Matrix Inverter: A Multilevel Inverter Based on Matrix Converter Switch Matrix

This paper presents a new concept of matrix converter application as an inverter. A matrix converter is commonly used as an AC-to-AC conversion device. Hypothetically the AC sources of the matrix converter can be replaced with DC sources. By using a switching strategy similar to a multilevel inverter switching strategy, and some modification on the matrix converter topology, the matrix converter is able to produce a stepped output waveform similar to a multilevel inverter output. The proposed matrix inverter is fundamentally built on the basis of the combination of matrix converter topology with the DC-to-AC conversion technique of a multilevel inverter. The number of rows in the switches matrix represents the number of output voltage level, while the number of columns represents the number of output phases. The matrix inverter topology version variations can be synthesized for single-phase, two-phase, three-phase, four-phase, five-phase, six-phase and up to any number of output phases - not limited by the number of the input sources, with each output phase frequency can be set independently. A 41-level, three-phase matrix inverter has been constructed and tested in order to validate the matrix inverter concept.