Insights into computational burden and performance of current control algorithms for high switching frequency GaN-based inverters

Recent advances in power electronic converters have paved the way for higher switching frequencies and higher performances. On the other hand, the new wide-band-gap-based power converters introduced new challenges in the design of electrical drives. From the microcontroller perspective, performing all instructions within one switching period might be an unfeasible task. At the same time, achievable switching frequencies are much higher than the fundamental output frequencies of standard applications. In such a scenario, a current controller that requires lower computational costs is beneficial for increasing the sampling frequency, reducing the influence of discretization phenomena, and achieving remarkable control performance. In this paper, a simplified PI current regulator designed on the basis of a low-speed assumption is experimentally compared with the state-of-the-art current regulator. The analysis is focused on computational timing and performance limits, including maximum achievable sampling, and fundamental frequencies. This work aims to provide guidelines for the selection of the appropriate control algorithm and the microcontroller in high switching frequency applications.