Reduced Component Boost Seven-Level Inverter (RCB7LI) with Self-Voltage Balancing

A new switched-capacitor based boosting multilevel inverter is proposed for distributed generation, electric vehicle, and other applications. The salient feature of the proposed topology is the step-up capability and multilevel output voltage generation with reduced component count. Two floating capacitors (FCs) fed three-level T-type converter (TTC) and an intermediate unit capable of connecting the TTC in series or parallel with the dc-link are integrated for achieving a voltage gain of 1.5. The voltage across these FCs are naturally balanced thereby eliminating the need for any additional balancing circuitry. The operating principle is deliberated in detail through extensive simulations followed by the experimental validation using a down scale prototype and the results are presented. Finally, the merits of the proposed topology which include lesser switch count, reduced switch voltage stress, self-balancing capability and reduced capacitor count are demonstrated through a comprehensive comparative study and the results are presented.