Design and implementation of an AC active load simulator circuit

An AC active load simulator circuit which can simulate a desired load impedance with a power factor from zero to unity (leading or lagging) for the tested AC source is realized and tested. An interface circuit is designed to compute the simulated current waveform for the load-driver circuit according to the specified program of the system control unit and the measured source frequency and voltage amplitude. Both inductive and capacitive loads can be simulated by adjusting the phase difference between the voltage and current waveforms. A software feedback control approach is employed to adjust the current amplitude and the power factor for the purpose of maintaining the impedance value constant regardless of the variation of the source voltage amplitude