State Observer-Based Sensor Fault Detection and Isolation, and Fault Tolerant Control of a Single-Phase PWM Rectifier for Electric Railway Traction

TLDR

The paper proposes a robust sensor fault detection, isolation, and fault‑tolerant control scheme for a single‑phase PWM rectifier used in electric railway traction. Observer‑based residual generation is employed to detect and isolate catenary current and DC‑link voltage sensor faults, and a two‑step reconfiguration strategy—open‑loop followed by closed‑loop control—restores rectifier operation. Simulations and experiments confirm that the proposed FDI and FTC algorithms effectively detect and isolate sensor faults while preserving rectifier performance after reconfiguration.

Abstract

This paper presents an easy and a robust sensor fault detection and isolation (FDI) and fault tolerant control (FTC) of a single phase PWM rectifier for electrical railway traction application. Catenary current sensor and dc link voltage sensor failures are considered. The FDI method is based on observers and residual generation. The different FDI algorithm steps allow a good detection and isolation of the sensor fault and identify the faulty sensor. The reconfiguration strategy consists of two steps with open loop control and closed loop control working. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the good performance of the FTC procedure. Experimental results are also presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed FDI and FTC algorithms and good performances of the rectifier after the reconfiguration.