A Double-Modulation-Wave PWM With Reduced Dependency on Current Polarities for Dead-Time-Effect Elimination in Three-Level T-Type Converters

No dead-time is contained in the existing dead-time elimination pulsewidth modulation (PWM) for three-phase three-level T-type converters, where complementary drive pulses are allocated alternatively according to polarities of output currents. Consequently, the dead-time effect can be inherently avoided. However, the dependency on current polarities seriously limits its widespread application. Wrong current polarities, e.g., in a dynamic process, will lead to the output-voltage disappearance, thus aggravating the possible “algebraic loop” issue and impairing the stability of the system. In this article, in order to reduce the dependency on current polarities while retaining the characteristic of dead-time-effect elimination, a double-modulation-wave PWM is proposed by modifying the dead-time elimination PWM. Two modulation waves with a magnitude difference are adopted for generating underlap periods between complementary drive pulses, which can avoid the shoot-through failure and no dead-time effect will be generated. And to further simplify the implementation process, the two modulation waves are decomposed by introducing a magnitude-adjustment factor related to the current polarity. Whereas it is also due to the employment of two modulation waves, extra issues of overmodulation, single drive pulses, and a shorter underlap period may occur, which are analyzed in detail and the negative effect can be avoided. Finally, the proposed PWM is experimentally verified, showing the effectiveness on harmonic suppression and the reduced dependency on current polarities.