A New Hybrid Multilevel Inverter Topology with Reduced Switch Count and dc Voltage Sources

Abstract

In this paper, a new single-phase hybrid multilevel inverter (MLI) is proposed. Compared to other existing MLI topologies, the proposed circuit is capable of producing a higher number of output voltage levels using fewer power switches and dc sources. The levels are synthesized by switching the dc voltage sources in series/parallel combinations. An auxiliary circuit is introduced to double the number of levels by creating an intermediate step in between two levels. In addition, a zero level is introduced to overcome the inherent absence of this level in the original circuit. To improve the total harmonic distortion, a hybrid modulation technique is utilized. The operation and performance of the circuit are analyzed and confirmed using MATLAB/Simulink simulation. To validate the workability of the proposed idea, a 300 W, a thirteen level MLI (including the zero level) is designed and constructed. The circuit is tested with a no-load, resistive load and resistive-inductive load. The experimental results match very closely with the simulation and mathematical analysis.

Keywords

• multilevel inverter
• dc-ac power converter
• PWM technique
• power conversion