Optimized modulation techniques for the generalized N-level converter

Abstract

A balancing control strategy that allows the voltage differences among the DC link capacitors of the generalized n-level power converter to be minimized is presented. The case n=3 is treated, but the technique can be generalized to larger n values. The balancing algorithm does not achieve correct voltage sharing of the capacitors under all operating conditions, but it provides a great improvement. This strategy appears to be very promising in single-phase applications, for which nonredundant switching configurations do not affect the capacitor voltage balance.<>