A five-phase multilevel space-vector PWM algorithm for a dual-inverter supplied drive

Open-end winding variable speed drives with dual-inverter supply have been extensively investigated for various applications, including series hybrid powertrains and propulsion motors. The topology is simple to realise while offering a higher number of switching states without the need for capacitor balancing algorithms, when compared to standard multilevel converters. The existing body of work is however restricted to the three-phase electric machinery. This paper looks at the possibility of using a five-phase machine in an open-end winding configuration with dual five-phase inverter supply for these applications. Two possible space-vector PWM (SVM) algorithms are developed in the paper. The SVM schemes are relatively simple and use two two-level five-phase space-vector modulators, which have been previously shown to generate output voltages with minimum low-order harmonic content. The first SVM method has identical performance to the standard two-level inverter since it develops nine-level output phase voltage. The second method generates up to seventeen-level output phase voltage and therefore offers superior harmonic performance. The developed schemes are verified via simulation and the harmonic performance is analysed.