Xilinx FPGA-Based Single Phase Seven-Level Inverter with Single Input DC Voltage Source

Abstract

This paper presents a new multi-output boost (MOB)-switched capacitor-based asymmetrical seven-level DC/AC converter with single DC source. It has potential applications for low voltage fuel cell, PV cell inverters, electric vehicles, energy devices, etc. with front end MOB-switched capacitors and uses a single input DC source for generating multi-level output voltage waveform with reduced device counts and gate drivers. The proposed MOB converter generates asymmetrical DC link output voltage that is converted into AC using one H-bridge inverter and auxiliary switches. Operation of the proposed topology is explained with the use of a single phase seven-level boost inverter and the appropriate control scheme is also presented. Exhaustive comparisons of proposed topology are made with conventional multi-level inverters and recently new topologies have been proposed in the literature. Simulation results using MATLAB are given to verify the proposed topology. A prototype model is developed to validate the concept and their control signals are generated using Spartan 6 FPGA using MATLAB/Xilinx simulation blocks.