Predictive Current Control Applied to a 3L-NPC Inverter

In recent years the application of Model Based Predictive Control (MPC) for power converters has been successfully presented as an alternative to traditional control techniques. MPC has attracted interest due to its fast dynamic response and the ability to incorporate various control requirements in a cost function. This work describes the fundamental aspects of the MPC, from its principle of operation to its application to control in multilevel power converters. The application of MPC technique for the control of a three-level neutral point clamped inverter (3L-NPC) will be analysed for current control in a three-phase load, the balance in the capacitors link DC, and the associated dynamic response. The MPC method is analysed and simulation results from a Matlab/Simulink model with different sampling times are presented.