Multi Carrier based Multilevel Inverter with Minimal Harmonic Distortion

International Journal of Power Electronics and Drive System (IJPEDS)
Vol. 6, No. 2, June 2015, pp. 356~361
ISSN: 2088-8694  356
Journal homepage: http://iaesjournal.com/online/index.php/IJPEDS
Multi Carrier based Multilevel Inverter with Minimal
Harmonic Distortion
V. Jamuna, J. Gayathri Monicka
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Jerusalem College of Engineering, Centre for Collaborative
Research with Anna University
Article Info ABSTRACT
Article history:
Received Dec 15, 2014
Revised Mar 14, 2015
Accepted Apr 12, 2015
This paper presents performance features of Asymmetric Cascaded
Multilevel inverter. Multilevel inverters are commonly modulated by using
multicarrier pulse width modulation (MCPWM) techniques such as phase-
shifted multicarrier modulation and level-shifted multicarrier modulation.
Amongst these, level-shifted multicarrier modulation technique produces the
best harmonic performance. This work studies about multilevel inverter with
unequal DC sources using level shifting MCPWM technique. The
Performances indices like Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), number of
switches and DC Sources are considered. A procedure to achieve an
appropriate level shifting is also presented is this paper.
Keyword:
Asymmetric
Cascade
Multicarrier PWM
Multilevel inverter
Total harmonic distortion Copyright © 2015 Institute of Advanced Engineering and Science.
All rights reserved.
Corresponding Author:
J. Gayathri Monicka,
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering,
Jerusalem College of Engineering, Anna University,
Narayanapuram, Pallikaranai, Chennai 600100, India.
Email: monigaya2002@yahoo.com
1. INTRODUCTION
The multilevel inverter has introduced the solution to increase the converter output voltage above
the voltage limits of classical semiconductors. It finds its application mainly in industries such as AC power
supplies, static VAR compensators, drive systems, etc. A new hybrid asymmetric multilevel inverter was
introduced where 27 levels is obtained with minimum number of switches. This achieves a better sinusoidal
output [1]. One of the significant advantages of multilevel configuration is the harmonic reduction in the
output waveform without increasing switching frequency or decreasing the inverter power output [2]. The
output voltage waveform of a multilevel inverter is composed of the number of levels of voltages, typically
obtained from capacitor voltage sources. The so-called multilevel starts from three levels. As the number of
levels reach infinity, the output THD approaches zero [3]. The multilevel inverters are basically classified
into three topologies, they are as follows, the flying capacitor inverter, the diode clamped inverter and the
cascaded H-bridge inverter. All the topologies have same property of reducing the harmonics [4]-[6].
Cascaded inverter has the disadvantage that it needs separate DC sources but the circuit layout is compact
and voltage sharing problem is absent. Due to these advantages, the cascaded inverter bridge has been widely
applied to such applications as HVDC, SVC, stabilizer, high power motor drive and so on [7], [8]. The
various modulation strategies have been introduced for the cascaded multi level inverters inorder to reduce
the harmonic contents [9]. Multilevel inverters with their topologies were introduced. Of all the topologies
cascaded has many advantages when compared with diode clamped and capacitor clamped inverter [10] [11].
A further study on cascaded multilevel inverters was performed in order to highlight the advantage
of cascaded multilevel inverter when compared with the other topologies and the switching characteristics
sare analysed. The concept of sinusoidal PWM modulation was introduced in an attempt to reduce the

 ISSN: 2088-8694
IJPEDS Vol. 6, No. 2, June 2015 : 356 – 361
357
harmonic contents at the output voltage. Level shifted modulation technique gives better result compared
with the phase shifted. Level shifting is done to reduce the harmonics at the output voltage [12]-[14]. This
paper will investigate a control technique applied to the Hybrid asymmetric cascaded multi-level inverter in
order to ensure an efficient voltage utilization and better harmonic spectrum. Level shifting is a well-
established emerging modulation and control techniques has been designed and discussed. The level shifting
methods have been introduced and results were presented.
2. HYBRID MULTILEVEL INVERTER
The structure introduced in this work is an Asymmetric cascaded multilevel inverter, which uses
unequal DC Sources. The general function of this multilevel inverter is the same as that of the other two
inverters. The multilevel inverter using Asymmetric cascaded-inverter provides a large number of output
voltage levels without increasing the number of full bridge units. This configuration provides higher voltage
at higher modulation frequency due to which the topology can be employed for high power applications. Due
to the reduction in the number of DC Sources employed, the structure becomes more reliable and the output
voltage has higher resolution due to increased number of steps. This configuration recently becomes very
popular in AC power supply and adjustable speed drive applications. This inverter can avoid extra clamping
diodes or voltage balancing capacitors [4]. An Asymmetric cascaded H-bridge inverter circuit is shown in
Figure 1.
Figure 1. Structure of ternary voltage cascaded multilevel inverter
Table 1. Switching state for positive voltage
V S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12
1 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1
2 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1
3 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1
4 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1
5 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0
6 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0
7 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0
8 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0
9 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0
10 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0
11 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0
12 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0
13 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0
DC Supply
Controller
Load
H-Bridge-I
H-Bridge-II
H-Bridge-III

IJPEDS ISSN: 2088-8694 
Multi Carrier based Multilevel Inverter with Minimal Harmonic Distortion (J. Gayathri Monicka)
358
In this proposed model trinary DC voltages progressions of unequal DC sources of ACMLI are
used. This is most popular of unequal voltage progression with amplitude of DC voltage having ratio
1:3:9:27; 81....3N and the maximum output voltage reach to ((3N-1)/2) Vdc. ACHB consist of 3-bridges is
used to generate 27 level output for the DC Sources of 9:3:1 ratio. The output waveform 27 levels as +13Vdc
…. +1Vdc and zero. By different combinations of the 12 switches, S1-S12, each inverter level can generate
three different voltage outputs, +Vdc, -Vdc and zero. Let the output of H bridge-1 is denoted as V1 (t), the
output of H bridge-2 is denoted as V2 (t) and H bridge-3 is denoted as V3(t). Hence the output voltage is given
by
V (t) = V1 (t) + V2 (t) + V3 (t) (1)
Switching states are developed for positive, negative and zero voltages as per the patterns given in
the switching Table 1. The generated gate pulses are given to each switch in accordance with the developed
pattern and thus the output is obtained.
3. MULTICARRIER BASED MODULATION METHODS
Pulse Width Modulation refers to a method of carrying information on a train of pulses, the
information is encoded in the width of each pulse. This technique helps in maintaining a constant voltage.
A modulation strategy for multilevel inverters is given in Figure 2. In the carrier-based multilevel
modulation, each level in a phase requires a carrier of its own. Carrier- based modulation schemes are
mainly divided into two categories: level-shifted (LSPWM) and phase-shifted (PSPWM) methods. Both of
these have several variations, which differ by the allocation of module carriers with respect to each other.
Figure 2. Modulation strategies for multilevel inverters
In all level-shifted PWM methods, the carriers of the modules have a frequency of f car = 1/Tsw
where the frequency of the carrier signal is inversely proportional to the switching period of the device (The
range of the f car is selected between 10 kHz to 100kHz). The reference voltage, on the other hand, can have
values of the range −MVdc and MVdc. To cover the whole voltage range, the carriers are the triangular
waves with same phase and peak to peak amplitude and arranged vertically, so that the carrier of the first
module covers the range from zero to Vdc, while the second covers the range from Vdc to 2Vdc. The
last module covers the voltage from (M−1)Vdc to MVdc.This method are generally used in CMLI as it gives
reduced THD. Therefore, an inverter with M- modules in series is usually referred to as an n-level inverter
and the number of levels can be calculated as given in Equation (2).
n = 2M + 1 (2)
There are three kinds of level shifted modulation techniques namely; Phase Opposition Disposition
(POD), Alternative Phase Opposition Disposition (APOD), Phase Disposition (PD). In the phase opposition
disposition (POD) the carriers above the reference point, are out of phase with those below zero, by 180
degree. In the alternative phase opposition disposition (APOD), the carriers of adjacent bands are phase
shifted by 180 degree. In the phase disposition (PD), all the carriers are in phase across all the bands. This
gives rise to the lowest harmonic in the higher modulation indices, when compared to the other disposition

 ISSN: 2088-8694
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methods. The level shifted multicarrier modulation offers better harmonic attenuation, but also offers an
unequal device condition.
4. RESULT AND DISCUSSIONS
The feasibility of the proposed PWM strategy has been investigated and verified through simulation
results, for both multilevel inverter and multi carrier PWM inverter, for a twenty seven level cascaded
asymmetric H-Bridge inverter. The proposed technique for a twenty seven levels inverter with asymmetric
DC sources involves the usage of only three DC cells. The voltages are given in the ratio of 9:3:1 with which
a twenty seven level can be achieved with only three DC sources. The simulink model for a twenty seven
level MLI is shown in Figure 3 they are created with a separate subsystem. The pulses are generated with the
developed pattern and given to the corresponding switches via the subsystems. The 27 level output voltage is
shown in Figure 4(a). Higher the level, the harmonics are reduced to greater extent. To determine the
harmonics in the proposed circuit, the FFT analysis is performed which is shown in Figure 4(b).
This is the logical extension of the sine triangle PWM multilevel inverter, in which n-1 carriers are
needed for an n-level inverter. The preferred type is Phase disposition. The carriers are arranged in vertical
shifts in continuous bands defined by the levels of the inverter. Each carrier has the same frequency and
amplitude. An n-level inverter using level shifted multicarrier modulation scheme requires (n-1) triangular
carriers, all having same frequency and peak to peak amplitude, hence for 27-level inverter, 26 carriers are
used. Modulation is generally performed in any circuit to reduce the harmonic content at the output voltage.
The harmonic content after modulation is analysed by the FFT spectrum shown in Figure 5(a), and 5(b)
respectively. It is clear from the FFT analysis that the harmonics are reduced to a greater extent after
modulation. The variations of the harmonic content present at the output voltage before and after modulation
are clearly seen from the FFT spectrum.
Figure 3. Simulink model of Asymmetric multicarrier PWM inverter
With the same circuit the other modulations are also performed. Variations are only with the
multicarrier that has been generated. Only difference is with the carriers that has been generated inside the
subsystems for both positive and negative cycles. The main circuit model remains the same for the other two
modulations. Also their FFT analysis is performed to analyse the harmonics. A comparative study has been
made to demonstrate the superiority of the Asymmetric cascaded multi level inverter over symmetric MLI
and presented in Table 2. From the table it is observed that for the same number of bridges, switches,
asymmetric MLI provides more number of levels. From the FFT analysis it is observed that the total
harmonic distortion content at output waveform for 27 level inverter is found to be quite high and it does not
meet to international IEEE standard. So to reduce the THD content further, multicarrier PWM technique is
introduced Aymmetric Cascaded MLI.

IJPEDS ISSN: 2088-8694 
Multi Carrier based Multilevel Inverter with Minimal Harmonic Distortion (J. Gayathri Monicka)
360
It is found that THD is considerably reduced after modulation is being performed. From the
previous work it is known that the PD technique produces fewer harmonic on a line-to-line basis compared to
the other two techniques because it puts harmonic energy directly into a common mode carrier component
which cancels across the line-to-line outputs [2]. THD content is reduced by applying modulation scheme.
From the comparison made between different modulation schemes, PD Technique proved to be the best
modulation techniques compared to the other modulation techniques.
(a) (b)
Figure 4. (a) Simulated output waveforms of Asymmetric Multilevel inverter
(b) Harmonics Spectrum of output voltage waveform
(a) (b)
Figure 5. (a) Output voltage of PD modulation; (b) Harmonic spectrum of Output voltage (PD)
Table 2. Comparison of Asymmetric Multilevel inverter with and without modulation
Parameters Symmetric MLI Asymmetric MLI
Without
Modulation
Level Shifted
Modulation
Without
Modulation
Level Shifted
Modulation
Number of switches 12 12 12 12
Number of DC Sources 3 3 3 3
Fundamental voltage 42.47 50.12 44.18 51.69
h3 9.24 6.41 11.18 0.17
h5 2.04 1.03 4.07 0.24
h7 3.79 1.60 2.12 0.23
h9 3.83 0.17 1.31 0.83
Distortion factor(DF1) 0.122432 0.012843 0.0596 0.012835
Distortion factor(DF2) 0.023249 0.018015 0.0122 0.00137
THD% 25.09 18.89 9.66 4.8
5. CONCLUSION
Optimal switching strategy of multicarrier for Hybrid Asymmetric Multi Level Inverter has been
presented. Simulink models for various level shifting methods like PD and APOD are presented. The
behaviour of hybrid multi level inverter is presented with and without implementing Multicarrier strategy.
Asymmetric MLI Topology uses reduced number of DC sources thus decreasing the complexity and the cost
of the circuit. Moreover, this approach enables to obtain a twenty seven-level conversion with only three dc
bus levels. This reduces the cost and offers the more number of levels at the output with a least number of
0 0.02 0.04 0.06
-100
-50
0
50
100
Time
Voltage(V)
0 10 20
0
5
x 10
-3
Harmonic order
Fundamental (50Hz) = 51.69 , THD= 4.8%
Mag(%ofFundamental)

 ISSN: 2088-8694
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primary devices and DC voltage sources. The results for both of the techniques are then compared against
various performance indices. From the comparison, it is observed the THD obtained with MCPWM Inverter
is lesser than the MLI. By increasing the number of steps, waveform approaches the desired sinusoidal shape
and THD is reduced to IEEE standard. Proposed work can be extended to three phase and the same can be
realised in hardware to drive high power motors such as PMBLDC motors and so on.
REFERENCES
[1] K. Ramani, et al., “New hybrid 27 level multilevel inverter fed induction motor drive”, International Journal of
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[2] Carrara et al., “A new multilevel PWM method: A theoretical analysis”, IEEE Trans.Power Electron, vol. 7, pp.
497–505, 1992.
[3] Thoegersen et al., “Improved modulation techniques for PWM- drives”, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron, Vol. 44, pp.
87–95, 1997.
[4] Loh et al., “Implementation and control of distributed PWM cascaded multilevel inverters with minimal harmonic
distortion and common-mode voltage”, IEEE Trans. Power Electron, vol. 20, pp. 90–99, 2005.
[5] Chetanya Gupta et al., “Harmonic Analysis of Seven and Nine Level Cascade Multilevel Inverter using Multi-
Carrier PWM Technique”, International Journal of Power Electronics and Drive System, Vol 5, No 1, 2014.
[6] Gnana Prakash et al., “A New Multilevel Inverter with Reduced Number of Switches”, International Journal of
Power Electronics and Drive System, Vol 5, No 1, 2014
[7] Czarkowski et al., “Multilevel selectiveharmonic elimination PWM technique in series-connected voltage
inverters”, in Proc. Industry Applications Annu. Meeting, pp. 1454-1461, 1998.
[8] Grath et al., “Multicarrier PWM strategies for multilevel inverters”, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron, vol. 49, pp. 858–
867, 2002.
[9] J. Rodr´ıguez et al., “Multilevel inverters: A survey of topologies, controls and applications”, IEEE Trans. Ind.
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[10] M. Malinowski et al., “A survey on cascaded multilevel inverters”, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron, vol. 57, pp. 2197–
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[12] M.S.A. Dahidah et al., “Single carrier sinusoidal PWM equivalent selective harmonic elimination for a five level
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BIBLIOGRAPHIES OF AUTHORS
V. Jamuna is Professor in Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department, Jerusalem
College of Engineering, India. She received her B.E. degree in Electrical & Electronics
Engineering in 1999, M.E. degree in Power Electronics and Drives in 2005 and PhD from Anna
University in 2010. She has secured fifth university rank in P.G degree. She has 15 years of
teaching experience. She has published over 90 technical papers in national and international
conferences proceedings/journals. Her research interest includes Drives and Neural Networks.
E.Mail: jamuna_22@yahoo.com
J. Gayathri Monicka is currently pursuing her Ph.D in Electrical & Electronics Engineering, at
Jerusalem college of Engineering, Anna university, Chennai. She received her B.E. degree in
Electrical & Electronics Engineering in 2002, M.E. degree in Power Electronics and Drives in
2007. She has 8 years of teaching experience. She has published over 8 technical papers in
national and international conferences proceedings / journals.
E.Mail: monigaya2002@yahoo.com

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