New Multilevel Inverter Topology with Reduced Component Count

This paper introduces a new topology of modular multilevel inverters, being suitable in medium and high voltage applications. As compared to the existing circuits, the proposed topology has advantages of high `levels/components' ratio, increasing the output voltage levels without increasing the voltage stress across the used switches, structure simplicity, isolation features, and modularity. These merits allow it to fit well in high-reliability medium-power applications, which require fast troubleshooting and maintenance flexibility. Operating principles of the proposed scheme are detailed in low frequency and pulse width modulation. Simulation and experimental results validate the effectiveness of the circuit under different modulation and load conditions. Further, a comparative study between the proposed topology and other existing multilevel topologies was conducted and summarized in this paper.