A Novel Step-Up Single Source Multilevel Inverter: Topology, Operating Principle and Modulation

This paper presents a novel step-up DC to AC converter with only one power supply. These types of converters are suitable for renewable and sustainable energy applications with low input DC sources. The proposed topology has the ability of self-voltage balancing and does not apply end side H-bridge to produce a bipolar staircase waveform. Consequently, switching losses and voltage stress of semiconductor components are reduced to a great extent. A small DC voltage source can be used to achieve a high voltage high quality AC waveform through switching the pre-charged capacitors in series and in parallel. Circuit configuration and its operation principle, capacitors’ charging process, thermal model, capacitances and losses calculations are discussed in details. Moreover, the comparison of the proposed circuit with the other single source multilevel converters shows that the proposed topology reduces the number of circuit elements. Finally, a laboratory9-level prototype is built to verify the theoretical analyses and feasibility of the proposed topology. The experimental results show that the converter efficiency at 1 KW output power is 92.75%.