An Overview of Complex Instability Behaviors Induced by Nonlinearity of Power Electronic Systems with Memristive Load

Abstract

The proposal of the memristor, considered as the fourth basic circuit element, suggests a new possibility for the design of high-performance power electronic systems. However, it also brings new challenges. At present, more and more electrical equipment and systems have demonstrated that their external characteristics can exhibit “8”-shaped hysteresis loops and can be regard as memristive equipment and systems. In order to satisfy the requirements of controllability, flexibility, efficiently, and so on, most memristive equipment and systems are not directly connected to the power grid but instead obtain their own required powering through various forms of power electronic converters. Note that memristive loads are distinctive and demonstrate unique nonlinear behaviors. Similarly, there can be nonlinearity from the resistor (R), inductor (L), or capacitor (C) load, but there is no combination of only R, L, and C that could produce memristive characteristics. In particular, the memristance of memristive devices changes continuously during the operation process; in addition, practical power electronic systems composed of memristive devices and power supplies have strong nonlinear characteristics, which are more likely to result in various complex behaviors and are not conducive to the stable operation of the systems. Therefore, exploring complex instability behaviors of power electronic systems with strong nonlinearity in depth is necessary for better protection and utilization of memristive devices. This paper provides an outline of the status of research on complex behaviors of power electronic systems with memristive load; it is expected to provide guidance for the study of complex behavior of strongly nonlinear systems.