Utilizing the cuckoo optimization algorithm for selective harmonic elimination strategy in the cascaded multilevel inverter

Abstract

There are several procedures to solve the selective harmonic elimination (SHE) problem. In this paper, the elimination of undesired harmonics in a multilevel inverter with equal DC sources by using cuckoo evolutionary optimization method is presented. SHE is an efficient method for achieving the desired fundamental component and eliminating selection harmonics. The recently developed evolutionary optimization method named cuckoo (COA) is used to solve the nonlinear transcendental equations of SHE problem. To verify the presented method accuracy, simulation and experimental results are provided for a 7-level cascaded multi-level inverter. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is evaluated with intensive simulation and experimental studies. The obtained results show that the cuckoo algorithm is more efficient than Bee algorithm (BA) and Genetic algorithm (GA) in eliminating the selective harmonics which cause the lower total harmonic distortion (THD) in the output voltage.