Design, Control, and Analysis of a Novel Grid-Interfaced Switched-Boost Dual T-Type Five-Level Inverter With Common-Ground Concept

Multilevel inverters with a common-ground (CG) structure and voltage step-up feature are beneficial for transformerless grid-connected photovoltaic applications. The aim of this study is to present a novel topology of such converters with a five-level output voltage generation. The proposed topology comprises of an integrated switched-boost (SB) module and a dual T-Type (D2T) cell constructed with 10 power switches (six unidirectional and two bi-directional). An inductor in the integrated SB module is used to boost the voltage across two involved capacitors of the D2T cell. Therefore, a desirable ac voltage magnitude for the grid-connected application can be achieved over a wide range of input voltage changes. Current stress is also kept within a permissible input current range by the soft-charging operation of the involved capacitors through the inductor. A corresponding dead-beat continuous-current-control-set controller with a sinusoidal PWM modulator is implemented for controlling the real and reactive powers. The controller has an added benefit of achieving constant switching frequency for power switches. Circuit description, theoretical analyses, and comparative study are discussed. Simulation and experimental results are also presented to confirm the feasibility and correctness of the proposed topology.