I need some help with a project that I am doing. I am asked to make an inverter that can synchronise itself with a local power supply. The only information provided by my project supervisor was as follows:
1. Look at a method of creating AC from DC.
2. This may involve a microcontroller.
3. Method must be able to synchronise your produced AC to local AC supply.
4. Look at power electronic devices to switch DC etc.
Some other information that I have from a couple of meetings with him is that,
1. I do not have to synchronise the output of my inverter to the actual 230V 50Hz supply. I may have to synchronise it with another signal e.g. with an AC source in laboratory (maybe at a lower voltage and 50Hz frequency).
2. The output AC voltage must be less than 40V because working with very high voltages is not allowed due to safety concerns.
3. The signal has to self-synchronise itself with the local signal so a micro-controller is needed. The micro-controller provided to me is a PIC18F4520 microcontroller. The basic function of the micro-controller will be to sense the local AC signal and then operate the switches in the inverter circuit to produce an AC of the same frequency as that of the local signal and then connect these two signals at a suitable point. (This is my own idea of how the desired function can be achieved).
My requirements are as follows:
1. A complete circuit diagram (schematic) of the inverter circuit including the micro-controller that can be used to practically build the inverter without making any further changes.
2. I need a list of all the components used and their real values because I need to order all these components that can be used to practically build the circuit.
3. You can use any input DC voltage less than 40V and the output AC voltage must be less than 40V as well.
4. Please work with real values of components e.g. 12V DC to start with (only an example) and the values of other components e.g. resistors and capacitors and value and type of MOSFET used. (If one is used e.g. as switches).
5. Please, try to use software such as Simulink to simulate the circuit diagram to verify the parameters.
6. Software code for the micro-controller is required and must be provided with explanation as I have only very little experience in programming.
7. An explanation of the working and the purpose of all the components in the device is needed as I have to write a detailed report later on.
I am working on the project from a few weeks. Building a basic inverter is not a very difficult task as there are a lot of circuit diagrams available on the internet. The most important part is the synchronisation part using a micro-controller. I have never used a micro-controller before and I am not very experienced in programming so this is where I am stuck at the moment. I need a tutor who is experienced with micro-controllers along with the expertise in general electrical engineering and who can explain things in a clear manner.