A time-based double band hysteresis current regulation strategy for single-phase multilevel inverters

Most multilevel inverter hysteresis current regulators use either multiple hysteresis bands, or a time-based switching logic that forces the current error back to zero by recursively stepping through successive voltage levels. Of these two alternatives, the time-based approach has the merit of only requiring simple analog circuitry and digital logic to implement the voltage level selection process for inverters of any number of voltage levels. But the approach can be less stable and have a poorer dynamic response than a multiple hysteresis band system. This paper presents a double band regulator that uses the slope of the current error to help determine the appropriate steady state voltage level to keep this error within the inner hysteresis band, while still allowing switching to the extreme inverter states during transient conditions to reduce the current error as rapidly as possible. The regulator achieves better stability and dynamic performance than previously reported schemes. The paper also presents an adaptation of the system to control a hybrid seven-level inverter. Theory, simulation and experimental results are presented.