A novel hybrid diode-clamp cascade multilevel converter for high power application

In this paper, a novel hybrid diode-clamp cascade multilevel converter (HDCMC) is presented. The new concept of the converter is based on connection of multiple diode-clamp converter modules with different dc bus voltages. With the novel topology consisting of higher voltage modules and lower voltage modules, realization of multilevel converters using a hybrid approach involving higher voltage devices and faster devices operating in synergism is possible. A detailed example is given, and a general discussion of N-cell HDCMC is presented. Experiment validation is also carried out. From the experiment results, the novel converter can generate better output voltage and current waveforms compared to the conventional cascade converter.