| This dissertation is devoted to the development and validation of a symbolic computation toolbox for the design automation of nonlinear controllers for power electronics systems using the synergetic approach to control theory (SACT). Nonlinear control design and practical implementation present technical and conceptual difficulties that have hindered the widespread application of nonlinear controllers in the industry. However, the current trend in control engineering, especially in the field of power electronic systems, indicates that the most effective way to develop high-performance controllers is to consider the systems' nonlinearities in the control design. The synergetic approach to control theory (SACT) is a novel nonlinear control concept that features promising characteristics in terms of overcoming the barriers for nonlinear control applicability, since it offers a systematic design procedure that yields control laws suitable for digital implementation. By using symbolic computation, considerable support is obtained in the automatic synthesis of SACT controllers for the rapid prototyping of various applications. In this research work, three different applications concerning power converters and motor drives are developed to demonstrate the versatility of the proposed design approach. The advantages and disadvantages of the SACT with respect to traditional linear and nonlinear control methods are also investigated from the perspective of control efficiency and robustness. |
