A Comparative Analysis of Model Predictive Control-Based Isolated 5-Level Multi-level Inverter with Minimum Number of Switches

Abstract

Multi-level inverters (MLIs) have an important usage area in medium and high-power DC-AC applications. However, numerous power switch requirements, complex modulation techniques, and capacitor voltage imbalance issues are major problems with the use of this type of inverters. As a result, many attempts have been made to design MLIs with fewer components. This paper focuses on developing a 5-level transformer-based multi-level inverter (TB-MLI) with a sole direct current (DC) source, minimum number of transformers and switches. Besides, model predictive control (MPC) technique is applied for 5-level TB-MLI to keep the capacitor voltage balancing and generate the gate signals of switches and compared with conventional pulse-width modulation (PWM) method. A detailed comparison is presented simulation and experimental setup with the current literature studies and the performance of the proposed method is confirmed. A detailed comparison is presented to highlight the remarkable features of both control methods on proposed topology. Experimental setup (1 kW, 200 V-max) is improved to test the performance of proposed topology. Also, laboratory studies of the recommended topology are carried out with the TMS320F28335 Digital Signal Processor (DSP). The outcomes obtained from the laboratory studies verify the superiority of recommended topology and control technique over the conventional control method.