1

FIRING PULSE GENERATION SCHEMES FOR TWO AND SIX PULSE CONVERTERS
AIM
i.

ii.
iii.

To Design the firing pulse generator(s) for thyristor based converter systems
using.
a) Ramp Firing Scheme
b) Cosine Firing Scheme
To Validate the relation between the control voltage and output voltage of
converter system.
To Design and validate through simulation using MATLAB.

THEORY
A generalized block diagram of Phase Controlled Rectifier with typical firing scheme is
given in Fig.1.1. The converter is operated from ac power. Since synchronization is
needed for all converters with ac input, the firing pulses must be synchronized with
the ac supply. Isolation is essential as the control circuit uses very low power devices
such as various chips, logic gates etc. The strength of the pulse obtained from logic
gates may not be sufficient to drive the gate of thyristors, so amplification of the
pulse along with isolation is used at the final stage.
The output voltage control of a phase controlled rectifier is achieved by varying the
delay angle of its firing circuit. The firing circuit consists of a reference signal and a
control signal. The firing pulses are generated based on the comparison between the
two signals. The generation of firing pulses can be classified into two schemes based
on the reference signal employed. The two schemes are:
(i)
(ii)

Ramp firing scheme

Cosine Firing Scheme

1.1 RAMP FIRING SCHEME:

The ramp firing scheme with unipolar positive slope ramp signal as reference is
shown in Fig.1.2. In this scheme, the reference signal is a ramp waveform and
synchronized to the input source. Its magnitude is chosen to vary from 0 to +4.5V as
t varies from 0 to 180 (i.e., one half-cycle of the input supply) as shown in Fig.1.2
& Fig 1.3.
The control signal is a dc with the variable magnitude but limited to ramp
magnitudes. The firing pulses are generated based on the comparison of two signals.
Pulses are produced when the magnitude of the reference signal is greater than the
magnitude of control signal.

Fig.1.1 Schematic for Converter with firing control circuit

Fig.1.2 Schematics of firing pulse generator using Ramp and constant voltage
scheme.
The instant at which the pulse is produced is called the delay angle or firing angle.
The firing angle can be varied by adjusting the magnitude of control signal. The
generation of pulses for a firing angle of 60 is shown in fig.1.3. Thyristors T1 and T2
conduct in the positive half cycle. The gate pulses are logically same for T1 and T2.
Thyristors T3 and T4 conduct in the negative half cycle of input supply. Pulses for T3
and T4 are produced with ramp reference whose magnitude varies from 0V to +4.5V
when t varies from 180 to 360(negative half cycle of the input supply).

Firing angle () can be varied from 0 to 180 by varying Control voltage from
Vc(min)[0V] to Vc(max)[+4.5V] respectively. The relationship between and Vc is given
by

3
(1.1)
From the above equation, it can be inferred that the firing angle () is a linear
function of control voltage(Vc).The relation between the output voltage of the single
phase fully controlled converter and firing angle is not linear due to the cosine term
involved as given by the equations (6)&(8). Above two statements implies that the
relation between the output voltage and control voltage is also non-linear in ramp
firing scheme as shown graphically in Fig.1.13.
Reference signal can also be chosen as unipolar ramp with negative slope and
bipolar ramp with positive slope as shown in Fig 1.3 and Fig1.4 respectively. To
produce firing pulsed for T1 and T2, in former case magnitude varies from
to
zero and in latter case magnitude varies from
to
during positive half
cycle of the input supply. The relation between and
both cases are given by the
equations (2) and (2a).
For unipolar negative slope ramp,
(1.2)
For bipolar positive slope ramp,

*180

Fig1.2(a) Negative slope ramp reference signal

(1.2a)

Fig1.2(b) Bipolar positive ramp referene signal

Fig.1.3 Ramp Firing scheme for firing angle,=60

5
1.2 Cosine Firing Scheme:
In order to achieve improved closed loop response of converters, the control voltage
of the firing circuit must be linear with respect to the output voltage of the converter.
To linearize the output voltage with respect to the control voltage, the inverse cosinefiring scheme is adopted. In this scheme the reference signal is cosine waveform
instead of ramp signal and such a scheme is shown in Fig.4. Pulses are produced for
the duration in which Vc is greater than Vref. To limit the maximum pulse duration to
180, a sine reference with zero crossing detector is used.The firing angle is the
instant when Vc exceeds Vref.i.e.,

Vpcos=Vc
(1.3)

Where,
Vp is the cosine reference peak magnitude
Vc is control voltage magnitude.

cos=Vc/Vp
= cos-1(Vc/Vp)

(1.4)

Fig1.4 Cosine firing pulse generation scheme

The above equation shows that the relation between and Vc is an inverse cosine
function. Substituting equation 4 in equations 6&8,

cos-1(Vc/Vp)}
(1.5)

From the above equation it is seen that since Vc is an inverse cosine function of , the
output voltage is cosine of inverse cosine of Vc which means that the output voltage is
linear with respect to Vc. Thus in this scheme, the output voltage is linearized with
respect to the control voltage. The firing pulse generation is shown in Fig.1.5.

1.3 THREE PHASE CONVERTER

1.31 Ramp Firing Scheme
Firing pulse generation using ramp method for three phase converter is similar to
that of single phase except that the reference signals are shifted mutually by 60 for
each successive thyristor. This is shown in fig.1.6.
1.32 Cosine Firing Scheme
The schematic of cosine firing scheme (for triggering one thyristor (T1)) is shown in
Fig.1.7. The principle of pulse generation is same as that for single phase cosine
scheme. Here, the sine and cosine references for each phase are derived respectively
from the line and phase voltages of the three phase supply. Each line voltage
waveform is taken as sinusoidal reference for one thyristor (-VBR for T1). Among the
six available phase voltage waveforms, the waveform which leads the chosen sine
reference by 90 is chosen as the cosine reference (-VY) for T1). This can be identified
using the vector diagram shown in Fig.1.10. The similar procedure is followed to
obtain the gate pulses for other thyristors. The pairs of sine and cosine references
signals used to generate the firing pulses for each thyristor of the six-pulse converter
is shown in Fig.1.11 and summarized in Table-1.The pulse generation(for thyristor
T1) for firing angle of 60 is shown in fig.1.12.

Fig.1.5Cosine Firing scheme for single phase converter with firing angle,=60

Fig.1.6 - Pulse generation for Three phase converter with Ramp firing scheme

Fig.1. 7 Cosine firing pulse generation scheme for 3-phase converter

Fig.1.8Vectorial representation of phase and line voltages

Fig.1.9 Sine reference (blue w/f) and Cosine reference(green w/f) for each
thyristor

Fig.1.9(a) Sine reference (blue w/f) and Cosine reference(green w/f) for each
thyristor

Table-1.1: Sine and cosine reference pairs taken from the vector diagram

S.No. Thyristor

Sine
Reference

Cosine
reference

Phase Shift
of sine
reference()

Phase shift of cosine

reference()

T1

-VBR

-VY

-30

60

T2

VYB

VR

-90

T3

-VRY

-VB

-150

-60

T4

VBR

VY

-210

-120

T5

-VYB

-VR

-270

-180

T6

VRY

VB

-330

-240

10

Fig.1.10 Pulse generation for 6 pulse converter with Cosine firing scheme

Table 1.2 Relation between control voltage and output voltage for both
schemes
Firing angle (deg)
0
30
60
90
120
150
180

Control voltage (Vc) for

RAMP scheme
-4.5
-3
-1.5
0
1.5
3
4.5

Control voltage (Vc) for

COSINE scheme
4.5
3.897
2.25
0
-2.25
-3.897
-4.5

11
Table 1.3 Single phase converter with r load

FIRING
ANGLE
()
0
30
60
90
120
150
176

Vm=325.26V, CONSTANT CURRENT LOAD=15A

DC OUTPUT
VOLTAGE
Is(A)
Is1(A)
PF
HF
DF
THEO
SIMU
(V)
(V)
207.1
205.5
11.15
11.15
1
0
1
193.2
191.9
11.02
10.84
0.852
0.1829
0.866
155.3
154.3
10.1
9.266
0.458
0.4337
0.5
103.5
102.8
8.038
6.431
0
0.7498
0
51.77
51.32
5.108
3.8
-0.311
1.257
-0.5
13.87
13.7
2.056
0.633
-0.266
3.086
-0,866
0.252
0.296
0.366
0.319
-0.896 0.4852
0.9967

RF
0.486
0.614
0.875
1.213
1.692
2.627
5.862

Table-1.4- FOR Single phase converter with R load Vs=240V Observation from
the above experiment:
AL
PH
A
0
30
60
90
120
150

DC OUTPUT
VOLTAGE
THEO SIMU(
(V)
v
216.1 214.4
201.6 197.5
162.1 156.8
108
107.8
54.02 49.08
14.48 14.09

Vrms
238.5
234.1
211.1
168.7
99.18
39.94

For R=10
ohms
Idc
Irms
21.44
19.75
15.68
10.72
4.908
1.109

23.85
23.41
21.11
16.87
9.918
3.994

DF

PF

IS1

HF

1
.866
.5
0
-0.5
-.866

1
.8534
.464
0
-0.339
-0.425

23.85
23.07
19.59
14.11
6.73
1.961

0.002
.1723
.4015
.6542
1.083
1.774

Fig.1.11 Single phase converter with R-load for =60

RF
.487
.6355
.9015
1.214
1.756
2.651

12

PERFORMANCE OF SINGLE PHASE FULL CONVERTER

Schematic representation of single phase full bridge converter with load

Performance Parameters: (Single Phase)

For R Load
1.Average Output Voltage (Ramp)
Vm
Voavg
1 cos *2

(1.6)

2.Average Output Voltage (cosine)

(1.7)

cos-1
For Highly Inductive Load
1.Average Output Voltage (Ramp)
2Vm
Voavg
cos 2

(1.8)

2.Average Output Voltage (cosine)

Vo,avg= (

)(

)))

(1.9)
3.RMS Value of Fundamental Harmonic Current

2 2I 0
Is1

4.RMS Value of the Input Current

Is I 0
5.Power Factor

(1.10)

(1.11)

13

Is1
PF cos
Is

(1.12)

6.Harmonic Factor
2

Is
HF
1
Is1

(1.13)

7.Ripple Factor
2

Vrms
RF
1
Voavg

(1.14)

Fig.1.12 Single phase converter with RL-load for =60

Table 1.5 - Single phase converter with highly inductive load

Vm=325.26V, CONSTANT CURRENT
DC OUTPUT
PF
FIRING
VOLTAGE
ANGLE
Is(A)
Is1(A)
THEO SIMU
THEO SIMU
()
(V)
(V)
0
207.1 205.5 14.99 13.52 0.899 0.901
30
179.3 177.7 14.95
13.2
0.778 0.764
60
103.5 101.9
15
12.95 0.449 0.431
90
0
1.661 15.04 12.84
0
0
120
-103 -105.2 14.99 12.92
-0.44 -0.431
150
-179.3 -181
14.93 13.17
-0.77
-0.76
176
206.6 -208.2 14.98 13.47
-0.89 -0.896

LOAD=15A
HF

DF

RF

0.4791
0.5318
0.5857
0.6098
0.5882
0.5348
0.4875

1
0.866
0.5
0
-0.5
-0.866
-0.951

0.487
0.811
2.017
138.6
1.953
0.795
0.485

14

Where,
Vm-Input/Supply Peak Voltage (V)
vc(max)- Cosine Peak Voltage (V)
Vc- Control Voltage (V)
Io - Average Load Current (A)
- Fundamental Harmonic Current (A)
The simulation results for single phase converter with resistive and inductive loads
for =60 are shown in the figures and tables:
Model Calculation:
(for R-load)
1.Average Output Voltage (Ramp)
325.26
Voavg
1 cos 60 =155.3 V

2.Average Output Voltage (cosine)

1 4.5
325.26
Voavg
1 cos cos
=155.3 V

9

(for RL-load)
1.Average Output Voltage (Ramp)

Voavg

2 325.26

cos 60 =103.5 V

2.Average Output Voltage (cosine)

1 4.5
2 325.26
Voavg
cos cos
=103.5 V

3.RMS Value of Fundamental Harmonic Current

2 2 15
Is1
=13.50 A

4.RMS Value of the Input Current

Is I 0 =15 A
5.Power Factor

13.50
PF
cos 60 =0.45
15.01
6.Harmonic Factor
2

15.01
HF
1
13.50
7.Ripple Factor

=0.486

15
2

233
RF
1
103.5

=2.017

Fig.1.13 Control Characteristics for R-load:

Fig.1.14 Control Characteristics for RL-load:

16

PERFORMANCE OF SIX PULSE CONVERTER

Schematic representation of 3-phase full bridge converter with load

Performance Parameters:

(Three Phase)

For R Load
Continuous Conduction mode ( 60)
1. Average Output Voltage (Ramp)

3 3Vm
Voavg
cos

(1.15)

2.Average Output Voltage (Cosine)

3 3Vm Vc
Voavg

Em

(1.16)

Discontinuous Conduction mode ( > 60)

1. .Average Output Voltage (Ramp)

3 3 Vm

Voavg
1 cos

2. .Average Output Voltage (Cosine)

(1.17)

17

3 3 Vm
Vc
Voavg
1 0.5
0.866

Em

Vc 2 / Em

Fig.1.15 Three phase converter with R-load for =60

Fig.1.16 Three phase converter with RL-load for =60

(1.18)

18
For Highly Inductive Load
1. Average Output Voltage (Ramp)

3 3Vm
Voavg
cos

2. Average Output Voltage (Cosine)
3 3Vm Vc
Voavg

Em

(1.19)

(1.20)

3. RMS Value of Fundamental Harmonic Current

2 2I 0

Is1
sin

3

4..RMS Value of the Input Current
Is I 0

2
3

(1.21)

(1.22)

5. Power Factor

Is1
PF cos
Is

(1.23)

6. Harmonic Factor
2

Is
HF
1
Is1

(1.24)

7. Ripple Factor
2

Vrms
RF
1
Voavg

Model Calculation:
Continous Conduction mode ( 60)
1. Average Output Voltage (Ramp)

3 3Vm
Voavg
cos

3 3 325.26
Voavg
cos 45 =380.2 V

2. .Average Output Voltage (Cosine)

(1.25)

19

3 3Vm Vc
Voavg

Em
3 3 325.26 6.36
Voavg

=380.2 V

Table 1.6 - Three phase converter with r-load

Vm=325.26V
FIRING
ANGLE
()
0
10
30
45
60
90
120

DC OUTPUT
VOLTAGE
THEO
SIMU
(V)
(V)
538
537.6
529.8
529.4
465.9
465.4
380.2
379.4
269
268.5
72.08
71.83
0
0.3

Is(A)

Is1(A)

PF

HF

DF

RF

8.173
8.056
7.245
6.139
4.743
1.878
0.049

7.812
7.68
6.827
5.64
4.089
1.165
0.003

0.955
0.938
0.816
0.65
0.431
0
-0.034

0.3075
0.3166
0.3551
0.4277
0.5877
1.264
14.61

0.9877
0.984
0.866
0.707
0.5
0
-0.5

0.042
0.062
0.173
0.296
0.507
1.235
7.282

Table 1.7 - Three phase converter with highly inductive load

FIRING
ANGLE
()
0
10
30
45
60
90
120
135

Vm=325.26V, CONSTANT CURRENT LOAD=10A

DC OUTPUT
PF
VOLTAGE
Is(A)
Is1(A)
HF
DF
THEO SIMU
THEO SIMU
(V)
(V)
538
537.6 8.164 7.797 0.954 0.955 0.3105
1
529.8 529.4 8.164 7.796
0.94 0.9389 0.3104 0.984
465.9 465.4 8.164 7.795 0.826 0.8161 0.3112 0.866
380.2 379.4 8.163 7.794 0.675 0.6501 0.3115 0.707
269
268.5 8.163 7.793 0.477 0.4311 0.3116
0.5
0
13.09 8.163 7.792
0
0
0.3118
0
-269
8.163 7.793 -0.47 -0.034 0.3116
-0.5
257.6
8.163 7.794 -0.67 -0.674 0.3115
380.4 371.1
0.707

RF
0.042
0.042
0.161
0.292
0.514
328.7
0.5126
0.292

20

Fig.1.17: Control Characteristics for Three Phase Full Converter with Ramp
firing

Discontinous Conduction mode ( > 60)

1. .Average Output Voltage (Ramp)

3 3 Vm

Voavg
1 cos

3 3 325.26

Voavg
1 cos 90 =72.08 V

2. .Average Output Voltage (Cosine)

3 3 Vm
Vc
2
2
Voavg
1 0.5
0.866 Em Vc / Em

E
m

3 3 325.26
0
2
2
Voavg
1 0.5 0.866 9 0 / 9 =72.08

Model Calculation:
1. Average Output Voltage (Ramp)

3 3Vm
Voavg
cos

3 3 325.26

cos 45 =380.4 V

2. Average Output Voltage (Cosine)

3 3Vm Vc
Voavg

Em

21

3 3 325.26 6.36


=380.6 V

9
3. RMS Value of Fundamental Harmonic Current

2 2I 0

Is1
sin
3

2 2 10

sin =7.796 A

4.RMS Value of the Input Current

Is I 0

2
2
= 10
=8.164 A
3
3

Fig.1.18: Control Characteristics for Three Phase Full Converter with Cosine
firing

22

Fig.1.19 Normalized control voltage Vs firing angle

5. Power Factor

Is1
PF cos
Is
8.163

cos 45
7.794

=0.675

6. Harmonic Factor
2

Is
HF
1
Is1
2

8.163

1
7.794
= 0.3108
7. Ripple Factor
2

Vrms
RF
1
Voavg

396.2
RF
1 =0.292
380.2

23
CONCLUSION:
The Control Characteristics shows that the variation of output voltage with respect to
control voltage is non-linear when ramp firing scheme is used and linear when
cosine-firing scheme is used.
Also, theoretical average output voltage of the converters is verified through
simulation and other performance parameters such as harmonic factor, power factor,
ripple factor and input current are determined for single and three phase converters
for different firing angles.
It is found that the performance of three phase converter are better than that of
single phase converter due to more number of pulses in the output and less
harmonic distortion. The performance can be increased further by using higher pulse
converters.