responses,
and the amplitude of the harmonic currents. The rapid current
response requires a relatively high value of di/dt, but a lower
value is needed in order to limit the amplitude of the harmonic
currents. The minimum value of the inductance to limit the
harmonic currents meets the requirement below:
L
(2v
uc
-SE
m
)E
m
T
s
2v
uc
I
max
(4)
Vdc stands for direct current voltage, and Em is the
voltage peak value in the power grid. Imax is the maxim value
for the current pulse, 10% of the currents peak value. Ts is
switching frequency.
The maxim value of the inductance for rapid tracking the
current zero point meets the requirement as follows:
L
2Vdc
3I
m

(5)
Within this formula, is the angular frequency of the
power grid. Im is 1.5 times as high as the peak value of the
current in the grid side when the output power is normal rated.
Hence L=7mH.
The value of the DC capacitor is relative to the maximum
voltage increase from rectifier mode to inverter mode, the DC
voltage responses, and the amplitude of the voltage
harmonic. If the PWM rectifier changes from rectifier mode
to inverter mode, the DC capacitor increases rapidly. In the
time t
r
, the DC capacitor voltage changes from the diode
rectifier voltage to reference voltage. Hence the maxim DC
capacitor is derived.
C
t

R
DC
In
V
dc0
-I
maxR
DC
V
dc
-
-I
maxR
DC
(6)
In the formula, v
dc0
=1.25Uab Uab is line voltage RMS
value.
The minimum value of the DC capacitor is relative to
the voltage fluctuation When the PWM rectifier switch
rectifier mode to inverter mode. The energy in the DC
capacitor is W and the maximum voltage fluctuation is v
r
.
C >
W(t)
V
dc
V

(7)
v
r
= 1u%v
dc
P=10kW I
max
= u.9I
m
v
dc
= 6uuv
If the PWM rectifier changes from rectifier mode to
inverter mode, the rectifier output rated power during 20
sample periods.
Hence SSSuF < C < 1244uF C=1200uF.
TMS320 F2812 DSP is chosen as the control core of VSR
and MAX502 is chosen as DA chip. The control program is
designed in C language and control flow-process diagram is
shown in Fig9. A main program and an interrupt program are
contained in the control program.
After the system is initialized, the cycle program is run for
waiting for the timer1 interrupt. System run the timer1
interrupt program every 100us and the interrupt program
flow-process diagram is shown in Fig. 9. Interrupt program
contains AD sample, system safe model, detect of zero
crossing of grid voltage, detect of line voltage synchronous
angle, d-q transformation, voltage and current regulation,
and calculation of switching time of SVPWM. After
calculating the switching time of the switches, the program
exit the interrupt program, and return to the cycle program.

Fig. 9. Timer interrupt program
VI. SIMULATION RESULTS
Three-phase voltage-source PWM rectifier is simulated in
the Saber environment. Simulation parameter settings are the
followings: inductor 7mH, resistor 0.1ohm, grid voltage 220V
50Hz, output capacitor 600uF. Power devices are ideal
switches.
In the Open-loop mode, Simulation parameter settings are
the followings: grid voltage 28V, the 82V battery. The Fig. 10
is three-phase voltage waveforms and current waveforms in

the open-loop rectifier mode. The modulation wave lags in
phase of the corresponding grid 30 degrees. SPWM
modulation is 1.From top to bottom; the figure10 is the phase
A phase B phase C voltage waveforms and current waveforms.
Simulation results show that in rectifier mode the power factor
is 1.

Fig. 10. Three-phase grid voltage and current in rectifier mode
The Fig. 11 is three-phase voltage and current waveforms
in the open-loop inverter mode. The grid lags in phase of the
corresponding modulation wave 30 degrees. SPWM
modulation is 1. From top to bottom, the figure11 is the phase
A phases B phase C voltage waveforms and current
waveforms. Simulation results show that in inverter mode the
power factor is 1.

Fig. 11. Three-phase grid voltage and current in inverter mode
In the Closed-loop mode, Simulation parameter settings
are the followings: grid voltage 220V 50Hz and the 700V
battery. In the current loop DQ coordinate transformation is
used to control Id and Iq. In the voltage loop, SPWM
modulation is calculated. From top to bottom, the Fig. 12 is
the phase A phase B phase C voltage waveforms and current
waveforms in the close-loop mode. Simulation results show
that in rectifier mode the power factor is 1.

Fig. 12. Three-phase grid voltage and current in rectifier mode
From top to bottom, the Fig. 13 is the phase A phase B
phase C voltage waveforms and current waveforms in the
close-loop mode. Simulation results show that in inverter
mode the power factor is 1.

Fig. 13. Three-phase grid voltage and current in inverter mode
VII. EXPERIMENT RESULTS
The Fig. 14 is three-phase SVPWM waveform and CH1
CH2 CH3 is phase A phase B phase C SVPWM respectively.
Experimental waveforms show that the three-phase SVPWM
are correct.

Fig. 14. Three-phase SVPWM
The Fig. 15 is line voltage Uab zero crossing detection
waveform.CH3 is the line voltage Uab (100V/div), CH1 is the
line voltage Uab sample, and CH2 is zero crossing detection.
Experimental waveforms show that zero crossing detection
synchronize line voltage.

Fig. 15. Line voltage zero crossing detection
The Fig. 16 is line voltage Uab synchronization waveform.
CH1 is the line voltage Uab (25V/div), and CH3 is the phase
voltage UA phase angle. Experimental waveforms show that
the line voltage Uab lead phase voltage UA phase angle 30
degrees.


Fig. 16. Line voltage synchronization
The current loop experiment is done under different line
voltage and phase current. The experimental parameters are:
Peak line voltage Uab 140V, current IA RMS 6.92A and
10.3A.The experimental results with Peak line voltage Uab
140V and current IA RMS 6.92A are shown in Fig. 17. CH1 is
the line voltage Uab (100V/div), and CH2 is the phase A
current IA (5A/div), CH3 is the phase angle of phase A
voltage by DA, CH4 is the direct-axis current ID. The line
voltage Uab lead phase A current 30 degrees, thus the power
factor is 1.

Fig. 17. Current loop experiment1
The experimental results with Peak line voltage Uab 140V
and current IA RMS 10.3A are shown in Fig. 18. CH1 is the
line voltage Uab (100V/div), and CH2 is the phase A current
IA (10A/div). The line voltage Uab lead phase A current 30
degrees. Hence the three-phase PWM rectifier operates in
rectifier mode and only absorbs active power from grid. Thus
the power factor is 1 under different phase current.

Fig. 18. Current loop experiment2
3kW load rectifier mode experimental waveforms are
shown in Fig. 19. CH1 is the line voltage Uab (250V/div), and
CH2 is the phase A current IA (20A/div), CH3 is DC current
IDC (10A/div), and CH4 is the Phase C IPM Drain Source
Voltage Vds (250V/div). Peak line voltage Uab is 260V,
current IA RMS is 11.3A. The load current is DC 7.91A and
the load voltage is 404V, hence the PWM rectifier transfer
3196W to the load. The line voltage Uab lead phase A current
IA 30 degrees, thus the power factor is 1.

Fig. 19. 3kW load rectifier mode
The above experimental waveforms show that PWM
rectifier implements the grid current high sinusoidal. Also it
can reach unit power factor under different line voltage and
phase current. At the same time, the PWM rectifier only
transfer active power to the load. By the power analyzer,
power factor can reach 1 and the grid current THD is less than
5%.
VIII. CONCLUSION
With the development and popularization of Electric
Vehicle, charging station is essential to large-scale
commercial and popular use. High Power Factor PWM
Rectifier-Inverter technology is the core technology of electric
vehicle charging system.
The PWM rectifier-inverter with direct current control can
get a good current regulation and tracking speed because of
the introduction of the current loop control. The outer voltage
loop output is the Q axis current reference to control the
output voltage. The inner current loop regulates the DQ
current by PI controller to achieve the unit power factor.
The fundamental line-to-line output voltage generated by
SVPWM is 1.15 times higher than SPWM. To reduce
switching loss, the zero vectors should be chosen
appropriately.
The prototype of three-phase PWM rectifier is developed.
Simulation and experimental results show that the high power
factor PWM rectifier-inverter can achieve unity power factor
and bi-directional energy transmission. Grid current is
sinusoidal and THD is less than 5%. At the same time, the
PWM rectifier only transfer active power to the load. Thus the
PWM rectifier-inverter can be widely used in the Electric
Vehicle charging station.

REFERENCES
[1] Zhang Chun-Wei, Zhang Xing. PWM Rectifier and Control [M]. Beijing
China Machine Press, 2003.
[2] Boon-Teck Ooi, Xiao Wang. Voltage angle lock loop control of the
boost type PWM converter for HVDC application [J].IEEE Transactions
on Power Delivery,1990,5 (2):229-235.
[3] M.P.Kazmierkowski, Current control techniques for three-phase
voltage-source PWM converters: A Survey, IEEE Trans.on Industrial
Electronics, Vol.45, No.5, October 1998, pp.691-703.
[4] J.W.Dixon,Characteristics of a controlled-current PWM
rectifier-inverter link,IEEETrans.on Industry Applications, 1987,
IA-23,pp.1022-1028.
[5] E.Wernekinck,A.Kawamura,and R.Hoft,A high frequency ac/dc
converter with unity power factor and minimum harmonic distortion,in
Conf.Rec.IEEE-PESC, 1987, pp.264-270.
[6] T.Rashid,D.Holliday,and D.A.Grant,Effect of DC link capacitance on
the transient response of a PWM AC-DC converter,IEE Conf.Power
Electronics andVariable Speed DrivesNo.429,1996.
[7] D.C.Lee,G.M.Lee,and K.D.Lee,DC-bus voltage control of three-phase
AC DC PWM converters using feedback linearization,IEEE Trans.on
IndustryApplications,Vol.36,No.3,May/June 200.
[8] D.T.Ngo,"Low frequency characterization of PWM
converters,IEEE-PESC, 1983, pp.377-388.