Conditional Nearest Level Modulation for Improved Switching Dynamics in Asymmetric Multilevel Converters

Fuente: arXiv
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Autori principali: Zhang, Jinshui, Peterchev, Angel V, Goetz, Stefan M
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
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author Zhang, Jinshui
Peterchev, Angel V
Goetz, Stefan M
author_facet Zhang, Jinshui
Peterchev, Angel V
Goetz, Stefan M
contents Modular multilevel converters have promising applications in clean energy, electric vehicles, and biomedical instrumentation, but need many modules to achieve fine output granularity, particularly of the voltage. Asymmetric multilevel circuits introduce differences in module voltages so that the quantity of output levels grows exponentially with the number of modules. Nearest-level modulation (NLM) is preferred over carrier-based methods in asymmetric circuits for its simplicity. However, the large number of output levels can overwhelm NLM and cause excessive transistor switching on some modules and output voltage spikes. We propose a conditional nearest-level modulation (cNLM) by incorporating mathematical penalty models to regulate switching dynamics. This approach improves output quality and reduces switching rates. Additionally, we present cNLM variations tailored for specific functions, such as enforcing a minimum switching interval. Experimental validation on an asymmetric multilevel prototype demonstrates that cNLM reduces the total output distortion from 66.3% to 15.1% while cutting the switching rate to just 8% of the original NLM.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2509_14402
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Conditional Nearest Level Modulation for Improved Switching Dynamics in Asymmetric Multilevel Converters
Zhang, Jinshui
Peterchev, Angel V
Goetz, Stefan M
Signal Processing
Modular multilevel converters have promising applications in clean energy, electric vehicles, and biomedical instrumentation, but need many modules to achieve fine output granularity, particularly of the voltage. Asymmetric multilevel circuits introduce differences in module voltages so that the quantity of output levels grows exponentially with the number of modules. Nearest-level modulation (NLM) is preferred over carrier-based methods in asymmetric circuits for its simplicity. However, the large number of output levels can overwhelm NLM and cause excessive transistor switching on some modules and output voltage spikes. We propose a conditional nearest-level modulation (cNLM) by incorporating mathematical penalty models to regulate switching dynamics. This approach improves output quality and reduces switching rates. Additionally, we present cNLM variations tailored for specific functions, such as enforcing a minimum switching interval. Experimental validation on an asymmetric multilevel prototype demonstrates that cNLM reduces the total output distortion from 66.3% to 15.1% while cutting the switching rate to just 8% of the original NLM.
title Conditional Nearest Level Modulation for Improved Switching Dynamics in Asymmetric Multilevel Converters
topic Signal Processing
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.14402