Abstract
Conventional multilevel inverter topologies like neutral point clamped (NPC), flying capacitor (FC), and cascade H bridge (CHB) are employed in the industry but require a large number of switches and passive and active components for the generation of a higher number of voltage levels. Consequently, the cost and complexity of the inverter increases. In this work, the basic unit of a switched capacitor topology was generalized utilizing a cascaded H-bridge structure for realizing a switched-capacitor multilevel inverter (SCMLI). The proposed generalized MLI can generate a significant number of output voltage levels with a lower number of components. The operation of symmetric and asymmetric configurations was shown with 13 and 31 level output voltage generation, respectively. Self-capacitor voltage balancing and boosting capability are the key features of the proposed SCMLI structure. The nearest level control modulation scheme was employed for controlling and regulating the output voltage. Based on the longest discharging time, the optimum value of capacitance was also calculated. A generalized formula for the generation of higher voltage levels was also derived. The proposed model was simulated in the MATLAB®/Simulink 2016a environment. Simulation results were validated with the hardware implementation.
Highlights
Conversion of power from DC to AC or AC to DC is a key technology involved in the generation, transmission, distribution, and utilization of electrical energy
High total harmonic distortion (THD) with the requirement of higher blocking voltage rating devices and the better design of filters for improving the power quality restrict their application to a small power range
The nearest level control modulation scheme (NLC), which comes under the fundamental switching frequency scheme [26], is employed for controlling the switches
Summary
Conversion of power from DC to AC or AC to DC is a key technology involved in the generation, transmission, distribution, and utilization of electrical energy. Authors in [22] presented a switched capacitor multilevel inverter; this circuit can generate higher number of voltage levels with fewer switches in asymmetric configuration, but the TSV of the structure is significant. By the simultaneous charging and discharging of capacitors, authors in [23] obtained multilevel output voltage It requires a large number of bidirectional switches and it increases the TSV of the circuit significantly. Authors in [25] proposed a new basic unit cell where the boosting factor is three times the DC supply voltage with the help of five semiconductor switches, two capacitors, and one diode. The nearest level control modulation scheme (NLC), which comes under the fundamental switching frequency scheme [26], is employed for controlling the switches
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