Q9Power Electronics
Question
2 marks
Define the modulation index.
Answer
The modulation index (amplitude modulation ratio ma) in a PWM inverter is the ratio of the reference signal amplitude to the carrier signal amplitude; it controls the output voltage magnitude.
- For ma ≤ 1 (linear modulation): fundamental output voltage = ma × Vdc/2 (half-bridge) or ma × Vdc (full-bridge).
- For ma > 1 (overmodulation): output voltage increases but harmonic content increases significantly.
- The frequency modulation ratio mf = fcarrier/fref determines the harmonic spectrum location.
- ma = 1 gives the maximum fundamental output voltage in the linear range.