Research Interests

• Model predictive control of electrical drives
• Model predictive control of modular multilevel converters
• Control of modular multilevel converter for variable speed drives
• Sensorless control of permanent magnet linear motor

Teaching

• High-Power Converters
• Practical Course Control of Low-Power Automotive Drives
• Practical Course Simulation and Optimization of Mechatronic Drive Systems for MSPE

Publications

• W. Tian, P. Shen, G. M. de Sousa, R. Kennel and M. L. Heldwein, "Voltage Sensor Reduction Method for Modular Multilevel Converters Based on a Simple Voltage Reconstruction Approach," 2023 IEEE 8th Southern Power Electronics Conference (SPEC), Florianopolis, Brazil, 2023, pp. 1-7, DOI: 10.1109/SPEC56436.2023.10408495.

• X. Gao, W. Tian, Q. Yang, N. Chai, J. Rodriguez, R. Kennel and M. Heldwein, "Model Predictive Control of a Modular Multilevel Converter Considering Control Input Constraints," in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, DOI: 10.1109/TPEL.2023.3318320 .

• S. Zhang, K. Liu, J. Zhao, W. Tian, C. Jin, R. Kennel, M. Heldwein, "Boundaries Extension of Stability Region and z-Domain Controller Implementation for Grid-Forming Converters," in IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Industrial Electronics, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 425-436, April 2024, DOI: 10.1109/JESTIE.2023.3319251 .

• W. Tian, Q. Yang, X. Gao, P. Karamanakos, X. Yin, R. Kennel and M. Heldwein, "Fast Indirect Model Predictive Control for Variable Speed Drives," in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 38, no. 11, pp. 14475-14491, Nov. 2023, DOI:  10.1109/TPEL.2023.3307773.

• X. Li, W. Tian, Q. Yang, P. Karamanakos and R. Kennel, "Augmented Multistep Finite-Control-Set Model Predictive Control for Induction Motor Drive System," in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 38, no. 11, pp. 13842-13854, Nov. 2023, DOI: 10.1109/TPEL.2023.3304950.

• Q. Yang, P. Karamanakos, E. Liegmann, W. Tian, T. Geyer, R. Kennel and M. Heldwein, "A Fixed Switching Frequency Direct Model Predictive Control for Neutral-Point-Clamped Three-Level Inverters with Induction Machines," in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 38, no. 11, pp. 13703-13716, Nov. 2023, DOI: 10.1109/TPEL.2023.3300098.

• A. E. Hafni, W. Tian, R. Kennel and M. L. Heldwein, "Modelling, Control and Position Estimation for Linear Permanent Magnet Actuators," 2023 14th International Symposium on Linear Drivers for Industry Applications (LDIA), Hannover, Germany, 2023, pp. 1-5, DOI: 10.1109/LDIA59564.2023.10297475.

• X. Gao, Y. Pang, W. Tian, D. Kong, J. Rodriguez and R. Kennel, "Model-Free Predictive Current Control of PMSM Drives Using Recursive Least Squares Algorithm," 2023 IEEE International Conference on Predictive Control of Electrical Drives and Power Electronics (PRECEDE), Wuhan, China, 2023, pp. 1-6, DOI: 10.1109/PRECEDE57319.2023.10174599. (PRECEDE 2023 Best Paper Award)

• I. Harbi, J. Rodriguez, A. Poorfakhraei, H. Vahedi, M. Guse, M. Trabelsi, M. Abdelrahem, M. Ahmed, M. Fahad,  C. Lin, T. Wijekoon, W. Tian, M. Heldwein and R. Kennel, "Common DC-Link Multilevel Converters: Topologies, Control and Industrial Applications," in IEEE Open Journal of Power Electronics, vol. 4, pp. 512-538, 2023, DOI: 10.1109/OJPEL.2023.3291662.

• H. Xie, W. Tian, X. Gao, F. Wang, J. Rodríguez and R. Kennel, "An Ensemble Regulation Principle for Multi-Objective Finite Control Set Model Predictive Control of Induction Machine Drives," in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 38, no. 3, pp. 3069-3083, March 2023, DOI: 10.1109/TPEL.2022.3220289.

• Q. Duan, W. Tian,  Q. Yang, X. Gao, Y. Mao, P. Karamanakos, R. Kennel and M. Heldwein,  "Computationally Efficient Overmodulation Methods for Synchronous Motor Drive Systems," in IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, vol. 19, no. 4, pp. 6182-6195, April 2023, DOI: 10.1109/TII.2022.3207773.

• X. Liu, J. Wang, X. Gao, W. Tian, L. Zhou and R. Kennel, "Robust Predictive Speed Control of SPMSM Drives With Algebraically Designed Weighting Factors," in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 37, no. 12, pp. 14434-14446, Dec. 2022, DOI: 10.1109/TPEL.2022.3198748.

• X. Gao, Y. Pang, J. Xia, N. Chai, W. Tian, J. Rodriguez and R. Kennel, "Modulated Model Predictive Control of Modular Multilevel Converters Operating in a Wide Frequency Range," in IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 2022, vol. 70, no. 5, pp. 4380-4391, May 2023, DOI: 10.1109/TIE.2022.3183354.

• X. Liu, J. Wang, X. Gao, W. Tian, L. Zhou, J. Rodriguez and R. Kennel, "Continuous Control Set Predictive Speed Control of SPMSM Drives With Short Prediction Horizon," in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 37, no. 9, pp. 10166-10177, Sept. 2022, DOI: 10.1109/TPEL.2021.3118270.

• Y. Wu, Z. Zhang, Q. Yang, W. Tian, P. Karamanakos, M. L. Heldwein and R. Kennel, "A Direct Model Predictive Control Strategy with an Implicit Modulator for Six-Phase PMSMs," in IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Power Electronics, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 1291-1304, April 2023, DOI: 10.1109/JESTPE.2022.3170847.

• N. Chai, W. Tian, X. Gao, J. Rodriguez, M. L. Heldwein and R. Kennel, "Three-phase Model-based Predictive Control Methods with Reduced Calculation Burden for Modular Multilevel Converters," in IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Power Electronics, vol. 10, no. 6, pp. 7037-7048, Dec. 2022, DOI: 10.1109/JESTPE.2022.3170503.

• D. Kong, Z. Zhang, C. Liu, W. Tian, X. Gao and R. Kennel, "Modulated Model Predictive Control of Power Electronics Transformer Based on Isolated Modular Multilevel Converter," 2021 IEEE International Conference on Predictive Control of Electrical Drives and Power Electronics (PRECEDE), 2021, pp. 831-835, DOI: 10.1109/PRECEDE51386.2021.9680957.

• Q. Yang; P. Karamanakos; W. Tian; X. Gao; X. Li; T. Geyer; R. Kennel; "Computationally Efficient Fixed Switching Frequency Direct Model Predictive Control," in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 37, no. 3, pp. 2761-2777, March 2022, DOI: 10.1109/TPEL.2021.3114979.

• X. Li, Q. Yang, W. Tian, P. Karamanakos and R. Kennel, "A Dual Reference Frame Multistep Direct Model Predictive Current Control with a Disturbance Observer for SPMSM Drives," in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 37, no. 3, pp. 2857-2869, March 2022, DOI: 10.1109/TPEL.2021.3118572.

• X. Gao, W. Tian, Y. Pang and R. Kennel, "Model Predictive Control for Modular Multilevel Converters Operating at Wide Frequency Range with a Novel Cost Function," in IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, vol. 69, no. 6, pp. 5569-5580, June 2022, DOI: 10.1109/TIE.2021.3090705.

• W. Tian, X. Gao, Y. Pang and R. Kennel, "Comparative Study of Model Predictive Control for Modular Multilevel Converters with Separate and Decoupled Circulating Current," 2020 IEEE 9th International Power Electronics and Motion Control Conference (IPEMC2020-ECCE Asia), Nanjing, China, 2020, pp. 1017-1022. DOI: 10.1109/IPEMC-ECCEAsia48364.2020.9367674.

• X. Gao, W. Tian, Q. Yang and R. Kennel, "Model Predictive Control for Modular Multilevel Converters based on a Box-constrained Quadratic Problem Solver," 2020 IEEE 9th International Power Electronics and Motion Control Conference (IPEMC2020-ECCE Asia), Nanjing, China, 2020, pp. 3068-3072. DOI: 10.1109/IPEMC-ECCEAsia48364.2020.9368135.

• X. Li, W. Tian, X. Gao, Q. Yang and R. Kennel, "A Generalized Observer-based Robust Predictive Current Control Strategy for PMSM Drive System," in IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, vol. 69, no. 2, pp. 1322-1332, Feb. 2022, DOI: 10.1109/TIE.2021.3062271.

• W. Tian, Y. Pang, X. Gao, Q. Yang and R. Kennel, "Computationally Efficient Optimization Method for Model Predictive Pulse Pattern Control of Modular Multilevel Converters," 2020 IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition (ECCE), Detroit, MI, USA, 2020, pp. 5723-5730. DOI: 10.1109/ECCE44975.2020.9235619.

• W. Tian, Q. Yang, X. Li, X. Gao, X. Chen and R. Kennel, "Deadbeat Control for AC Drive Systems with Optimal Dynamic Performance," 2020 IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition (ECCE), Detroit, MI, USA, 2020, pp. 5777-5783. DOI: 10.1109/ECCE44975.2020.9236379.

• G. Pei, J. Liu, X. Gao, W. Tian, L. Li and R. Kennel, "Deadbeat Predictive Current Control for SPMSM at Low Switching Frequency with Moving Horizon Estimator," in IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Power Electronics, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 345-353, Feb. 2021, DOI: 10.1109/JESTPE.2019.2960579.

• X. Gao, W. Tian, Z. Zhang and R. Kennel, "Model Predictive Control with Extrapolation Strategy for the Arm Current Commutation Control of Modular Multilevel Converter Operating in Quasi Two-Level Mode," 2019 10th International Conference on Power Electronics and ECCE Asia (ICPE 2019 - ECCE Asia), Busan, Korea (South), 2019, pp. 1-6. DOI: 10.23919/ICPE2019-ECCEAsia42246.2019.8797192.

• W. Tian, X. Gao and R. Kennel, "Model Predictive Control of Modular Multilevel Converters with Independent Arm-Balancing Control," 2019 IEEE International Symposium on Predictive Control of Electrical Drives and Power Electronics (PRECEDE), Quanzhou, China, 2019, pp. 1-5. DOI: 10.1109/PRECEDE.2019.8753360.

• B. Parkash, A.P. Pai, W. Tian, R. Kennel "Performance Investigation of Semiconductor Devices using Commutation-speed based methodology for the application of Boost Power Factor Correction", Advances in Science, Technology and Engineering Systems Journal, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 258-267 (2019). DOI: 10.25046/aj040125.

• X. Gao, W. Tian, X. Liu, Z. Zhang and R. Kennel, "Model Predictive Control of a Three-Level NPC Rectifier with a Sliding Manifold Term," 2018 International Power Electronics Conference (IPEC-Niigata 2018 -ECCE Asia), Niigata, 2018, pp. 1661-1665. DOI: 10.23919/IPEC.2018.8508030.

• Z. Zhang, J. Schenek, W. Tian and R. Kennel, "Direct predictive control of five-level dual flying capacitor active neutral point clamped converters with extended horizons," 2017 IEEE Transportation Electrification Conference and Expo (ITEC), Chicago, IL, 2017, pp. 63-68. DOI: 10.1109/ITEC.2017.7993248.

• Z. Zhang, M. T. Larijani, W. Tian, X. Gao, J. Rodríguez and R. Kennel, "Long-horizon predictive current control of modular-multilevel converter HVDC systems," IECON 2017 - 43rd Annual Conference of the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society, Beijing, 2017, pp. 4524-4530. DOI: 10.1109/IECON.2017.8216779.

• Z. Zhang, Wei Tian, Wanyi Xiong and R. Kennel, "Predictive torque control of induction machines fed by 3L-NPC converters with online weighting factor adjustment using Fuzzy Logic," 2017 IEEE Transportation Electrification Conference and Expo (ITEC), Chicago, IL, 2017, pp. 84-89. DOI: 10.1109/ITEC.2017.7993251.