A Switched-Diode Topology for Cascaded Multilevel Converters with Reduced Number of Switches

Abstract

In medium-voltage applications, the main issue with multilevel converters is that they require a large number of semiconductor switches when higher voltage levels are required. The main objective of this paper is to propose a multilevel converter topology that requires fewer semiconductor switches and lower voltage stress than other multilevel converters. To address the limitations of existing multilevel converters, the designed topology uses switched diode instant power switches. With twelve power switches, the proposed topology generates a 63-level in an asymmetric configuration. Based on a comparison with other reported cascaded structures, the new cascade topology produces a large number of levels with reduced power switches. Using the MATLAB/Simulink environment, the proposed 63-level converter is tested with resistance and resistance-inductive loads.