Single-Phase Multicell AC–DC Converter With Optimized Controller and Passive Filter Parameters

This paper presents a novel single-phase multicell converter for ac-dc power conversion, which is formed by a series connection of several full-bridge converter stages through passive components. The proposed topology employs a simple control scheme based on the carrier-based sinusoidal pulsewidth modulation technique. Detailed design procedure of the passive filter components are analyzed and discussed. An efficient optimization method based on a differential evolution algorithm is utilized to optimize the filter parameters. Considering the filter structure, active damping is introduced in the control scheme to improve the stability of the overall system, which is later verified by experiments. The systematic design approach of the controller parameter is also highlighted, focusing a specific set of goals. Experimental results for a 1-kW prototype are presented to further validate the concept.