Five-level PWM inverter using series and parallel alternative connection of batteries

Abstract

This paper presents a five-level PWM inverter using series and parallel connection of voltage sources. The alternative connection is done by an auxiliary circuit consisted of a switch, three diodes, and two batteries. The auxiliary circuit is located between input dc voltage source and H-bridge cell. Thanks to the auxiliary circuit, the proposed inverter synthesizes five-level output voltage in an effective way. Topologically both batteries are charged and discharged in the same rate, so it does not need to apply battery voltage balancing control method. Theoretical analysis of the proposed inverter is verified by computer-aided simulation and experiment based on a prototype of 1kW.