A fast and generalized space vector modulation scheme for multilevel inverters

This paper presents a fast and generalized space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) scheme for multilevel inverters. The SVPWM scheme generates all the available switching states and switching sequences based on two simple and general mappings, and calculates the duty cycles simply as if for a two-level SVPWM, thus independent of the level of the inverter. Because the switching states, duty cycles, and switching sequences are all obtained by simple calculation in the proposed SVPWM scheme, no lookup table is needed and the scheme is computationally fast. The generalized method of generating the switching states (first mapping), calculating the duty cycles, and determining the switching sequence (second mapping) is provided in the paper. Simulation results of five-, six-, and seven-level inverters are given.