Abstract—The design and construction of a thyristor-controlled
converter based on a Digital Signal Controller, suitable for
high power applications is presented in this paper. The con-
verter topology developed is based on an three-phase six-pulse
arrangement, where tasks associated with control and digital
signal processing are performed in a digital signal controller.
The control system is developed in a discrete time domain using
a zero order hold representation for the power converter. Besides,
a PI digital controller is developed for a constant-current closed-
loop operation, providing significant improvements in stability,
dynamic behavior and response of the converter to external
perturbations. Simulations carried-out in the Simulink program
confirm that the converter operates with a wide range of firing
angles, including operation with sudden perturbations such as
change to load. Further experiments carried out in the laboratory
with the prototype prove that the DSC-based control system
corrects waveform distortion due to asymmetrical or distorted
power supply by implementing an equidistant firing control
scheme.
Index Terms—DSC, Thyristor, Converter, PI controller, Digital
control.