Frequency-Locked Loops in Electrical Power and Energy Systems: Equivalent or Different to Phase-Locked Loops?

In the electrical power and energy (EPE) area, the traditional concept in designing the synchronization system of power converters is using the phase-locked loop (PLL) concept. An alternative way is using the frequency-locked loop (FLL) concept, which is also known as the adaptive notch filter, adaptive noise cancelation technique, gradient descent estimator, adaptive observer, D-estimation method, and transformation angle detector, among others names. Along with the increased popularity and application of FLLs in EPE systems, the misconception about this design concept is growing. To be more exact, most EPE research communities introduce FLLs as synchronization systems of different properties compared to PLLs. This article aims to explain the main reasons behind this misconception and contribute to dispelling it.