Voltage source Multilevel Inverters (MLIs) are vital components for medium voltage and high-power applications due to their advantages like modularity and better power quality. However, the number of components used is significant. In this paper, an improved asymmetrical multilevel inverter topology is proposed producing 17-levels output voltage utilizing two dc sources. The circuit is developed to reduce the number of isolated dc-sources used without reducing output levels. The circuit utilizes six two-quadrant switches, three four-quadrant switches and four capacitors. The capacitors are self-balancing and do not require extra attention, i.e. the control system is simple for the proposed MLI. Detailed analysis of the topology under linear and non-linear loading conditions is carried out. Comparison with other similar topologies shows that the proposed topology is superior in device count, power quality, Total Standing Voltage (TSV), and cost factor. The performance of the topology is validated for different load conditions through MATLAB/Simulink environment and the prototype developed in the laboratory. Furthermore, thermal analysis of the circuit is done, and the losses are calculated via PLECS software. The topology offers a total harmonic distortion (THD) of 4.79% in the output voltage, with all the lower order harmonics being less than 5% complying with the IEEE standards.

This paper presents an improved Multi-level Inverter topology utilizing the concept of boosting-capacitor and two DC sources with reduced switches count for generating 17level output. The topology employs 10 unidirectional switches including one bidirectional switch. Comparison with other recent topologies shows that the proposed topology employs a reduced number of devices and better performance. The topology combines the modularity of H-Bridge with the boosting capacity of the switched capacitor topology. Special care is taken while designing the switching strategy for voltage balancing of the capacitors. The authors also have generalized the topology to produce 'n' level output. Relevant expressions are also formed and reported. Experimental validation, as well as simulation, is performed, and results are verified. Nearest level control is used as the modulation technique.

In this paper, a new single-phase multilevel inverter is introduced with a reduced number of power switches and reduced voltage stress on power switches. The proposed topology consists of four input dc sources and nine semiconductor switches (eight unidirectional and one bidirectional switch). The topology can be used for asymmetrical voltage source configuration to generate seventeen voltage levels. The extended topology is constructed by a series connection of the topology circuit to produce higher voltage levels with less voltage stress on the switches without modifying the existing structure. Comparison is made with traditional and recently introduced topologies based on the number of power switches, dc sources, total blocking voltage of switches, and gate driver circuits, to prove the proposed topology's superiority. A simple nearest level modulation has been deployed as the switching scheme. Validation on the viability of the proposed topology has been carried out through simulation and hardware experimental setup. INDEX TERMS Asymmetrical configuration; modular multilevel inverter (MLI); nearest level control (NLC); total harmonics distortion (THD)