Real time implementation of a new seven level multilevel inverter with design considerations for feasible and reliable operation

Abstract

SummaryFuture power electronics is moving towards compact, economical, feasible, and reliable inverters for integration with renewable energy sources and energy efficient drive schemes. Multilevel inverters (MLIs) are becoming more prominent candidates for such medium and high power applications. Though their attractive performance offers a better choice, the real time implementation of MLIs suffer with higher part count, compatibility of bidirectional switches, complementary conditions, number of transitions, polarity conversion module, and reliability. In order to bridge this gap, this work has come up with a new seven level symmetric MLI for utility applications. The abovementioned design parameters have been considered in the proposed MLI that promotes feasible and reliable operation for real time implementation. To defend this proposed topology, recent symmetric seven level MLI topologies have been compared and the results are compiled from constructional, operational, and performance aspects using Matlab/SIMULINK. The performance indices quantified for the analysis include part count, total harmonic distortion (THD), complementary conditions, number of transitions, polarity conversion module, switching losses, and reliability in terms of failure rate. The proposed topology has been validated through real time hardware implementation in which Atmega 2560 microprocessor is deployed for pulse generation.