A New Kite-Shaped Structure using Arrangement of Five DC Sources for Multilevel Inverter Topologies

This study presents a novel Multilevel Inverter (MLI) topology designed to reduce power component requirements while enhancing performance and efficiency. Traditional MLIs often struggle with power quality issues such as harmonic distortion and electromagnetic interference. The proposed topology adopts a modular kite-shaped configuration with five DC sources per module, enabling scalability and flexibility in voltage output generation. By minimizing the number of devices in the current conduction path, the design aims to lower power losses and improve overall system efficiency. Gating pulses necessary for MLI operation are generated using a Xilinx Spartan 3E FPGA controller, utilizing Look-up Tables (LUTs) for sine data and counters for triangle data generation. These pulses are processed through logical functions to produce precise PWM signals required for achieving desired voltage levels, ensuring accurate waveform control. Simulation studies in Matlab/Simulink validate the topology’s functionality and performance, showing its capability to generate output voltages with reduced harmonic content, crucial for enhancing power quality. Experimental validation further confirms the practical feasibility and reliability of the topology under real-world conditions. In conclusion, the developed MLI topology represents a significant advancement in power electronics, offering a compact, efficient and scalable solution for generating high-quality output voltages. Its FPGA-based pulse generation enhances control precision, making it suitable for applications in renewable energy systems, industrial drives and grid-tied inverters requiring high efficiency and low harmonic distortion.