Matrix converter belongs to direct frequency converter category. Output voltage is made by direct switching of input phases to output phases. This fact means that converter does not need DC-link capacitor which increases the costs and volume requirements of the converter. The absence of DC-link capacitor is one of the main advantages of the matrix converter. On the other hand it means that the output voltage amplitude is limited by 86.6% of the input voltage amplitude. Higher voltages can be achieved with overmodulation, which causes input current distortion. The other advantages of the converter compared to conventional indirect frequency converter are: power factor regulation, operation in all four quadrants, its high dynamic, sinusoidal current consumption, nearly sinusoidal output voltage waveform with low harmonic content, and high efficiency. To the main disadvantages belongs: amount of semiconductor devices, limited output voltage amplitude, and complicated control algorithm. The new prototype of the matrix converter equipped with modern sophisticated components (FPGA, one desk PC, etc.) in the converter’s control part is being developed. Modulator of the converter is going to be realized in Field Programmable Gate Array. The hardware protection circuits against over voltage and current overload are going to be evaluated directly in the FPGA, therefore the reaction time of the control algorithm to the possible failure will be much shorter.