Optimal Total Harmonic Distortion of Programmed Pulse Width Modulated 5- and 7-Level Multilevel Inverters
Disciplines
Power and Energy
Abstract (300 words maximum)
As clean energy technologies such as solar panels, and fuel cells become more prevalent, the demand for DC-to-AC inverters increases. Using multilevel inverters offers several advantages compared to other inverter technologies, such as reduced system size, weight, and cost, as well as higher efficiency. Deployment of these inverters however faces the issue of harmonic distortion, preventing mass adoption. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the body of knowledge on the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) produced by both 5- and 7-level programmed Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) symmetric and asymmetric Cascaded H-Bridge (CHB) inverters. Analytical expressions for the inverter output waveform were obtained from previous research which used a double Fourier integral technique and optimization algorithms employed to find the THD-minimizing device switching angles. The experimental results were then compared to the analytical and simulated results. This research offers insight into the ideal ratios of asymmetry and the appropriate device switching angles needed to achieve minimum THD for 5- and 7-level programmed PWM inverters.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
SPCEET - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Bill Diong
Optimal Total Harmonic Distortion of Programmed Pulse Width Modulated 5- and 7-Level Multilevel Inverters
As clean energy technologies such as solar panels, and fuel cells become more prevalent, the demand for DC-to-AC inverters increases. Using multilevel inverters offers several advantages compared to other inverter technologies, such as reduced system size, weight, and cost, as well as higher efficiency. Deployment of these inverters however faces the issue of harmonic distortion, preventing mass adoption. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the body of knowledge on the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) produced by both 5- and 7-level programmed Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) symmetric and asymmetric Cascaded H-Bridge (CHB) inverters. Analytical expressions for the inverter output waveform were obtained from previous research which used a double Fourier integral technique and optimization algorithms employed to find the THD-minimizing device switching angles. The experimental results were then compared to the analytical and simulated results. This research offers insight into the ideal ratios of asymmetry and the appropriate device switching angles needed to achieve minimum THD for 5- and 7-level programmed PWM inverters.