Current Controlled PWM for Multilevel Voltage-Source Inverters with Variable and Constant Switching Frequency Regulation Techniques: A Review

Due to advancements in power electronics and inverter topologies, the current controlled multilevel voltage-source pulse width modulated (PWM) inverter is usually preferred for accurate control, quick response and high dynamic performance. A multilevel topology approach is found to be best suited for overcoming many problems arising from the use of high power converters. This paper presents a comprehensive review and comparative study of several current control (CC) techniques for multilevel inverters with a special emphasis on various approaches of the hysteresis current controller. Since the hysteresis CC technique poses a problem of variable switching frequency, a ramp-comparator controller and a predictive controller to attain constant switching frequency are described along with its quantitative comparison. Furthermore, various methods have been reviewed to achieve hysteresis current control PWM with constant switching frequency operation. This paper complies various guidelines to choose a particular method suitable for application at a given power level, switching frequency and dynamic response.