Triple-Source Reduced-Component-Count Multilevel Inverter Integrated with a Carrier-Less Hybrid Pulse-Width Modulation Strategy for Enhanced Power Conversion Performance

A novel reduced-component multilevel inverter (MLI) topology is presented to overcome the limitations of conventional multilevel inverters, such as high switching losses, complex modulation, and excessive semiconductor usage. The proposed triple-source cross-connected configuration minimizes conduction paths and reduces voltage stress across switching devices to approximately 45% of the total DC-link voltage. A hybrid carrier-less pulse-width modulation (PWM) strategy, derived from the equal-area criterion, was developed to generate switching pulses without the need for carriers or reference signals. Analytical and experimental analyses demonstrated a significant improvement in power quality, achieving a total harmonic distortion (THD) of 4.3%, compared with 8.2% in conventional PWM schemes, while enhancing the conversion efficiency from 91.5% to 95.2%. Simulation and hardware validation in a nine-level prototype confirmed the superior efficiency, low harmonic distortion, and compactness of the proposed inverter, making it well-suited for renewable energy integration, electric vehicles, and medium-power industrial systems.