Flexible Multilevel Boost DC-AC Converter

Ebrahim Babaei, Member, IEEE, Ali Nahavandi

Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Tabriz
Tabriz, Iran
E-mails:e-babaei@tabrizu.ac.ir.ali_nahavandiI362@yahoo.com

Abstract- In this paper, incorporation of mUlti-output boost
(MOB) converter by multilevel inverter is proposed. Renewable
energy sources such as fuel cell and photovoltaic produce low
level of voltage. So to increase the magnitude of the voltage, dc-dc
boost converter is used. Simple control and flexible operation for
generating different number of output with desired voltage level
is the main reason of using MOB converter. In this work, the
outputs of MOB converter are applied as dc-link of multilevel
inverter. Also, a new structure of multilevel inverter which is
compatible with MOB converter is proposed. So by incorporation
of MOB converter with proposed multilevel inverter an
adjustable multilevel ac source is obtained. In fact, by proper
controlling of outputs of MOB converter, the generation of
different levels of voltage in output of multilevel inverter without
any using of additional capacitors or switches is possible. Finally
the operation of double output inverter which is incorporated by
proposed multilevel inverter has been verified by simulation
results using PSCAD/EMTDC software.
Keywords- multi-output boost converter; multilevel inverter; dc-dc
converter.
I. INTRODUCTION
DC-DC converters are widely used in low and high power
applications. Recently, multi-output dc-dc converters have
been employed with multiple inductors, in which, for M output
voltage, M inductors are required [ 1]. As the number of output
voltages increases, the number of required inductors will also
be increased which leads to an increase in the cost and size of
the system. A new structure of single-inductor multiple-output
dc-dc converter has been addressed which is based on buck,
boost and buck-boost topologies [2]. This approach reduces the
number of external bulky components such as inductors and
power switches, leading to decreased cost and losses in the
system.
In this paper, a new single inductor MOB converter
structure of multilevel inverter which is compatible by MOB
converter is proposed. Finally, the operation of new inverter
incorporated by MOB converter in simulation results is
investigated.
II. MULTI-OUTPUT BOOST CONVERTER
A circuit diagram of the N -output boost converter is shown
in Fig. 1 [3]. This circuit consists of a boost
switch S1' N - 1 sharing switches S1 to SN_1' N diodes (D1
to D N), an inductor and N capacitors (C1to CN) with
different loads (R1 to RN)' In the subinterval zero, So is turned
on and the inductor is charged by the current flowing through
it. In the next N subintervals, So is turned off and the S1 to
SN_1 are turned on to charge N -1 capacitors in to the desired
values. When S1 to SN_1 are turned off, the diode DN
conducts the inductor current to charge all C1 to CN to
generate to VN, respectively. D1 to DN_1 are used to block
the negative voltage and provide two quadrant operation of S1
to SN_1'
For example, consider a double-output converter. In a
double-output converter, there are three possible switching
states. The operation of the circuit in three different switching
states has been summarized in Table I. For this converter, the
equivalent circuits of all switching states have been
demonstrated in Fig. 2. From the steady state performance
analyses of the MOB converter the following equations are
derived [4]:
nDVin
v: 1
n (D r + (Do + D1)'2
=

structure with series regulated output voltages is proposed.

Series regulated dc voltages may be required in different low
and high power applications. One of the most interesting
( 1)
applications of this new family of dc-dc converters is the
boosting and regulating the low and variable output voltage of
renewable energy for the dc link of grid connected systems,
based on multilevel inverters. In this paper, the application of
MOB converter in multilevel inverters is proposed. First, the
operation of MOB converter is investigated. Afterward, a new

IEEE Catalog Number: CFP121IJ-ART

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 TABLE L SWITCHING STATES OF DOUBLE-OUTPUT BOOST CONVERTER
Too
( D o + Dl)' =

T States So Sj Cj C1
(Too + TOj) 1 On Off discharge discharge
D'a = (2)
2 Off Off charge charge
T
3 Off On charge discharge
Too + Tal + 7;0 =
T

where T is switching period, n Rj / Rl and Doand Dj

=

III. PROPOSED STRUCTURE OF MULTILEVEL INVERTER

are duty cycle of switches Soand Sj, respectively. The peak-to
peak voltage ripple of output voltages are given by:
The purpose of this paper is using of MOB converter in
multilevel inverter. So a new topology of multilevel inverter is
proposed which is compatible with MOB converter. The
V j LI structure of the proposed topology for two dc sources is shown
= (3)
Vj RjCjVin in Fig. 4(a). The proposed topology in Fig. 4(a) consists of two
capacitor and few switches. In Fig. 5, the switches states for
generating 4-level voltage is shown. The proposed multilevel
V l LI L DjI
=
+ (4) converter can generate only the positive output voltages. The
V1 R1C1Vin Do RZCZVin typical output waveform of Va is shown in Fig. 5. As this
figure shows, the voltage for all time has zero or positive
Where L is inductance, M is current ripple and Rj and values. So to generate both positive and negative output
IS are resistances of loads and Cj and C1 are output voltages, a full-bridge inverter is added to the output terminal
capacitors.Switch So is used to control total voltage, . (Fig4. (b)). The switches r; and 0. are fired together and

(V; + Vz) and switch Sjis used to control V; (voltage ofCj). In conduct for 0 < t T T , the switches r; and Tl are
. At t =

fact to control So, II.re! is defined and with hysteresis band, turned off and the switches 7; and are turned on. Thus, 7;

drive pulses is generated. Error of total voltage and T4 conduct for the duration T < t 2T . For this duration,
(Vr) defines ILre! . Also V;re! is applied to hysteresis control to the direction of VL is opposite to Va. It is clear that both
define gate drive pulses of Sj. In Fig. 3, the flowchart of control switches r; and T4 (or Tl and 7;) cannot tum on
strategy for double output boost is shown. This control scheme simultaneously because of short circuit across the voltage Va
is robust against variation of input voltage. It means that by would be produced.
variation of input voltage, the output voltages remain
unchanged [4].
D2

r
+

C2 R2 v,
.IL L DI

SI +
+
Yin So CI RI VI
CN VN

SN-I
D -I
J
I
I
D2
+
I
I R2 v,
S3 D3
IL L
SI +

Yin So RI VI
CI

D2
+

C2 R2 V2
IL L DI

SI +
Yin
Yin So RI VI
CI

Fig. 1. Configuration of MOB converter Fig. 2. Equivalent circuit in different switching intervals for double output

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 In Fig. 6, the proposed topologies for three and four dc
Vo
sources are shown. It is clear that for any number of dc
sources, the proposed topology can be extended [5]. VdC,J+ VdC.2

Vdc, I

VdC,l

VTREF & V 1 REF Sf

S2
Hysteresis Current Control

No Refrence Current No
Should be 50=0
Modified?
j-4-----'=<

S
t
51=0
i I

Fig. 5. Switches states for generating 4-level of voltage.

Fig. 3. Flowchart of control strategy for double output boost

IV. INCORPORATING MOB AND PROPOSED MULTILEVEL
CONVERTERS

In Fig. 7, incorporation of double-input boost converter

and the proposed multilevel inverter is shown, By this
topology, from a low-level dc voltage a boosted multilevel ac
voltage is obtained. The importance of this topology is where
renewable energy such as photovoltaic is used as input source
of MOB converter. As mentioned in section II, one of the
important advantages of MOB converter is its excellent
dynamic response against the input voltage variation. Such
that by variation in input voltage the desired voltages in output
remains unchanged. This feature of MOB converter is
significant in renewable energy applications which the
(aj
generated level of voltage varies under different atmospheric
condition. On the other hand, it is possible to change the
output voltages of MOB converter to desired voltages by
changing reference voltages of outputs, Therefore, by
incorporating MOB and multilevel inverter, an adjustable
multilevel ac voltage is obtained.
As mentioned before, by choosing the desired voltage as
output reference, the MOB converter tracks the reference
accurately, Therefore, by changing reference voltage in
specific times it is possible to reach to more levels of voltage
without any need to additional dc link or switch. For example,
in double-output boost converter, two values for voltage of
(bj
each capacitor are considered, in some moment 1'; 1OOV , =

Fig. 4. The proposed topology for two dc sources. V2 =

50V , and in other moments 1'; =
200V , V2 =
50V .

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 Va

)50
)00150

loills l l
I?/ifl'cllces
!
VolltIgc 0/,\101
II i !

.,i V1 I

ri
"I.,!
;
; ; ; ; f..- f..- '
,

S3 I
+
(a) (b)
I
! I

Fig. 6. Extended structure of proposed topology for (a) three dc sources,(b)

four dc sources.

D2 SI Fig. 8. Switches states for generating 7-level of voltage.

N
> C2
V. SIMULATION RESULTS

The simulation results are obtained by PSCAD/EMTDC

IL
..
DI I S2 software [6]. Initially, the operation of double-output boost
converter which previously shown in Fig. 2 is investigated. In

I tn{
simulations, L ImH, C1 C1 O.ImF, Vm lOOV and the
== == == ==

SJ > reference of total output voltage (ref) is considered 300V.

CI To show the ability of the system to control the mid-point
TI

1
so
Fig. 7. Incorporation of double-input boost converter and the proposed
multilevel inverter.
So, 1 1 level of voltage are achieved in output of inverter.
Fig. 8 shows the states of switches under this condition.
Consequently, without any additional cost for dc-link or
switch, II-level of voltage are obtained. In fact, there is short
time delay in tracking reference voltage by MOB converter. In
Fig. 9, the reference and actual output voltages of MOB
converter are shown. On the other hand, as obvious from Fig.
8 with increasing the number of voltage levels, time duration
of each level decreases. So under this condition, the proposed
multilevel inverter cannot produce some voltage levels
accurately. Consequently, fast controller must apply to solve
this problem.
TJ
voltage (T-";), T-";ref has been set to 200 V which is twice the
input voltage. In Fig. 10, the simulation result for such a
condition is shown. It is obvious that the output voltages track
the reference voltages exactly. As mentioned previously,
MOB converter is controlled in such a way that is robust
against input voltage variation. Fig. 1 1 shows the output
voltages of double-output converter under input voltage
variation from 100V to 125V on t 0.42 sec . It is clear from
==
this figure that by increase of the input voltage, the output
voltages has been unchanged. The output voltages ripples are
decreased which verifies (2) and (3).
Afterward, the proposed multilevel inverter which is
incorporated by double-input dc-dc boost converter is
simulated. In Fig. 12, the output voltage of the proposed
multilevel inverter is shown. As seen from this figure, 7-level
of voltage are obtained. In fact, from a low level dc voltage, a
boosted 7-level ac voltage is achieved. The switches state of
the proposed multilevel inverter under this condition is shown
in Fig. 13. It is important to know that by tuning the outputs of
double-output boost converter as inputs of multilevel inverter,
the output voltage of multilevel is adjustable.

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 250
10 V1rel In fact, by incorporation double-output converter and
multilevel inverter, a flexible multilevel ac voltage is available
225
which its peak and voltage of each level is adjustable. The
simulation results for n output of MOB converter and
200
175
extended structure of the proposed multilevel inverter is
150
similar to what is done for double-output converter.
125
" - " -
100 .
75
50 400
25
200 rh. r 1.
0
I I I I I I I I
r

:.,1-J :, -I-r
0.200 0.250 0.300 0.350 0400 0.450 0.500 0.550 o

200
Fig. 9. The reference and actual output Voltage.
400

600
lio V2
220

200

100
160
Fig. 12. output voltage of proposed multilevel inverter incorporated by
140 double-output boost converter.
120
100
00
60
40
I I I I I
O.oo+-+-+-i-t--HHH-t-l-l-+-+-+-t--+-f--f--+
-i
0.1700 0.1750 0.1000 0.1850 0.19ll
0.60+ -+-+-t--t--t--It--It--I--t--t-t
-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-t--1

Fig. 10. Output voltages of double-output boost

converter.
0.4O+
- +-+--t--t--It--I1--I--t--t-t-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-1

Ic:.V1 ______r-__-'____,,____r-__-'____
203.0,-
0.2O+ -+-+-i-t--HHH-t-l-l-+-+-+-t-
-+-+-f--/--i

204.0-l-----+----+---t-
020
202.0 -1----+-----+---f-
I I I I

0 23s0 0.2400 0.2450 0.2500 0.2550 0.2600

2OO.0 -+--+--
Fig. 13. Switches states for generating 7-level of voltage in output of the
100.0 -1----+-----+---f- proposed multilevel inverter.

193.0-l-----+----+---t-
Now without any change in structure of double-output and
I
194.0 proposed inverter and just by proper adjustment of output
O.E
t i I I I I I

0.340 0.300 0.400 0.420 0.440 0.460 0.400 voltages of double-output, more levels of voltage in output of
inverter are accessible. According to Fig. 10, by proper
400
E V2 controlling of reference voltages in specific moments, reach to
II-level of voltage is possible. First V;ref 100V , ref 150V = =

350 +-----+----+--f---
and then V;ref =
200V , ref =
250V , so with appropriate
3OO +-----+----+--f---
250+-----+--+--f---
control of switches these levels of voltage is obtainable: -
250Y,-200Y, -I50Y, -IOOY, -50Y, OY, 50Y, IOOY, 150Y,
2OO+-----+----+--f---
200Y, 250Y. Fig. 14 shows the simulation results under such a
150+-----+--+--t--- condition. It is seen from this figure that some of levels is not
1oo ----*------------------- accurately constructed. This is because of delay in response of
5O +-----+------+-----+------f------+--- double-output boost converter to the change of references.
Consequently, by incorporating of MOB converter and the
I I I I I I I proposed multilevel inverter and by proper controlling of
0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.00
switches and proper adjustment of reference voltages, reach to
more number of voltage levels without using of additional
Fig. II. Output voltages of double output converter under input voltage switches and capacitors is obtained. Also, in this approach the
variation from 100V to 125V on t = 0.42 sec peak and voltage of each level is adjustable. In fact, by using

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this configuration from a low level dc source (for example
renewable energy) a flexible ac voltage source with less total
harmonic distortion ( THD) is obtained.
200 ,----_+-- _+------_+-- _+------
100,-----1 t----------+_ -- -+_------
O+-------------------+r------
200 .-,.--+----
. ---\-- -'\=1"1,---1---+-- "==1"1.--1
.lX)
i i i i
0.040 OOCQ O.OC() 0.070
Fig. 14. Generation of II-level of voltage in output of multilevel converter by
proper controlling of double output converter.
VI. CONCLUSION
In this paper, the application of dc-dc MOB converter as a
dc-link of multilevel inverter is discussed. Due to good
dynamic response against input voltage variation, the
converter outputs can track their references regardless of input
voltage variation. Also a new structure of multilevel inverter is
IEEE Catalog Number: CFP121IJ-ART
ISBN: 978-1-4673-0113-8/12/$31.00 2012 IEEE
investigated that is compatible with MOB converter. Finally,
by incorporation of MOB converter with proposed multilevel
inverter, an adjustable multilevel ac voltage is obtained. In
fact, by proper controlling of outputs of MOB converter,
generation of different levels of voltage in output of multilevel
inverter is obtained. So by using low level dc sources (such as
fuel cell, photovoltaic ... ) in the input of incorporated structure
a flexible boosted multilevel ac voltage is obtained which the
number of levels and peak of voltage are adjustable. In fact, by
proper controlling of incorporated configuration without any
extra cost of additional capacitors or switches more number of
voltage levels is accessible.
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[I] K. Wing-Hung and M. Dongsheng, "Single-inductor multiple output
switching converters," in ProG. IEEE PESC, 2001,pp. 226-231.
[2] D. Trevisan, P. Mattavelli, and P. Tenti, "Digital control of single
inductor double-output DC-DC converters in continuous conduction
mode," in Proc. IEEE PESC,2005,pp. 2616-2622.
[3 ] M. Dongsheng, K. Wing-Hung, T .Chi-Ying, and P.K.T. Mok, "Single
inductor multiple-output switching converters with time multiplexing
control in discontinuous conduction mode," IEEE Solid-State Circuits,
vol. 38,no. I,pp. 89-100,2003.
[4] A. Nami, F. Zare, A. Ghosh, and F. Blaabjerg, "Multi-output DC-DC
Converter Based on diod-c1amped Converters Configuration: Topology
and Control Strategy," lET Power Electronics,vol. 3,no. 2,pp. 197-208,
2010.
[5] E. Babaei, "A cascade multilevel converter topology with reduced
number of switches," IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 23, no. 6, pp.
2657-2664, Nov. 2008.
[6] PSCAD/EMTDC Y3.0.8, Power System Simulation software User_
Manual, Manitoba HYDC Research Center, Canada.
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