An alternator system having an alternating current (ac) voltage source includes
a switched-mode rectifier (SMR) coupled to the ac voltage source and having an
output port coupled to an output of the alternator system, and a controller coupled
to said switched-mode rectifier so as to provide a controlled pulse sequence synchronized
with an angular rotor position of the (ac) voltage source to activate and deactivate
the switched-mode rectifier. The controller further includes a PWM generator having
a first input to receive a total duty ratio signal synchronized with an angular
rotor position of the (ac) voltage source. The switched mode rectifiers are controlled
to increase power output levels at lower speeds near idle. The controller combines
improved idle speed power output levels with load matching improvements from PWM
control for more efficient operation when compared to circuits using conventional
control or PWM load matching control alone.
