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Vol. V, No. I, February 2018 www.ijrtonline.org
Abstract— Multilevel converters have been evolving for a long A multilevel inverter is basically a power electronic interface
time, however it is still under continuous development, and many that produces a desired output voltage by connecting various
new topologies have emerged in the recent researches. This paper DC sources and switches in an appropriate manner. Multilevel
presents a review of these recent contributions to ascertain the inverters are nowadays becoming a key solution for DC power
trends in this area so as to provide present standing of multilevel
utilization (batteries, solar panels or fuel cells) [1-2], high
converter technology. Initially a brief overview of the established
multilevel converters is presented and then the new promising dynamic performance and power-quality constrained
topologies are discussed. While the classical topologies have applications covering a power range from 1 to 30 MW [3].
proved to be an alternative, there has been an active interest in The basic concept of an MLI to achieve higher power is to
the evolution of newer topologies. Reduction in overall part count use power semiconductor switches like IGBTs, MOSFETs, etc.
as compared to the conventional topologies has been an along with appropriate DC voltage sources to perform the
important objective in the recently introduced topologies. In this power conversion by synthesizing a staircase voltage
paper, some of the recently proposed multilevel inverter waveform. This paper reviews recent as well as conventional
topologies with reduced power switches are reviewed. The topologies of multilevel inverters to seek a MLI with reduced
comparison of the different topologies presented in this paper
may help readers to seek an appropriate multilevel solution for a
number of switches for higher step count in the output. Though
given application. Recent advances made in modulation and multilevel inverter is a proven technology yet it has lot of
control of multilevel converters is also addressed. The paper challenges and possibilities. Researchers are trying to further
emphasises on applications of multilevel converters in non improve efficiency, reliability, power density, simplicity and
conventional application areas. Finally, some future trends and cost of classical multilevel inverter topologies like the Neutral
challenges in the further development of this technology are Point Clamped (NPC), Cascaded H-bridge (CHB) and the
discussed. Flying Capacitor (FC), and their modulation methods.
Keywords: Multilevel Inverter (MLI), Cascaded Half bridge (CHB),
Neutral point clamp (NPC), Flying Capacitor (FC). II. CLASSIC MULTILEVEL TOPOLOGY OVERVIEW
The classic topologies are those that have been extensively
I. INTRODUCTION
addressed and have been in applications for more than a
Multilevel inverters are finding increased attention as one of decade. Multilevel technology started with the multilevel
the preferred choices for electronic power conversion and stepped waveform concept with Series Connected Half Bridges
today are considered a mature and proven technology. (CHB) inverter. This was followed by development of a flying
Presently they are widely used in blast furnace blowers, capacitor (FC) topology the same year [4].
conveyors, crushers, compressors, pumps, fans, rolling mills,
hoists, HVDC transmission, hydro pumped storage, wind
energy conversion, solar photovoltaic systems, and railway
traction systems to name a few [1]. With the advent of recent
power sensors, digital controllers and electronics devices, the
role of power inverters has become critical for futuristic smart
grids having greater penetration and integration of renewable
energy sources based power generation [9].
Fig. 7: Series Connected Switched Sources (SCSS) based MLI Fig. 9: Reversing Voltage (RV) Topology
D. Multi-level Module (MLM) MLI: F. Two-Switch Enabled Level Generation (TSELG) MLI
A MLM MLI topology is formed by using a “level- A two-switch enabled level generation based MLI [12]
generation” and a “polarity generation” section [12] with topology has separate level-generation and polarity-generation
level-generation section containing input DC sources and parts and requires a mix of unidirectional and bidirectional
bidirectional controlled switches. The switches in the polarity- switches.
generation part are bidirectional semi controlled switches that
can withstand the maximum voltage generated by the level
generation part as shown in Fig. 8.
[3] J. S. Lai and F. Z. Peng, Multilevel converters. A new breed of [16] [16] Samir Kouro, Mariusz Malinowski, K. Gopakumar, Josep
power converters,[ IEEE Trans. Ind. Appl., vol. 32, pp. 509– Pou, “Recent Advances and Industrial Applications of
517, May/Jun. 1996. Multilevel Converters, April, 2010.
[4] J. A. Dickerson and G. H. Ottaway, “Transformerless power [17] L. Hassaine, E. OLias, J. Quintero, V. Salas , Overview of
supply with line to load isolation,” US Patent No. 3,596,369, power inverter topologies and control structures for grid
Filed 22 December 1969 Granted 3 August 1971. connected photovoltaic systems, Renewable and Sustainable
Energy Reviews 30 (2014) 796–807, Elsevier (Science Direct).
[5] R. H. Baker, “High-voltage converter circuit,” US Patent No.
4,203,151, Filed 21 September 1978 Granted 13 May 1980.
[6] F. Z. Peng, “A generalized multilevel converter topology with
self-voltage balancing,” IEEE Transactions on Industry
Applications, vol. 37, no.2, pp. 611–618, Mar./Apr. 2001.