Chapter 1

Introduction

In the last few decades, the use of power converters and high-performance adjustable speed drives has gained an increased presence in a wide range of applications, mainly due to improved performance and higher efficiency, which lead to increased production rates. In this way, power converters and drives have become an enabling technology in most industrial sectors, with many applications in a wide variety of systems. Conversion and control of electrical energy using power electronics is a very important topic today, considering the increasing energy demands and new requirements in terms of power quality and efficiency. In order to fulfill these demands new semiconductor devices, topologies, and control schemes are being developed.

This chapter presents a basic introduction and useful references for readers who are not familiar with power converters, motor drives, and their applications. The most common applications that involve the use of power converters are presented, and a general scheme for a drive system is explained. The power converter topologies found in industry are introduced according to a simple classification. A brief introduction to control schemes for power converters, the basic concepts behind them and the digital implementation technologies used today, are discussed.

This chapter provides the necessary context, including a brief motivation for the use of predictive control, to understand the contents of this book.