Title :
A New Multilevel Converter Topology With Reduced Number of Power Electronic Components
Author :
Ebrahimi, Javad ; Babaei, Ebrahim ; Gharehpetian, Gevorg B.
Author_Institution :
Electr. Eng. Dept., Amirkabir Univ. of Technol., Tehran, Iran
Abstract :
In this paper, a new topology for cascaded multilevel converter based on submultilevel converter units and full-bridge converters is proposed. The proposed topology significantly reduces the number of dc voltage sources, switches, IGBTs, and power diodes as the number of output voltage levels increases. Also, an algorithm to determine dc voltage sources magnitudes is proposed. To synthesize maximum levels at the output voltage, the proposed topology is optimized for various objectives, such as the minimization of the number of switches, gate driver circuits and capacitors, and blocking voltage on switches. The analytical analyses of the power losses of the proposed converter are also presented. The operation and performance of the proposed multilevel converter have been evaluated with the experimental results of a single-phase 125-level prototype converter.
Keywords :
power convertors; power semiconductor switches; DC voltage source magnitude; IGBT; capacitors; cascaded multilevel converter topology; full-bridge converters; gate driver circuits; power diodes; power electronic components; power losses; single-phase level prototype converter; submultilevel converter units; switches; Capacitors; DC-DC power converters; Insulated gate bipolar transistors; Leg; Switches; Topology; Bidirectional switch; cascaded multilevel converter; full-bridge converter; multilevel converter; submultilevel converter;
Journal_Title :
Industrial Electronics, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TIE.2011.2151813