A New Single-Source Cascaded Semi-Bridge Inverter Topology Suitable for Distributed Generation Systems

Abstract

This paper proposes a single-source cascaded semi-bridge topology so called SSCSB employing one DC input power source and low-frequency single-phase transformers. SSCSB has a two-stage design that includes an input stage and an output stage. The input stage consists of H-bridge voltage
source converter. In the output stage, there is a converter, which converts the AC voltage from the input stage to AC sinusoidal voltage. This stage consists of series connected semi-bridge inverters units that use single-phase transformers for isolation and voltage transformation. The proposed circuit configuration can reduce a number of switches and DC source compared with traditional cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverters using separate DC source. Furthermore, it is suitable for applications in the area of distributed generation  systems, e. g., solar-cell or fuel-cell in combination with battery energy storage. In this paper, two algorithms for determination of turn’s ratio of transformers and switching have been presented, too. To verify the performance of the proposed approach, computer-aided simulations have been provided using MATLAB/ SIMULINK.

Keywords

• Cascaded semi-bridge, Low frequency transformer, Single DC Source, Distributed Generation

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