EE8407

Power Converter Systems

Topic 6
Multilevel Cascaded H-Bridge (CHB) Inverters

H-bride power cells

CHB Inverter Fed Drive

Source: Toshiba - General Electric

1

Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

EE8407

Topic 6

Multilevel CHB Inverters

Lecture Topics
H-Bridge Inverter

CHB Inverter Topologies

Phase Shifted PWM
Voltage Shifted PWM
PWM Scheme Comparison

2
Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

EE8407

Topic 6

Multilevel CHB Inverters

Why Use Multilevel Inverters?
To increase inverter operating voltage without devices in series
To minimize THD with low switching frequencies fsw
To reduce EMI due to lower voltage steps

Switching frequency for high power converters:

fsw = 60Hz

~ 1000Hz

3
Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

EE8407

Topic 6 Multilevel CHB Inverters

Multilevel Converter Topologies

Per-Phase Diagram

Cd

Cd

Cd

Cd

Cd

4
Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

EE8407

Topic 6 Multilevel CHB Inverters

H-Bridge Inverters
H-bridge Power Cell
P

S1

Vd

S3

D1

g1

D3

g3

Cd

v AB
B

S4

D4

g4

S2

D2

g2

5
Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

EE8407

Topic 6 Multilevel CHB Inverters

H-Bridge Inverters
Typical Industrial Applications
Utility
Grid

H-bridge
= 0

B
= 0

= 0

S1

= 30

Vd

S3

D1

g1

= 30

D3

g3

Cd

v AB
B

S4

= 30

Phase Shifting
Transformer

Five-level CHB inverter

D4

g4

Neutral

S2
g2

D2

H-bridge Power Cell

6

Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

EE8407

Topic 6 Multilevel CHB Inverters

H-Bridge Inverters
Bipolar Modulation
vm

1 .0

v cr

S1
2

0
-1 .0

D3

g3

Cd

Vd

vg1

S3

D1

g1

v AB
B

S4

vg3

D4

g4

v AN

D2

Vd

S2
g2

v BN

Vd

v AB 1

v AB
0

V d

Bipolar PWM:

Vd

vAB from -Vd to +Vd

V AB n / V d
0 .6

or from +Vd to -Vd

(a ) W av e fo rm s

n =1
mf 2

0 .4

mf +2

0 .2

2m
2m

2m

3m
f

+3

4m f 1

0
1

10

20

30

40

50

60

(b ) H a rm o nic sp ec trum

Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

EE8407

Topic 6 Multilevel CHB Inverters

H-Bridge Inverters
Bipolar Modulation (FFT)
V AB n
Vd

mf
0.8

0.707

0.6

n=1
0.4

2m f 1
0.2

mf

2m f 3
0
0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

ma
8

Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

EE8407

Topic 6 Multilevel CHB Inverters

H-Bridge Inverters
Unipolar Modulation (1)
vm

1.0

S1

v cr

-1.0

D3

g3

S3

D1

g1

vm

Cd

Vd

v AB
B

S4

v g1

D4

g4

vg 3

S2

D2

g2

N
v AN

Vd

Two modulation waves

v BN

Vd

vm and vm-

v AB

One carrier wave vcr

Vd

(a) W aveform s

V AB n / V d
0.6

n =1

0.4

2m f 1

0.2
0
1

10

20

Unipolar PWM:

4m f 1

2m f + 3

2m f 3
30

40

50

60

vAB from 0 to +Vd

or from 0 to -Vd

(b) H arm onic spectrum

Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

EE8407

Topic 6 Multilevel CHB Inverters

H-Bridge Inverters
Unipolar Modulation (2)
vm

vcr

S1

1.0

Vd

D3

g3

0
-1.0

S3

D1

g1

Cd

v AB
B

vcr

S4

D4

g4

vg1
vg 3

S2
g2

D2

vAB
0

Vd

One modulating wave vm

Two carrier waves

vcr and vcr10

Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

EE8407

Topic 6 Multilevel CHB Inverters

CHB Inverter Topologies

Five-Level CHB Inverter
LOAD
O

S11

S31

S 41

S 21

S12

S 32

S 42

vH 1 E

vH 2 E

Complementary
Switch pairs:
S11 and S41;
S31 and S21;

S12 and S42;

S32 and S22;

S 22

Converters in cascade, but no switching devices in series.

11
Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

EE8407

Topic 6 Multilevel CHB Inverters

CHB Inverter Topologies

Output Voltage and Switching Status (five-level)
Output Voltage

Switching State

vAN

S11

S31

S12

S32

2E

1
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0

0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
1
0
1

1
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
0

0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
1
0
1
1
1

-E
-2E

vH1

vH 2

E
E
E
0
0
0
0
0
0
E
-E
-E
-E
0
0
-E

E
0
0
E
E
0
0
0
0
-E
E
0
0
-E
-E
-E

S11

S31

S 41

S 21

S12

S 32

S 42

S 22

vH 1

vH 2

Waveform of vAN is composed of five voltage levels: 2E, E, 0, -E, and -2E

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Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

EE8407

Topic 6 Multilevel CHB Inverters

CHB Inverter Topologies

Seven- and Nine-Level Inverters (Per phase diagram)
A

S11

S 31

vH 1

vH 2

vH 3

vH 4

vH 1
S 41

S 21

S12

S 32

S 42

S 22

vH 2

S13

S33

S43

S 23

vH 3

N
N

13
Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

EE8407

Topic 6 Multilevel CHB Inverters

CHB Inverter Topologies

Unequal dc Bus Voltages
A

S11

S31

vH 1

S11

S31

vH 1

S41

S21

S41

S 21

S12

S32

S12

S32

vH 2

2E

S 42

S 22

vH 2

3E

S 42
N

S 22
N
14

Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

EE8407

Topic 6 Multilevel CHB Inverters

CHB Inverter Topologies

Unequal dc Bus Voltages (Two-cell seven-level topology)
Output Voltage

Switching State

V AN

S11

S 31

S12

S 32

3E

1
1
0
1
1
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
0
0

0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
1
0
1
1
1
0
1

1
1
1
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
1
0
1
1
1

2E

-E

-2E
-3E

VH1
E
0
0
E
E
-E
0
0
0
0
E
-E
-E
0
0
-E

VH 2
2E
2E
2E
0
0
2E
0
0
0
0
-2E
0
0
-2E
-2E
-2E

S11

S31

S 41

S 21

S12

S32

S 42

S 22

vH 1

vH 2

2E

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Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

EE8407

Topic 6 Multilevel CHB Inverters

Phase Shifted PWM

Carrier Based PWM Phase Shifted
v cr 1

v cr 2

v cr 3

# of voltage levels: m = 7

1.0

v mA

# of carriers: mc = m - 1 = 6

Phase shift: 360 / mc = 60

-1.0

v cr 1

v g 11
v g 31

v cr 2

v cr 3

vH 1
E

Carriers for H1 bridge:

vcr1 and vcr1-

Carriers for H2 bridge:

vcr2 and vcr2-

v g 12
v g 32
vH 2

v g 13
v g 33
vH 3

Carriers for H3 bridge:

vcr3 and vcr3-

v AN
3E
0

v AN = v H 1 + v H 2 + v H 3

m=7
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Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

EE8407

Topic 6 Multilevel CHB Inverters

Phase Shifted PWM

Inverter Waveforms (7-level, phase shifted)
vH1

Switching occurs at
different times
fsw(device) = 60 mf = 600Hz

vH 2
vH3
vAN

Inverter phase voltage

levels: 7
Low EMI

3E
0

Line-to-line voltage
levels: 13
Close to a sinusoid
Low THD

vAB
6E
0

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Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

EE8407

Topic 6 Multilevel CHB Inverters

Phase Shifted PWM

FFT (7-level, phase shifted)
1
H

n / Vd

2m f 1

4m f 1

6m f 1

Lowest harmonics:
around 2mf

6m f 3

Lowest harmonics:
around 6mf
Containing triplen
harmonics

V ANn / Vd

6m f 9

6m f + 9

V ABn / Vd
6m f 7

6m f 1

6m f + 7

No triplen harmonics
Equivalent fsw(inverter)
= 60(6mf ) = 3600Hz
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Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

EE8407

Topic 6 Multilevel CHB Inverters

Phase Shifted PWM

Harmonic Content (7-level, phase shifted)
V AB n
Vd
y

y
0.3

= 1.224

n=1
0.2

6m f 5
0.1

6m f 7

6m f 1
6 m f 11

0
0

0.2

0.4

0.6

ma

0.8

19

Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

EE8407

Topic 6 Multilevel CHB Inverters

Level Shifted PWM

Carrier Based PWM Level Shifted
vcr1

vm

vcr2

vcr3

IPD
# of voltage levels:
m=5

vcr4

vcr1

vm

vcr2

vcr3

APOD

# of carriers:
mc = m - 1 = 4

vcr4

vcr1
vcr2
vcr3

vm

POD

vcr4

IPD provides the best harmonic profile.

20

Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

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EE8407

Topic 6 Multilevel CHB Inverters

Level Shifted PWM

Gating Arrangement (7-level)
v mA
v cr1

# of voltage levels:
m =7

v cr2
v cr3

v cr3v cr2 -

# of carriers:
mc = m - 1 = 6

v cr1v g11
v g31
vH 1

fsw(device):
- not equal to fcr, and
- not the same for all switches.

v g 12
v g 32
E

vH 2

Device conduction angle:

- not equal.

v g 13
v g 33
E

vH 3

Necessary to swap switching

pattern.

v AN
3E
0

v AN = v H 1 + v H 2 + v H 3

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Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

EE8407

Topic 6 Multilevel CHB Inverters

Level Shifted PWM

Inverter Output Voltages (seven-level)
vH 1
vH 2
vH 3

m=7
Switching occurs at
different times

v AN

fsw(device) = fcr /mc =

600Hz (avg)

v AB
2

vAB close to a sinusoid

VANn / Vd

Low THD, low EMI

mf + 6

mf 6

Equivalent fsw(inv) =
fc = 3600Hz

VABn / Vd

m f 16

mf 8

mf 2

mf +8

m f + 16

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Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

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EE8407

Topic 6 Multilevel CHB Inverters

Level Shifted PWM

Prototype at Ryerson
(Seven-level CHB Inverter)

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Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

EE8407

Topic 6 Multilevel CHB Inverters

Level Shifted PWM

Measured Waveforms (IPD, 7-level)

Inverter phase voltage

vAZ

Line-to-line voltage

vAB
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Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

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EE8407

Topic 6 Multilevel CHB Inverters

PWM Scheme Comparison

PWM at Low ma

vH 1
vH 2
vH 3

v AN
E

At

v AB

ma = 0.2:

THD = 96.7%

2E
0

- Phase shifted PWM:

THD = 96.7%
- Level shifted PWM:
THD = 48.8%

(a) Phase-shifted modulation

vH 1
vH 2
vH 3
v AN
E
0

v AB

THD = 48.8%

2E
0

(b) Level-shifted modulation (IPD)

25

Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

EE8407

Topic 6 Multilevel CHB Inverters

PWM Scheme Comparison

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)

f sw,dev = 600Hz

ma
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Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

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EE8407

Topic 6 Multilevel CHB Inverters

PWM Scheme Comparison

Summary
Comparison
Device Switching Frequency
Device Conduction
Period
Rotating of switching patterns
THD of inverter output
line-to-line voltage
Low Order Harmonics

Phase-shifted
Modulation

Level-shifted
Modulation (IPD)

Same for all devices

Different

Same for all devices

Different

No required

Required

Good

Better

No

Yes
(Very low amplitude)

27
Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

EE8407

Topic 6

Multilevel CHB Inverters

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Textbook: Bin Wu, High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Wiley-IEEE Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-471-73171-4

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