The thesis describes a novel 4-quadrant DC-DC converter, supplied by a 28V DC voltage source, with an output voltage which may be continuously varied between +180V and -180V DC. A prototype 1.2kW DC-DC converter was designed and built, with emphasis given to the optimization of both the converter size and efficiency. This was achieved by means of a computer-based simulation study, which determined the optimal switching frequency and the size of the inductors and capacitors while maintaining a high unit efficiency. Mos-Gated Bimos switches, which feature the advantages of both mosfets and bipolar transistors, were developed to achieve high switching speed during high power operation. A digital-controlled DC servo system based on a 16-bit Intel 8086 microprocessor was designed, to provide both motor speed and position control. Speed and position detection circuits and the structure and the interfacing arrangement of the microprocessor system were designed and constructed. Several control algorithms were developed, including PID Control Algorithm and Current-Limit Control Algorithm. Based on open loop transfer function of the system, derived through mathematical modelling using the State-Space Averaging Method, the constants for the control algorithms were obtained to meet the dynamic performance specified for the system. Computer simulation was carried out to assist with the design of the converter and the control system. It is expected that drives into which the novel converter is incorporated will find many applications in situations where accurate positional control is required, particularly in battery-operated DC-servo system, such as satellite system, robots and some military vehicles.

The frequency of a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) power source can be adjusted to control the speed of an AC machine. Machine response in this mode of operation depends strongly on the quality of the chosen PWM switching strategy. Several methods of PWM waveform synthesis are presented and new methods are introduced. A novel Relaxed Spectrum (RS) algorithm based on a Fourier series expansion of the PWM signal is presented. The algorithm computes sinusoidal and non-sinusoidal switching patterns from a specified set of harmonic coefficients. The RS method is suitable for both full- and half-bridge PWM invertors. Unwanted harmonics inherent in a PWM signal, are exploited to induce excitation into the rotor of a synchronous machine. Rotor mounted diodes are used to rectify the induced currents. 'Rvo novel induced excitation methods are presented which permit accurate control of excitation levels. Whilst the first method uses a single Excitation Harmonic Voltage (EHV) for rotor excitation, an EHV pair is used in the second method to obtain improved machine response. The RS algorithm is applied to obtain a PWM waveform which approximates closest to a given specification. PWM switching patterns are obtained for most possible excitation conditions. Voltage Control Limit Functions (VCLF) are computed which define control limits for several excitation schemes. The response of a computer simulated machine model to an Ideal Test Voltage (lTV) is investigated to assess the performance of the new methods of machine excitation. Simulation reveals that the use of an EHV pair minimises motor torque pulsation. Optimum excitation ratios are then defined in terms of the harmonic indices of a given EHV pair. These ratios are shown to be largely independent of machine parameters. The RS method is used t(] compute generalised sets of PWM switching sequences which can subsequently be applied to a wide range of differently rated machines. Analogue Symmetrical Sample (SS) PWM waveform synthesis methods for induce( excitation are compared with their digital equivalents. It is shown that digital P~ techniques compare favourably and can provide higher excitation levels when a largl fundamental drive voltage is required.

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