In this paper, a novel control method for a matrix converter is proposed. The proposed method is a PAM (Pulse Amplitude Modulation) control method based on a virtual AC/DC/AC conversion method. Output voltage amplitude is controlled by controlling a virtual DC link voltage with a virtual rectifier. Output frequency is controlled by a virtual inverter.
Firstly, the proposed method is explained. Next, the validity of the proposed method is confirmed thorough simulation and experiment using a 750W prototype matrix converter. Moreover, various characteristics of the proposed method and conventional virtual AC/DC/AC method are compared through experiment. As a result of experiment, it has been understood that total harmonic distortion of output current and common-mode voltage can be reduced compared with the case of using a conventional virtual AC/DC/AC conversion method.