An n-level flying capacitor based active neutral-point-clamped converter

An n-level flying capacitor (FC) based active neutral point clamped (ANPC) converter is discussed in this paper. The converter is based on an arrangement of a three-level ANPC converter and a number of two-level cells creating an n-level line-to-neutral waveform. The converter is operated under a phase-shifted carrier pulse-width modulation (PWM). The mathematical model for the DC-link capacitors voltage behavior of a three-phase arrangement is also presented. It is shown through simulations and experimental work that the voltage of flying capacitors can naturally balance to the required level in order to generate multilevel waveform. Simulations and experimental work of a single-phase seven-level ANPC converter prototype are also presented.