Single DC-Sourced 9-level DC/AC Topology as Transformerless

Power Interface for Renewable Sources

Abstract: This paper introduces an advanced transformerless multilevel hybrid-conversion

topology intended for the interconnection of renewable DC sources at small-scale.
The most important contribution presented in this paper is the generation of two isolated
DC sources from a single DC source without the use of any type of transformer. The DC
sources feed a nine-level DC/AC hybrid cascade multilevel converter. This advanced
topology is achieved by redesigning the conventional DC/DC Buck topology, attached to
the multilevel converter, and embedding a suitable switching strategy along with a
Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)-based control. The advantages of the proposed
structure, when compared to other proposals in the literature, are higher efficiency, reduced
number of power switches, and high power density derived of transformerless characteristic.
As a way to highlight differences and advantages of this converter over other options
recently available in the literature, this paper carries out a quantitative evaluation comparing
the number of voltage levels and the number of elements involved in the structure of
DC/AC multilevel converters. The mathematical model and control strategy of the
converter are explained and analyzed by means of simulations. Finally experimental
results, obtained from a laboratory-scale prototype, show the performance of the system
and demonstrate its relative advantages.

Keywords: multilevel converters; buck converter; cascaded cells; transformerless; micro-

grids; FPGA control
1. Introduction

Today, the power electronics converters are one of the essential elements for electrical energy
transformation and interconnection of renewable DC power sources to today’s electrical power grids.
On the pursuit of modernization of distribution networks, the participation of novel power-
electronics technologies is required. These technologies, mainly based on DC/AC topologies, require
continuous improvements in features, such as higher efficiency, higher power density, controllability
and reduction of total voltage and current harmonic distortion [1]. These features can be met by the
implementation of DC/AC multilevel converters.
The multilevel converters have gained widespread acceptance for medium and high voltage
applications [2]. The main advantages of DC/AC multilevel converters are: (i) low harmonic distortion
at the output voltage; (ii) low voltage stress on their switching devices; and (iii) operation at low
switching frequencies [3]. The multilevel converters were initially engaged in high voltage grids and
power train applications but afterwards these were included in renewable energy converters as part of
utility-scale plants, in which they are still largely employed [4,5].
In small scale, or residential applications, there are several well-known disadvantages regarding the
use of transformers for DC/AC converters such as: size, weight and frequency limitation. Due these
limiting factors, there is a growing interest in developing cutting-edge efficient and flexible
transformerless topologies. The high number of voltage levels of DC/AC converters greatly helps to
minimize the total harmonic distortion of the current injected into the electrical grid and to reduce the
size of Inductor-Capacitor (LC filters).
A comparison of characteristics among various recently proposed DC/AC multilevel converters—
based on a single DC source—is shown in Table 1. These converters are mainly proposed for
renewable power sources applications in which the power flows unidirectional from a DC source to the
AC power grid [6–15].
It is noticeable in Table 1 that the elimination of the galvanic isolation is a relevant topic for new
designs of DC/AC multilevel topologies. Therefore, the techniques presented in [8] and [15], are not
considered as a viable option compared to transformerless techniques, such as the ones in [6,7,9–14].
Specifically, in [15], the voltage waveform is constructed with four H-Bridges, 16 Insulate-Gate
bipolar transistor(IGBT), and four line-frequency transformers (50 or 60 Hz). The square-shaped
voltage fed to all four transformers involves the presence of harmonics. This condition stresses the
transformers and increases significantly losses due to the skin effect. Out of [8] and [15], most of the
proposals analyzed in Table 1 have output voltage waveforms with fewer than nine levels [7–14].
From other point of view, the technique shown in [8] has some advantages over the one in [15].
For instance, the former uses only one transformer. However, this feature can be considered a disadvantage
if compared to [7,11,12,14]. This is because the latter proposals have the same number of voltage
levels (seven) than the one in [8] but without using any transformer. Moreover, it should be noted that
proposals in [9–14] perform the balancing of DC voltages by means of its multilevel modulation
scheme, in which the charge and discharge of its capacitors is defined by angles and switching tables.
The topologies shown in [16] and [17] need more than one DC source at input. These options are in
disadvantage, compared to those presented in Table 1, because they need extra circuitry for the
purpose of implementing multiple DC voltages from a single DC source.
 Table 1. Comparison for recent proposal DC/AC multilevel converters based on single DC source.
No. No. No. No. No. No.
Publications Year
Levels Transformers IGBTs Capacitors Inductors Diodes
Proposed Topology 2014 9 0 12 2 2 4
[6] 2014 9 0 11 3 1 4
[7] 2014 7 0 10 4 1 0
[8] 2014 7 1 8 3 2 5
[9] 2013 5 0 8 1 0 0
[10] 2012 5 0 8 2 0 0
[11] 2011 7 0 7 4 1 10
[12] 2011 7 0 14 3 1 11
[13] 2009 5 0 8 1 0 0
[14] 2009 7 0 8 1 0 0
[15] 2009 9 4 9 0 0 0

Moreover, the technique presented in [6] shows an acceptable performance in the task of generating
a nine-level voltage waveform, free of transformers. It also requires only one power source and a
floating capacitor, similar to [9]. However, this technique uses two cascaded cells and three extra
semiconductor switches. In addition, this proposal implements a rather complex algorithm to support it
operation, making it difficult for applications in grid-integrated renewable energies environments.
This paper introduces a novel hybrid multilevel conversion topology. This structure puts together
two modified basic topologies, a DC/DC Buck converter and a DC/AC Multilevel hybrid cascaded
cell, into a single nine-level DC/AC structure. The new single-phase, two-stage converter uses 12
power-switches only and a single DC input. Finally, this structure does not require switching tables or
complex control algorithms to balance the capacitors. Significant advantages are obtained, based only
on a single DC source at input, over all recent techniques of multilevel converters analyzed in Table 1.
This research, in general, pursues to further improve the efficiency and power density of
transformerless architectures as well as its reduction in complexity and costs.

2. Operation Principle of Proposed Converter

The main objective of this proposal is the generation of two isolated DC sources, named VC1 and
VC2, from a single power supply VDC, without use of transformers. These isolated DC sources are
required for the proper performance of 9-levels DC/AC cascaded cells topology.
To achieve this goal, this paper proposes a modification in the structure of conventional DC/DC
Buck Converter, without changes in the operating principle.
The proposed modification consists on a time-lapse high impedance generation between each Buck
converter and VDC power supply, to achieve the continuous high impedance states between VC1 and VC2
voltages generated by the Buck converters. Using the converter Buck1 shown in Figure 1, the proposed
modification is described. It consists on adding a power switch (T1,2) with the task of opening the
ground path of the VDC source. The diode D1,2 is connected in series to T1,2. This connection ensures
the unidirectional current flow from the collector to the emitter of T1,2.
 

Figure 1. Single DC nine-level DC/AC hybrid proposed topology.



The power supply, Vin, is the input voltage of the proposed converter. Vin can be a renewable DC
source, such as a solar PV array, a low-voltage wind, or a battery bank. It must be noted that
the voltage DC source, Vin, must have a value greater than the peak value of the output voltage, Vout.
The recommend range is 1.2 × |Vout| < Vin < 1.5 × |Vout|.
The output voltage, Vout, can be connected to low–medium-voltage power grids or to off-grid AC
loads. Since the proposed structure does not need a transformer for any conversions, process, or
interconnection, it has advantages, such as higher power density, higher efficiency, lower cost and
reduction of total harmonic distortion at output.

2.1. Isolated Bucks Converters

As shown in the Buck1 converter of Figure 1, the commutation states of the switches T1,1 and T1,2 are
controlled in parallel by the control pulse m1, while T2,1 and T2,2 are controlled by m2, on Buck2
converter. The PWM pulses, m1 and m2, are generated based on the magnitude comparison between D1
and D2 modulation signals and carry1, and carry2, ramp signals. The latter signals have a constant 180°
phase shift and use the switching frequency, FCBuck. Equations (1)and (2), shown the comparison rules
for m1 and m2:
1 when D1  Carry1
m
1  (1)
0 when D1  Carry1
1 when D2  Carry2
m
2  (2)
0 when D2  Carry2
From Equations (1) and (2) it can be deduced a number of topological combinations between Buck2
and Buck1 converters, as shown in Table 2. These states are obtained considering that switching
variables m1 and m2 do not take state 1 at the same time instant, which has been termed as a prohibited
state for this application.
 Table 2. Topological states for buck converters.
Topological State m1 m2 IL1 IL2 ID1,1 ID1,2 ID2,1 ID2,2 IDC
(i) 0 0 ΔIL1off ΔIL2off ΔIL1off 0 ΔIL2off 0 0
(ii) 1 0 ΔIL1on ΔIL2off 0 ΔIL1on ΔIL2off 0 ΔIL1on
(iii) 0 1 ΔIL1off ΔIL2on ΔIL2off 0 0 ΔIL2on ΔIL2on
1 1 Prohibited

Figures 2 and 3 show the main topological states proposed for the Buck converters. Figure 2 shows
specifically the topological state (ii) of Table 2, which meets the switching state m1 = 1, and the Buck1
converter takes the ΔIL1on current state, which is dependent on the potential difference between VDC and
VC1 as shown in Equation (3):
1 V V
t 1on
V V  t
I 
DC C1

  dt  I L1 

 1on  I L1

DC C1 DC C1
L1on
T 0 L1 L1 T (3)

From Figure 2, it can be deduced that current IDC1 flows from the power supply VDC, from collector-
emitter of T1,1 switch, followed by the inductor L1 to the capacitor C1, closing the circuit to ground by
D1,2 and the extra switch T1,2. It is noted that for this current mesh, the diode D1,1 is not polarized.
Parallel to this process it is noted in Buck2 converter, the current state ΔIL2off, where this current is only
dependent of voltage VC1, and initial condition IL2°, as described in Equation (4):
V C 2
t2off

I L2off
1
T  
VC 2 t2off 
L  dt  I     2off  I  (4)
L2 L2
0 2
L2 T

In Figure 2, referring to Buck2 converter, it can be seen that the T2,1 and T2,2 switches are in open
condition, due to m2 = 0. In this way, a high impedance state is generated between the positive and
negative source terminals VDC and the level of voltage VC2, where the current IL2 flows from the
positive terminal of the inductance to the cathode of the diode D1,1 to the negative terminal of the
capacitor C2.

I DC1 T1,1
I DC  L1
D  c1
T1,2 1,1
I H1
L1on
VDC  D1,2

T2,1  L2

IL2off  2 H2
D2,1
c
T2,2
D2,2

Figure 2. Topological state (ii), m1 = 1, m2 = 0.

Note that in this commutation state, the VDC power supply is directly connected to the voltage VC1,
but in a high impedance state with VC2 voltage. We concluded that there is no direct connection
between VC1 and VC2.
 Moreover, Figure 3 shows the next commutation stage (iii) of Table 2. It can be seen that the
converter Buck1 is in current state ΔIL1off. This current depends only on voltage VC1, and the initial
condition IL1°, as described in Equation (5):
t
1 1off  VC1 Vc t
IL1off   L  dt  I L1   L 1  1off  I L1
 
T0 (5)

1 1
T

Parallel to this process, the current IDC2 in the Buck2 converter flows from the power supply VDC to
the collector-emitter of T2,1 switch, then to the L2 inductance and afterward toward the capacitor C2,
closing the circuit to ground through D2,2 and finally to emitter-collector of switch T2,2:
L2on 1 V  V
t
2 on
V  V  t (6)
T L C2 L2 L2
I  DC
 dt  I  DC L C 2  2on
 T
I 
0 2 2


It is observed that in this trajectory the diode D2,1 is not polarized, so the topological state described
(ΔIL2on) is fulfilled by Equation (6).
T1,1
I DC  L1
D  c1
T1,2 1,1
I H1
IDC 2 L1off
VDC  D1, 2

T2,1 L2

D2 ,1  c2 H
T2,2 IL 2on 2

D2,2

Figure 3. Topological state (iii), m1 = 1, m2 = 0.

Note that this switching state is complementary to state (ii) in Table 2. The VDC power supply is
directly connected to the voltage VC2, but in a state of high impedance is connected to VC1. It can be
concluded again, that there is not direct connection between VC1 and VC2.
Finally, the topological state (i), of the switching Table 2, can be considered as a dead time and
there is no connection between the power supply VDC with the VC1 and VC2 voltage, where the Buck1
and Buck2 converters acquired a complementary behavior (ΔIL1off and ΔIL2off), as Indicated in the
Equations (4)–(6). Figure 4 shows the main waveforms involved in the process of DC/DC conversion,
to generate two isolated voltage sources (VC1 and VC2) based on single DC source at input.
The carry1 and carry2 variables are displayed in Figure 4a,d, respectively. In this figure it can be
observed 180° of constant phase shift between the control pulses coming from the magnitude
comparison between the carry1 and carry2 signals with D1 and D2. The variable modulation technique
is shown in Figure 4b,e, in which it can be seen a complementary behavior and a dead time between
the rising and falling edges. The generation of control pulses m1 and m2 is based on
Equations (1) and (2). These pulses are applied directly to control circuit breakers, being T1,1 and T1,2
controlled by D1 and T2,1 and T2,2 controlled by D2, as previously indicated.
 Carry 1

(a) D1

T
t1on t1off m1 t
(b) VDC1
I L1 t
(c) IDC1

Carry2 t
(d) D2
t2on t2off t
T m2
(e) VDC2
IL2 t
I DC2
(f )
t
I DC
(g)
m1  0 m1  0
t
m1  1
m2  0 m2  0 m2  1

Figure 4. Main waveforms for buck1 and buck2 converters (a) carry1 and D1; (b) m1;
(c) IL1 and IDC1; (d) carry2 and D2; (e) m2; (f) IL2 and IDC2; (g) IDC.

Currents IL1 and IL2 in the inductances are shown in red in Figure 4c,f. In these, it can be observed a
continuous conduction mode behavior. In the same figure, in blue color, there are shown the
waveforms of currents IDC1 and IDC2 generated in each Buck converter, which are dependent of
the product of the inductance current and the control drive variable m1 and m2, as is stated in the
Equations (7)–(8):
I DC1  I L1  m1 (7)

IDC2  I L2  m2 (8)

Finally, the instantaneous sum of the IDC1 and IDC2 currents is shown through the IDC variable in
Figure 4g. This represents the total current supplied by the voltage source VDC, and is calculated by
means of Equation (9):
I DC  I DC1  I DC2 (9)

The voltages VC1 and VC2 are depending of the inductors currents and the H-Bridges currents,
defined as:

VC1   (I L1  I )  dt (10)
H1

VC2   (I L2  I )  dt (11)
H2
 Currents IH1 and IH2 are detailed in the next section. After analyzing the topological states of the
Buck converters and by noting the connection and disconnection of alternating VDC voltage source and
also by noting a state of continuous high impedance between C1 and C2, we conclude that it is possible
to feed the DC/AC multilevel cascaded hybrid cells from a single power supply.

2.2. DC/AC Nine Levels Cascaded Cell Topology

A hybrid, two-bridges, multilevel structure with asymmetrical sources has key advantages over the
VSC-NPC and flying capacitor VSC. For instance, it can provide a higher number of voltage levels
with fewer switches. In addition, the hybrid topology has no need of capacitors or transformers for its
basic operation. As a consequence, using the latter configuration, a sine waveform can be reproduced
with lower harmonic distortion than with other multilevel topologies.
The generation of different voltage levels in Vout, from the cascade cell converter, is shown in
Figure 5. This voltages are obtained based on the algebraic sum of voltages VC1 and VC2 as shown in
Table 3, where H1 and H2 bridges generate combinations independent of voltage versus time,
being VH1 є {+VC1, 0, −VC1}; and VH2, є {+VC2, 0, −VC2}; respectively.

IH 1
IL1
S1,1 S1,3 VC1  VC 2
Vout
VC1 Iout VC1
S1,2 S1,4 VC2
Iout VC1 VC 2
Vo ut
IL2 S2,1 S2,3 VC1 VC 2
VC2
VC 2 Di VC1
S2,2 S2,4
VC1 VC 2

(a) (b)

Figure 5. Nine levels DC/AC cascaded hybrid converter (a) topology; (b) Vout waveform.

Table 3. Switching states and respective voltage levels.

H1 H2
Vout Level
S1,1 S1,2 S1,3 S1,4 S2,1 S2,2 S2,3 S2,4
VC1 + VC2 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1
VC1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0
VC2 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1
VC1 − VC2 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0
0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0
−VC1 + VC2 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 1
−VC2 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0
−VC1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0
−VC1 − VC2 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0
 Finally, the magnitude and phase shift of Iout depend on the type of load connected to converter,
which can be an independent load or a distribution electrical grid. The voltages of each H-bridge
converter (VH1 and VH2) can be defined by Equations (12) and (13) as:
V H 1  V C 1 [ S 1,1  S 1,3 ] (12)

V H 2  V C 2 [S 2 ,1  S 2 ,3 ] (13)

The currents of each H-bridge converter (IH1 and IH2) can be defined by Equations (14) and (15) as:
I H 1  I out [ S1,1  S1,3 ] (14)

IH 2  I out [S 2 ,1  S 2 ,3 ] (15)

Figure 5 shows the nine levels DC/AC cascaded hybrid topology implemented in this research.
It should be mentioned that for the topology employed specifically here, the voltage levels VC1 and VC2
have to satisfy the following ratio:
3
V  V (16)
C1 C2
2
where VC1 ≈ Vin·D1 and VC2 ≈ Vin·D2. Based on Equation (16) it is possible to calculate the duty cycle
D1 and D2, applied in Buck1 and Buck2 converters, respectively. It is noteworthy to mention that if the
voltage ratio between VC1 and VC2 is different from that stated in Equation (16), then Vout results with
deformations and, as a pertinent consequence, some harmonics can be injected to the power grid.
The harmonic distortion due to the imbalance of DC sources in DC/AC cascade-cell converter has
been already studied [18]. As VC1 and VC2 depend of D1 and D2, a larger or shorter of the latter will
deform Vout. The generation of voltage levels Vout is performed based on switching states in Table 3.
To obtain the correct control pulses to be applied to inverter power switches connected in cascade is
necessary to implement a multilevel modulation Sine-Pulse Width Modulation (SPWM) process,
discussed in next section.

2.3. Nine-Level SPWM Modulation

The multilevel modulation process employed for the topology, and shown in Figure 6, is obtained
from a magnitude comparison between eight modulating waves carry−j and carry+j where j є (1,2,3,4)
and a sine modulating signal Di.

1
carry  1

3
2
5 Di carry2

5 carry 
3
1 
5 carry 
4

1 carry
1

5 

25 carry 
2

carry3 
3
5
carry4 
1

Figure 6. Nine levels SPWM scheme.

 The control pulses are described by Equations (17) and (18):
1 when carry i  D i

C  i (17)
0 when carry   D
i i

1 when carry   D
 
i i

C i  (18)
 
0 when carry i  D i

In order to obtain the necessary topological stages, described by Table 3, the combinational logic
stage is necessary to obtain the required pulses for the cascaded multilevel converter. The logical
diagram implemented is shown in the Figure 7.

Di
  
 C4 C1 C2
carry1  
C
1 C1


carry C3 
2

 
C 1

S1,1 C2

S 2,1
carry 3 C2 C 
C3 
2


 3
C
4carry  C1 C4


  C1 C2
carry1 C1   C2

C1
carry
 
C1 
2 C2 
C1

S
1,3 S2,3
   C3 
carry3 C 3 
C2
 C4
 
C3 
carry4 C4

Figure 7. Combinational logic for IGBT pulses, on cascaded cell topology.

In order to verify the full operation of the converter stages, the Buck converters and the cascaded
cells with their respective modulations, a number of simulations have been developed, which are
presented in the next section.

3. Simulation

The proposed converter is analyzed through the Simulink—Matlab simulation platform, showing
the main variables of voltage, current and control pulses involved in the conversion process of DC/DC
through the Buck converters and DC/AC through hybrid cascaded cell converter.
Figure 8a,c shows the switching states of converters Buck1 and Buck2. The alternating duty cycles
m1 and m2 ensures the effect of instant isolation between VC1 and VC2. IL1 and IL2 current waveforms are
shown in Figure 8b,d, respectively. The behavior of these variables has been verified on the basis of
Equations (3)–(6).
 1 m1

Mag
0.5
a)
0
8

Amps
6 IL1
4
b)
2

1 m2
Mag

0.5
c)
0
8
IL2
Amps

6
4
d)
2
0.154 0.1545 0.155 0.1555 0.156 0.1565 0.157 0.1575 0.158
Time (s)

Figure 8. IL1 and IL2 currents for buck converters.

The waveforms of currents IDC1 and IDC2, generated by each Buck converter, are shown in Figure 10a,b,
respectively. Here, are clear again the alternating switching times between each converter.
Finally the total current IDC supplied by the voltage source VDC, is shown in Figure 9c, which is
dependent on the instantaneous sum of IDC1 and IDC2, fulfilling Equation (9).
10
IDC1
Amps

5
a)
0

10
IDC2
Amps

5
b)
0
10
IDC
Amps

5
c)
0
0.154 0.1545 0.155 0.1555 0.156 0.1565 0.157 0.1575 0.158
Time (s)

Figure 9. Current waveforms (a) IDC1, (b) IDC2, and (c) IDC.

The steady-state output voltage of the Buck converters, VC1 and VC2, are shown in Figure 10a.
In this figure the relative voltage for proper operation of the hybrid cascaded cell converter is observed,
as indicated by Equation (16).
The voltage waveforms generated by the H-Bridge converters, VH1 and VH2, are shown in
Figure 10b,c, respectively. From this, it can be seen the topological combinations versus time
dependent modulation process, meeting the switching states, Table 2.
Finally, the stepped voltage waveform Vout, is shown by Figure 10d. Vout depends on the algebraic
sum of the instantaneous VH1 and VH2 voltages.
 300 VDC
200

Volts
VC1
100
a) VC2
0
200 VH1

Volts
0
-200 b)
200
VH2
Volts

0
c)
-200
400
200 Vout
Volts

0
-200 d)
-400
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.2
Time (s)

Figure 10. Main voltage waveforms (a) VDC, VC1, and VC2; (b) VH1; (c) VH2; and (d) Vout.

Based on the performed simulations it is possible to verify compliance of the main goal of this
research: to achieve nine voltage levels DC/AC from a single power supply with only 12 power
switches and without transformers.
Additionally, it has been shown by means of circuit simulations that the waveforms satisfy the main
equations obtained for the electrical conversion process.

Table 5. Comparative analysis for nine levels DC/AC multilevel converters.

Multilevel Converter No. IGBTs No. Capacitors No. Diodes No. DC Sources
Proposed Topology 12 2 6 1
Clamped Diode 16 8 32 1
Flying Capacitor 16 32 0 1
Cascaded cells 8 0 0 2
 A general advantage of the new nine-levels converter over the other configurations is its relative
simple control algorithm, without the need of a transformer. These enhanced features make the nine-
levels converter introduced in this paper very suitable to application in micro-grids.
The solutions and capabilities presented can be further enhanced. Additional future advances from
this work focus on: (i) Minimizing the voltage and current harmonic distortion by means of a suitable
modulation scheme; (ii) Obtaining a mathematical model of the dynamic behavior of the nine-level
converter and its interaction with distribution grids and a microgrids; (iii) Evaluating the benefits of
using various types of LC and LCL filter for the interconnection of the nine-level converter with the
grid; (iv) Incorporating the converter to the Smart Grid concept; (v) Analyzing the transient behavior
of the converter; and (vi) Evaluate the benefits and limitations of using various types of LC and LCL
filter, located in between Vin and the Bucks converters, as a way for obtaining a continuous input
current IDC.

4. Conclusions

This work presents a new CD-CA nine-level topology, which combines a modified DC/DC Buck
Converter and hybrid Cascade converter based on two H-bridge, in a single phase structure. The most
important advantages of the proposed nine-level topology are: (i) Single DC source without need of
transformer and (ii) Reduction of power switches.
This topology is a competitive option suitable for an efficient integration and controlling of renewable
power sources (such as PV, fuel cells and low-voltage wind generator) into low and medium voltage
power grids and microgrids. For instance, a household application is the interconnection of PV modules,
while in isolated microgrids the applications may be PV and fuel cells. In other contexts, an ambitious
goal is to explore the application possibilities related to the integration of large photovoltaic installations.
This work is a step forward in the direction of reducing the number of elements in a converter
structure while improving overall efficiency and enhancing performance relative to other well-known
converter configurations.
The authors expect that the step-up multi-level converter introduced in this paper will become a
useful alternative for research and development in the area of DC/AC multilevel converters.
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