A cost-effective 17-level single-source switched-capacitor multilevel inverter with low device count and high voltage gain

Abstract This article introduces a novel switched-capacitor multilevel inverter (SCMLI) topology that achieves octuple voltage boosting while employing a low component count. To achieve a 17-level output voltage, the proposed topology incorporates a single DC input source, ten semiconductor switches, three capacitors, and three diodes. By employing a parallel-series charging and discharging pattern, the capacitors autonomously balance their voltage without relying on external circuits or sensors, thereby simplifying control mechanism. A comprehensive analysis with recently developed 17-level SCMLI systems is conducted, emphasizing the merits and functional benefits of the proposed structure in terms of voltage gain, power losses, and total standing voltage (TSV). Furthermore, the analysis also considers the reduction in key components such as diodes, capacitors, gate driver circuits, and semiconductor switches. The suggested design is especially suited for renewable energy systems, such as grid and load interfacing. The efficacy of the proposed SCMLI module is validated through offline simulation in a MATLAB/Simulink platform utilizing the in-phase disposition level-shifted multicarrier (IPD-LSM) modulation scheme. Additionally, the power losses of system components under various operating conditions are evaluated through the Piecewise Linear Electrical Circuit Simulation (PLECS) software platform. The proposed inverter achieves a peak efficiency of 96.27% at an output power of 250 W, with voltage THD of 5.23% and current THD of 2.25% under rated operating conditions. To further validate the performance, real-time testing is conducted using the Typhoon HIL604 emulator, confirming the accuracy of offline simulation results.