Using vertical areas in finite set model predictive control of a three-level inverter aimed at computation reduction

In power electronics applications, finite set model predictive control (FS-MPC) has proven to be a viable strategy. However, due to the high processing power required, using this technology in multilevel converters is difficult. This strategy, which is based on predicting the behavior of the system for all conceivable states, has an issue with a numerous of possible switching states. A recent and useful strategy for dealing with the problem is the limiting of calculations based on triangle regions. Despite its success, this method has several limitations, including the computation required to locate the right triangle and the boundary modes. In this research, the vertical areas are used for the limiting of calculations. Not only determining the right zone is an easy task with this strategy, but the number of possible candidates is also reduced to two. Furthermore, the boundary mode will not occur. In the proposed method, two key advantages can be seen in the discussion of reduction of calculations: (1) new zoning, which eliminates the calculations related to the slope of the lines. (2) The number of options placed in the cost function has been reduced to 2 candidates. Simulations are used to validate the approach, which is applied to a three-level neutral point clamped (NPC) inverter.