NVH Characterization of New Pulse Width Modulation Strategies

Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) is needed to supply AC motors from DC voltages, but it creates high-frequency sideband harmonics that contribute negatively to sound quality. Several strategies were developed in the last decades to reduce the total harmonic distortion and switching losses, including discontinuous PWM. A new formulation of discontinuous PWM waveforms is proposed. It eases the implementation of PWM in simulation models and on experimental platforms, but it also enables the creation of new strategies. This study aims at assessing the NVH performance of six new strategies proposed by the authors. The goal is not to enhance the electrical performance but to seek new sound attributes, to change the sound quality of the machine. All strategies were tested on a test bench to characterize their current, vibration, and noise level on the full modulation index range. The measurements performed with the new strategies present some contrast. Semi-discontinuous strategies, which present a constant segment twice as short as that of existing discontinuous strategies, allow new sound attributes to appear. They also reduce the number of commutations compared to the classic sinusoidal strategy. The method adopted therefore seems relevant for creating new strategies but requires a complete characterization to assess the compromise between electrical and acoustic performance.