Hybridized PWM Strategy for Three- and Multiphase Three-Level NPC Inverters

A simple hybridized pulsewidth modulation (PWM) algorithm for three- and multiphase three-level neutral point clamped (NPC) inverters is proposed. The proposed solution is based on classical space vector PWM (SVPWM) algorithms for two-level inverters but can also be based on sinusoidal PWM with min-max injection. An additional level of output voltage is obtained by modifying the resulting switching patterns taking into account the actual dc-link voltages. In the case of SVPWM algorithms, such an approach eliminates the need to find the subsector where the reference voltage vector is located. It is also not necessary to analyze the changes in the position and length of active vectors in the case of dc-link voltage imbalance. DC-link voltage balancing is achieved by modifying the switching pattern, taking into account the values and direction of phase currents and actual dc-link voltages. Also, the algorithm optimizes the switching pattern and eliminates unnecessary switching instances. The proposed approach utilizes both space vector analysis and independent control of individual inverter-legs. The latter is peculiar to carrier-based PWM; hence, the proposed solution is termed hybridized PWM. Presented experimental tests and results validated the proposed control concept and algorithm for three- and multiphase NPC inverters.