Model predictive approach for a simple and effective load voltage control of four-leg inverter with an output LC filter

This paper presents a finite control set model predictive strategy and its application to the load voltage control of two-level four-leg inverters. The proposed approach uses the novel discrete-time model of the inverter and output LC filter in order to predict the variables to be controlled. These predictions are carried out for the 16 switching states of the inverter and are evaluated using a cost function. The switching state that forces the load voltages to be closest to their respective references is chosen and applied to the inverter. The behavior of the predictive controller has been investigated, and the changes to both inductive and capacitive filter parameters have been considered. In order to improve the reliability of the fourth leg as well as the overall inverter efficiency, a solution is proposed, which combines hardware and software reconfigurations. The feasibility of the proposed method is verified through simulation and experimental results considering single-/three-phase, balanced/unbalanced, and linear/nonlinear loads.