A new family of matrix converters

A new family of matrix converters is introduced, that employs relatively simple voltage-clamped buses and can generate multilevel voltage waveforms of arbitrary magnitude and frequency. The basic configuration includes a nine-switch matrix that uses four-quadrant switch cells. Each four-quadrant switch cell resembles a full-bridge inverter and can assume three voltage levels during conduction. Semiconductor devices in a switch cell are clamped to a known constant DC voltage of a capacitor. Control of the input and output voltage waveforms of the proposed converter can be achieved through space vector modulation. Simulation results show how the converter can operate with any input and output voltages, currents, frequencies, and power factors while maintaining constant DC voltages across all switch cell capacitors.