Implementation of a Single-carrier Multilevel PWM Technique Using Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)

The application of field programmable gate array (FPGA) in the development of power electronics circuits control scheme has drawn much attention due to its high computation speed, shorter design cycle and higher density. A single-carrier multilevel PWM technique has been recognized for a modular structured multilevel inverter (MSMI). This paper presents the implementation of the PWM technique using FPGA. A simulation study has been conducted on the operation of the MSMI based on this technique using MATLAB/Simulink. For hardware implementation, the gate signals of the MSMI power devices have been generated using MAX+PLUS II software and downloaded into an FPGA device (FLEX10K20) from Altera. The gate signals generated by the FLEX10K20 have been verified as similar to that obtained from the simulation study.