On-line switching loss reduction scheme by general space vector PWM for multilevel NPC inverter

Abstract

This paper proposes a general space-vector (SV) modulation method for the optimal on-line reduction of the switching losses in any n-multilevel inverter. The proposed method consists of two steps. One is a general principle for generation of the SV map for an arbitrary n-level type to utilize redundant SVs. The other is the optimal selection of the SV pattern which minimizes the switching losses considering the three-phase currents based on the two-phase modulation method. The proposed method is investigated and validated for simulated and experimented results.