Asymptotic time domain evaluation of a multilevel multiphase PWM converter voltage quality

Abstract

Voltage total harmonic distortion and quadratic voltage ripple criteria are accepted figures of merit of a multilevel pulse width modulation (PWM) converter voltage quality. The dominating frequency domain approach does not deliver simple closed-form expressions and practically requires accounting up to 40–50 switching harmonics. Assuming infinitely high switching frequency, suggested time domain approach to a multilevel multiphase PWM voltage quality evaluation provides closed-form piece-wise analytical solutions. These simple formulas clearly reveal the dependence on modulation index for arbitrary voltage level and odd phase numbers. The results are applicable to any type of multilevel converters (including interleaved, open winding and other) operated with nearest level/nearest space vector modulation and relatively high switching frequency.