A 6X-Voltage-Gain 13-Level Inverter With Self-Balanced Switched-Capacitors

In this work, a 13-level inverter is proposed based on the switched-capacitor (SC) technique. The proposed topology (PT) consists of thirteen power switches, four capacitors, and two diodes and achieves a voltage gain of six. The circuit design, operation, and power losses analysis of the PT are described in detail. The most significant features of the PT include: capacitors' voltages are inherently self-balanced, high voltage gain, low component count per level, and ability to supply an inductive load. A simple logic-based multicarrier pulse width modulation technique has been utilized to control the switching operation. More importantly, the overall merit of the PT in terms of the cost function is established using a comparative study with the prior art topologies. Finally, simulation and experimental results have been presented for a rated output of 1.4 kW to validate the performance of the PT at steady-state and dynamic conditions.