Active Damping Control for the Modular Multi-Active-Bridge Converter

The modular multi-active bridge (MMAB) converter—characterized by electrical isolation, modular design, high power density, and high efficiency—can be readily scaled to multiple DC ports through an internal shared high-frequency bus (HFB), establishing it as a viable topology for DC transformer (DCT) applications. However, its interconnection to a DC grid via low-damping inductors may provoke low-frequency oscillations and instability. To mitigate this issue, this paper employs a pole-zero cancellation approach to model the conventional constant-power control (CPC) loop as a second-order system, thereby elucidating the relationship between equivalent line impedance and stability. An active damping control strategy based on virtual impedance is then introduced, supported by systematic design guidelines for the damping compensation stage. Simulation and experimental results confirm that under weak damping conditions, the proposed method raises the damping coefficient to 0.707 and effectively suppresses low-frequency oscillations—all without altering physical line impedance, introducing additional power losses or requiring extra sensing devices—thereby markedly improving grid-connected stability.