IEEE LATIN AMERICA TRANSACTIONS 12, DECEMBER 2018
Simulation of a Three-Phase Inversor of
0.5 kW Applying the width Modulation Technique
Space vector Pulse
S. Romero and B. Mamani
Abstract—Currently, various pulse width modulation (PWM)
techniques are used to control various power devices such as speed
variators, inverters, UPS, etc. The present research article develops
the Spatial Vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) for the
simulation of a three-phase inverter to obtain a sinusoidal output
signal with a variable frequency and voltage. The problems faced
by three-phase inverters and SVPWM modulation are exposed.
Mentioning the trend and technological resources for the
development of these power devices in our country, as well as the
various applications thereof.
Keywords— PWM, Inversors, SVPWM, Three-phase.
I. INTRODUCTION
A T present, the requirements of AC electric power in
housing and industry come mainly from non-renewable
energy sources. The progress of technology has allowed the
use of renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar
energy, to generate electrical energy mainly from direct
current, which is stored in banks of batteries; These, through
the use of investors, can supply the quality electric energy that
companies or households need. However, the investors
developed in our country do not completely cover these
requirements either because they work inefficiently and
limitedly with respect to the charges and powers applied or
because the investors of better quality have high costs.
Thanks to technological advances and the needs generated,
new switching devices have been developed that allow a better
design and implementation of the inverters. On the other hand,
the increase in the use of renewable energy sources will
produce unpredictable power cuts, which will require
equipment that foresees these problems such as UPS
(Uninterrupted Power Sources), which are an important
application of investors. Also, worth mentioning is another
important application of the inverter, such as the speed control
of three-phase alternating current motors, given that they are
increasingly sought to be more precise.
Because the investor, using an adequate control method, can
satisfy the mentioned requirements and needs and is also the
base of the development of many applications; The aim is to
design and simulate a suitable, efficient and efficient three-
phase inverter that contributes to the development of Power
Electronics in our country.
In this way, through this work, we seek to present the
1
simulation of a three-phase inverter already implemented by
applying the Spatial Vector pulse width modulation technique,
whose output wave, very similar to a sinusoidal one, will
present a lower harmonic distortion and deliver a power with
the minimum of losses. In addition, it is expected to contribute
to the development and research of efficient equipment and
power applications that serve a better quality of service for the
users of these systems.
II. APPROACH FOR DEVELOPMENT
A. Approach of the solution
This research article seeks to simulate a three-phase inverter
that has a square alternating current (AC) wave with
sinusoidal tendency where the fundamental component has the
desired magnitude, frequency and phase, obtaining a low
harmonic distortion, so that it is easy to filter said output wave
and obtain an output signal very similar to a sinusoidal. In
addition, it will achieve the lowest losses by switching and a
minimum loss of power by this device. Also, the team is
expected to adapt well to the dynamic response of non-linear
loads.
As a control signal, the Spatial Vector Pulse Width
modulation (SVPWM) is considered, which presents a lower
harmonic distortion in the output signal. The Three-Phase
Inverter Simulation will consist in capturing the different parts
of the Block Diagram using the SVPWM modulation, using
the Simulink tool of the MATLAB program. In this way, we
seek to obtain a sinusoidal output and make an analysis of this
with respect to the input signals of the system from the point
of view of the differences that may have, whether the form,
the harmonic distortion, the phase shift, etc.
B. Blocks diagram
Next, the General Block Diagram that shows the different
phases of the Triassic Investor to be simulated and analyzed
and the function of each of them is detailed.
 IEEE LATIN AMERICA TRANSACTIONS 12, DECEMBER 2018
Figure 1. Block Diagram of the Three Phase Inverter
Source: This stage represents the Batteries and the Voltage
Adaptation Circuit that will energize the various parts of the
Inverter, such as the Microcontroller, the Separation Stage of
the control and power stages, the Driver and the Circuit of
switches. Each stage will receive the voltage necessary for its
operation.
Microcontroller: This block represents the processing unit.
The Microcontroller will execute the control algorithm for the
generation of the SVPWM modulation. This consists in that
from a reference value, obtained from three sinusoidal signals,
the data is acquired and the appropriate processing is carried
out to generate the sequence of pulses necessary for the
switching of the switches (Switching devices). The output of
this stage enters the Block of Separation of Stages of Control
and Power.
Separation of Control and Power Stages: In this stage
there is the device that separates the Control and Power
Stages. The function of the device is to electrically isolate
these stages by security measures. This is achieved so that one
stage does not affect the other, in case there is an electrical
failure.
Driver: This block represents the circuit that allows the
activation and deactivation of the switches by means of the
control signal of the microcontroller (pulse sequence). It
receives as an input signal the sequence of pulses generated by
the Microcontroller, which will allow the Driver to leave or
not to pass the current to make the switching of the circuit
block of switches.
Three-phase load: This block represents the three-phase
load, to which the three-phase sinusoidal voltage that comes
from the switch circuit block is delivered. This load can be
Star (Y) or Delta (D) configuration.
Figure 2. Block Diagram of the Three Phase Inverter
Control Stage
2
In figure 2 it can be seen that the inputs are six control
signals from the microcontroller (pulse sequence) and the
outputs are also six signals that are directed to the inverter
driver. The block Separation of Stages of control and power
divides the system, so that no stage affects the other when a
failure occurs.
III. THREE-PHASE INVERTER SIMULATION USING THE SPACE
VECTOR PULSE WIDTH MODULATION TECHNIQUE
The three-phase inverter will handle a maximum current of
40 amps, which is why it is recommended that the semi-
branches that connect the switching devices with the power
supply (battery) and the three-phase load be joined, for safety,
through cables that support 50 amps, since joining the
switching devices using tracks of a printed circuit would be
dangerous due to the large amount of current.
The simulation has been developed in MATLAB’s
Simulink program. The simulation was aimed at verifying the
benefits of Space Vector pulse width modulation;
demonstrating the similarity of the output signal with a sine
wave, in addition to analyzing its harmonic distortion. The
simulation performed is based on the theory presented above,
using the ideas and equations that explain how to perform a
modulation of the Space Vector.
A. Schematic Circuit of the Three Phase Inverter
Below is the graphic representation of the entire investment
team. In order to understand the interconnection between the
arrangement of switches and the respective Drivers.
Figure 3. Schematic circuit of the Three Phase Inverter
B. Simulation of Drivers
The drivers designed to activate and deactivate the Power
Mosfets were simulated in the Proteus 7.5 program to verify if
their operation is correct; in this way it would be verified that
the calculations made to find each component of the driver are
adequate.
A pulse generator (PWM) whose high pulse is 5 volts, with
a duty cycle of 50% and a period of 20m seconds has been
 IEEE LATIN AMERICA TRANSACTIONS 12, DECEMBER 2018
used as an input signal. A 5-volt source has been used to
power the driver control part and a 12-volt source to energize
the power part of the driver. For a first analysis of the driver, a
temporary resistive load of 1kΩ has been placed in series with
the corresponding mosfet; then, for the second analysis, a
temporary inductive load R-L was placed, with an inductance
of 1mH and a resistance of 1kΩ, also in series with the mosfet.
When carrying out the analyzes, the aim is to demonstrate the
activation or deactivation of the switching device through the
driver; allowing the conduction or not of current through the
temporary loads, independent of the type of load. In this way
the operation of the designed driver will be checked.
Driver for Mosfet IRFZ48N:
Below is the driver circuit for the N type mosfet and their
respective simulations, according to the conditions mentioned
above.
First the simulations of the driver for a resistive temporary
load of 1kΩ are shown:
Figure 5. Driver for Mosfet IRFZ48N with resistive load
Figure 6. Voltage simulation in the cut state and saturation
of the IRFZ48N for a resistive load
Figure 7. Simulation of the current in the cut-off state and
saturation of the IRFZ48N for a resistive load
3
As can be seen in Figure 4.9, what is measured (blue
arrows) is the Mosfet IRFZ48N, which goes into saturation
every time the transistor BD233 activates it; allowing current
to pass through the 1K ohm load. In Figure 4.10, the red line
represents the voltage that passes through the mosfet, goes 12
volts when it is not driving, and 0 volts, when it drives (in this
case the load is the one that consumes the 12 volts). In Figure
7 the red line represents the current that passes through the
semiconductor when it is active and deactivated. When the
mosfet is in cut it does not drive (it consumes all the voltage),
for which the current is 0; and when the mosfet is saturated,
that is to say, the load of 1k ohm uses all the voltage of 12
volts, a current of 12mA appears that is consumed by the load
of 1K ohm. In this way, it is verified that the driver is working
correctly with the resistive load.
Second, it shows the simulations of the driver for the
IRFZ48N mosfet for an inductive temporary load R-L, with an
inductance of 1mH and a resistance of 1kΩ:
Figure 8. Driver for Mosfet IRFZ48N with inductive load R-
L
Figure 9. Voltage simulation in the cut state and saturation
of the IRFZ48N for an inductive load R-L
 IEEE LATIN AMERICA TRANSACTIONS 12, DECEMBER 2018 4

Figure 10. Simulation of the current in the cut state and Figure 11. Circuit of a Three-Phase Inverter
saturation of the IRFZ48N for an inductive load R-L
The phase voltages of the three-phase load in star
In figure 8, the driver for the Mosfet IRFZ48N with the connection can be defined using the voltage difference
inductive load R-L is observed. In the same way as for the between the neutral point (n) of the load and the negative point
simulation with the resistive load, what is measured is the (N) of the source Vdc; from this, the following relationships
Mosfet IRFZ48N (blue arrows), which goes into saturation are defined:
every time the BD233 transistor activates it; allowing current
to pass through the 1K ohm load. Due to the inductive loads a
significant elevation of the dv / dt and the di / dt is generated
in the switching device, which can be destructive to the
semiconductor. To avoid this, a snubber protection circuit is
used, which is placed parallel to the Mosfet IRFZ48N as
shown in Figure 8. Taking into account that the three phase voltages (𝑣𝑎 , 𝑣𝑏 y
𝑣𝑐 ) in a three-phase load add zero (principle that must be met
to use the vector representation), then, from the three previous
C. Simulation of the Spatial Vector Pulse Width Modulation
equations, we define:
Technique
The Spatial Vector Pulse Width modulation (SVPWM) 1
technique has been simulated with the Simulink tool of the 𝑣𝑛𝑁 = (𝑣𝐴 + 𝑣𝐵 + 𝑣𝐶 )
3
Matlab program. Before showing and explaining the
simulation blocks and their respective results, the equations
The phase voltages are obtained in the load (with respect to
and the logic used to develop them will be defined and
the neutral point of the load) in the following way:
established.

First, we must remember that the investor that is being

designed is a team of three semi-branches, with three superior
Mosfets and three Lower Mosfets. The representation of the
Space Vector of a three-phase balanced system of phase
voltages is the following:

2 2 Finally, it shows the spatial vectors of the phase voltages in

𝑣𝑆 = (𝑣 + 𝛼̅𝑣𝑏 + 𝛼 𝑣𝑐 )
3 𝑎 the plane Real-Imaginary, whose ends form a regular hexagon:

The Space Vector is a simultaneous representation of all

three-phase quantities, in this case, of the voltage signal of the
three-phase inverter. This is a complex variable and is a
function of time in contrast to the phasors.

If we have the following representation of a Three Phase

Inverter:

Figure 12. Space Vectors of Phase Voltages

 IEEE LATIN AMERICA TRANSACTIONS 12, DECEMBER 2018
Now, having defined the equations and the states that
represent the different spatial vectors in the complex plane, the
blocks used for the simulation can be defined and understood.
The following is the system created for the simulation of an
SVPWM model for a Three Phase Inverter:
Figure 13. System for the simulation of SVPWM
Within the system shown in Figure 13, at the beginning we
have the Subsystem Block that delivers the magnitude and
angle of the reference vector obtained from the three input
cosinoidal waves; these two and a triangular wave sequence,
which will act as a carrier, enter a multiplexer. Next, the three
signals enter the MATLAB Function block, which contains
the program that provides the sequence of control pulses of the
semiconductors for the Inverter Block.
The contents of the Subsystem Block that shows the signals
of entry:
Figure 14. Subsystem that delivers the magnitude and angle
of the reference vector
The subsystem of Figure 14 is responsible for converting
the three input signals to the complex plane, in order to obtain
the magnitude and angle signals of the reference vector, with
which we work to generate the SVPWM.
The results that show the various Scope blocks of the
system are shown below (figure 13):
5
Figure 15. Output Signals of the Investor Block
Figure 15 shows the output signals of the phase voltages,
with respect to the neutral point of the load, of the Inverter
Block (before entering the Filter block). It can be seen that,
thanks to the pulse width modulation of the space vector
(SVPWM), the three-square AC waves (sinusoidal signals) are
obtained, out of phase with each other 120 °. The first signal is
the one that is out of phase 0 °, the second one that is out of
phase 120 ° and the last one, which is out of phase 240 °. Due
to the square shape of these signals, some harmonic distortion
occurs (shown below). To do this, a filter is used that
eliminates this distortion and can obtain the pure sinusoidal.
On the other hand, it can be noted that the pulse width of the
signals changes a lot in small times (in milliseconds), which
shows that the microcontroller to use must have a fast and
efficient processing. The maximum voltage of the signals is
approximately 8 volts.
Followed by the output signals of the Filter Block that
would be delivered to the load:
Figure 16. Output Signals of the phase voltages of the Filter
Block
Figure 16 shows the output signals of the phase voltages of
the Filter Block. As can be seen, a cosine output is achieved,
which will have a low harmonic distortion (the distortion will
be analyzed later). This is the signal that would be delivered to
the three-phase load. The first signal has an offset of 0 °, the
second has a phase shift of 120 ° and the third has a phase
shift of 240 °.
 IEEE LATIN AMERICA TRANSACTIONS 12, DECEMBER 2018
IV. RESULTS AND ANALYSIS
In the simulation of the pulse width modulation of Space
Vector, where you can observe the various blocks to develop
the whole system. It is verified how, from a sinusoidal input,
the sequence of pulses for semiconductor switching is
generated and a sinusoidal three-phase signal with
fundamental frequency of 60 hertz is obtained at the inverter
output, switching frequency of 5000 hertz., maximum
amplitude of approximately 7 volts (6.93 volts = Vdc / √3,
with Vdc = 12 volts) and with less harmonic distortion. The
sine-wave reference signals are compared with the output
signals, and the similarities between them are checked. There
is a small lag but it is due to the filter used. In addition, you
can observe and analyze the control signal (PWM modulation)
and the output signal of the phase voltages before the filter.
Likewise, the different harmonics present in the unfiltered
output signal are analyzed by the Fourier transform (FFT),
where it is observed that the most outstanding harmonics are
centered in regions of the spectrum multiples of the switching
frequency. When using the first order filter designed, these
harmonics are eliminated, obtaining the pure sine wave signal
with a low voltage harmonic distortion. This sinusoidal signal
is also analyzed by the FFT to observe the decrease of the
harmonics; in this way one of the premises that was raised is
verified. In addition, the manner in which the amplitude and
frequency of the output signal can be varied from the variation
of the modulation index and the frequency of the input signals
respectively, is shown. Finally, two inverter output signals
originated by a different number of intermediate vectors are
displayed and analyzed (in time and frequency).
Finally, we can say that with these simulations and this
design we can verify the efficiency of this type of modulation
with respect to all the others used, being reflected in its
harmonic distortion and in the level of commutation. With the
suitable fast processing microcontroller (DSP type) a faster
switching of the mosfets can be achieved, making this type of
control more efficient and the most suitable for the control of
the voltages and the three-phase output signal frequencies at
higher levels of power.
V. CONCLUSIONS
With the results of the simulation of the width modulation
of Space Vector pulse (SVPWM), using the Simulink program
of the Matlab, It can be seen that the voltage signals of the
inverter output phase Three-phase waves are very similar to a
sinusoidal with a low distortion harmonica
According to the simulations, use a larger number of
vectors intermediate (reflected in the high switching period), it
was possible to achieve a more sinusoidal output with a low
harmonic content; However, to form these vectors, the inverter
must perform a greater number of commutations On the part
6
of the Mosfets to represent them, causing the losses By
commutations increase. Then, you have to evaluate the
performance total that is obtained with the operation with
smaller number of vectors intermediates, that although they
give a harmonic content greater than the previous one, You
will have less switching losses. There are two criteria among
which It must reach a compromise for the benefit of the exit
signal.
According to the analysis made of the use of different
numbers of vectors intermediate to generate the output phase
voltages of the three-phase inverter, it must use a minimum of
36 intermediate vectors (for a frequency of switching of 2160
Hz and a fundamental frequency of 60 Hz), therefore An
output signal very similar to a sinusoidal with a THD of
5.15% (acceptable for the Technical Standard for the Quality
of Electrical Services Peruvian) and a number of
commutations of 2587 (for 0.1 seconds) of the Switching
device. By displaying this THD value, the connected load the
investor will be minimally affected by the harmonic level.
Through the simulations shown. The SVPWM technique is
easy to change the voltage and frequency of the output signal
but it requires a high number of transformations to the
moment to be implemented, which affects a calculation time
high
REFERENCES
[1] Juan D. Gallego-Gomez, Juan B. Cano-Quintero y Nicolas Muñoz-
Galeano. (Enero 2015) Deduction of Power Losses by Conduction in
Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation Inverters, SPWM; Universidad de
Antioquia; Medellín-Colombia
[2] Kojabadi, H.M., (2011); A comparative analysis of different pulse width
modulation methods for low cost induction motor drives, Energy Convers.
Manag., 52(1), 136-146.
[3] Bazzi, A.M.,Krein, P.T., Kimball, J.W., yKepley, K. (2012),IGBT and
Diode Loss Estimation Under Hysteresis Switching. IEEE Trans. Power
Electron, 27(3).
[4] RASHID, Muhammad H.(2004) “Electrónica de Potencia: Circuitos,
Dispositivos y Aplicaciones”. Tercera Edición. México: Pearson Educación
[5] RÍOS, Felipe (2003) Diseño y Construcción de un Inversor Trifásico
Multinivel [en línea]; Santiago de Chile.
[6] TORRES P., Carlos Andrés y MURILLO Y., Duberney (2008) Diseño y
Construcción de un Inversor Trifásico [en línea].pdf
[7] VERNAVÁ, Angel y GIBBONS, Roberto (2007) Control PWM Trifásico
Primera Parte. Control Escalar del Motor Asíncrono (SPWM) [en línea]
Rosario (Argentina).pdf.
[8] Gallego, J., Muñoz, N., Cano, (2014); J.,Análisis de Flujos de Potencias
Ineficientes Producidos por Convertidores de Potencia, Información
Tecnológica 25(3), ON PRESS
[9] GONZALEZ-LONGATT, Francisco (2004); Modulación por Vector
Espacial de Voltaje [en línea].pdf
[10] HART, Daniel W. (2001); “Introducción a la Electrónica de Potencia”.
Primera Edición. Madrid: Prentice Hall.
 IEEE LATIN AMERICA TRANSACTIONS 12, DECEMBER 2018 7

Romero Bejarano, Sandro F. Student of

the eighth semester of Mechatronic
Engineering at the Catholic University of
Santa María from Arequipa - Peru

Mamani Yto, Bryan T. Student of the

eighth semester of Mechatronic
Engineering at the Catholic University of
Santa María from Arequipa - Peru