Comparative Performance Evaluation of Classical, Optimal, and Intelligent Controllers for Real-Time Embedded Modular Multilevel Converter Systems

Nada Alhamdi; Abdelmuhaimen Albasir

doi:10.66411/jer.v41i2.465

Authors

Nada Alhamdi Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, USA Author
Abdelmuhaimen Albasir Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Tripoli, Libya Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66411/jer.v41i2.465

Keywords:

Real-time embedded control, Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC), Proportional–Integral–Derivative (PID) controller, Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR), Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC)

Abstract

Real-time embedded control of Modular Multilevel Converters (MMCs) requires both high control performance and efficient computation due to the converter’s coupled dynamics and complex energy-balancing requirements. This paper compares three controller classes a classical Proportional–Integral–Derivative (PID) controller, an optimal Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) with integral action, and an intelligent Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC)—using a common three-phase MMC model. The controllers are evaluated in terms of rise time, settling time, overshoot, steady-state error, robustness, computational complexity, execution latency, memory requirements, and real-time implementation suitability. MATLAB/Simulink simulations show that LQR provides superior transient performance and damping, FLC offers strong robustness to nonlinearities and parameter uncertainty, and PID provides the lowest computational burden and simplest embedded implementation. The results provide practical guidance for selecting MMC control strategies according to both dynamic performance and embedded computing constraints.

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