RTUEE / EC / EEEYr 2024 · Sem 42024

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.
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