A switching matrix analysis of three-level boost rectifier

Power electronics is the branch of electrical and electronic engineering concerned with the analysis, design, manufacture, and application of switching power converters. Power converters are devices interposed between sources of electrical energy and loads that usually convert that energy to some other form, where efficiency has always been a cardinal consideration in their design and application. The energy conversion function can be implemented in four basic forms: AC/AC, AC/DC, DC/AC and DC/DC. The most general case is polyphase AC to polyphase AC. Each conversion function corresponds with the appropriate converter, so one can deduce that if a converter topology is postulated to implement the most general function, polyphase AC to polyphase AC, then converter topologies capable of implementing all other functions can be derived from there. The topology postulated to fulfil the most general function is called the General Switching Matrix; all other converter topologies can be derived from it by applying appropriate functional restriction leading to topological simplifications. Based on the switching matrix theory, the topologies of a three phase, three level AC/DC converter (rectifier) have been developed. The analytical approach employed enables the internal structure of the converter to be defined.