A RELIABLE SWITCH LADDER MULTI-LEVEL INVERTER

Abstract

In this paper, a multi-level inverter (MLI) based on switch ladder topology is
presented. In conventional MLI, the arrangement of power semi-conductor switches is in series and a
large number of switches conduct at the same time. Moreover, if one switch fails to conduct, the whole
output voltage collapses. Thus, the conventional MLIs are less reliable and they have high on-state
voltage drop. As compared to the conventional MLIs, the switch ladder inverter topology presented in
this paper deploys parallel arrangement of controlled switches. Switch ladder topology uses less
number of controlled switches, gate drive circuits and diodes. Therefore, it has minimal on-state
voltage drop, less conduction losses, less switching complexity and high reliability.
MATLAB/Simulink platform is chosen to simulate the proposed Switch Ladder Multi-Level Inverter.
The viability of the proposed inverter has been proven through hardware results as well.