Realization of a Generalized Switched-Capacitor Multilevel Inverter Topology with Less Switch Requirement

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.

A Cross Connected Asymmetrical Switched-Capacitor Multilevel Inverter

“…PLECS software is used for taking the results. The load is taken as resistive since resistive loading is considered the worst-case scenario in analyzing loss of power in SCMLIs [39], [40], [41].…”

Realization of 485 Level Inverter Using Tri-State Architecture for Renewable Energy Systems

“…The magnitude of DC voltage sources is designed by considering VT i3 = y × VT i1 . In general, the amplitude of the 'VT i1 ' and 'VT i3 ' is given in Equations ( 6) and (7).…”

“…A complete review of MLI with fewer components is done in Reference [5,6]. Moreover, new topologies of inverters were investigated in References [7,8] to reduce the harmonic contents.…”

Trends and Challenges in Multi-Level Inverter with Reduced Switches

“…Recently, for hybrid systems cascade multilevel inverters are applied. Many topologies are there to create the staircase voltages with higher levels with low devices count [6]. A new MLI is designed to generate generate 27-level and fifty one level output voltages using constant voltage sources for resistive-inductive load [7].…”