New Space Vector Modulation Technique for Single-Phase Multilevel Converters

Single-phase multilevel converters are suitable for medium power applications as photovoltaic systems and switched reluctance machines. An overview of possible modulation methods including carrier-based pulse width modulation and space vector modulation techniques for multilevel single-phase converters is presented. A new space vector modulation for this type of converters is proposed. This space vector modulation method is very simple presenting low computational cost. Different solutions for the space vector modulation are presented achieving similar output results but imposing restrictions on the power converter topology. Optimization algorithms balancing the DC-link voltage or minimizing the commutation losses are presented. Experimental results using a 150 kVA five-level diode- clamped converter are shown to validate the proposed modulation and optimization methods.