• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.173-181
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• 2016

In this paper, a new technique for harmonic optimization in cascaded H-bridge 7-level inverters is proposed. The suggested strategy is based on minimizing an objective function which simultaneously optimizes the converter utilization and Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). The Switch Utilization Ratio (SUR) is formulized for both the phase and line-line voltages of a 7-level inverter and is considered in the final objective functions. Based upon the SUR formula, utilization ratio enhancement will reduce the value of feeding DC links, which improves the efficiency and lifetime of the circuit components due to lower voltage stresses and losses. In order to achieve more effective solution in different modulation indices, it is assumed that the DC sources can be altered. Experimental validation is presented based on a three-phase 7-level inverter prototype.

• Proceedings of the KIPE Conference
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• 2015.07a
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• pp.323-324
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• 2015

Recently, asymmetrical cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter started to be highlighted as an alternative for the symmetrical cascaded H-bridge. The topology has a small number of part count compared to the symmetrical with higher number of levels. However, it has a drawback of the modulation index limitation which is relatively higher than its symmetrical counterpart, which causes a necessity of an extra voltage pre-regulator. In this paper, the single-sourced pre-regulator is unified with an inner single switch DC/DC converter isolated by coupled inductor. It leads to cost and size reduction. The proposed topology is verified using simulation results.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.946-956
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• 2014

Cascaded H-Bridge (CHB) converters can be directly connected to medium-voltage grids without using transformers and they possess the advantages of large capacity and low harmonics. They are significant tools for providing grid connections in large-capacity renewable energy systems. However, the reliability of a grid-connected CHB converter can be seriously influenced by the number of power switching devices that exist in the structure. This paper proposes a fault-tolerant control strategy based on double zero-sequence voltage injection and DC voltage optimization to improve the reliability of star-connected CHB converters after one or more power units have been bypassed. By injecting double zero-sequence voltages into each phase cluster, the DC voltages of the healthy units can be rapidly balanced after the faulty units are bypassed. In addition, optimizing the DC voltage increases the number of faulty units that can be tolerated and improves the reliability of the converter. Simulations and experimental results are shown for a seven-level three-phase CHB converter to validate the efficiency and feasibility of this strategy.

• Proceedings of the KIPE Conference
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• 2013.07a
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• pp.128-129
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• 2013

본 논문에서는 전기로 부하에서 발생하는 무효전력 성분과 역상분 전류를 보상하기 위한 STATCOM(STATic synchronous COMpensator)을 Cascaded Multilevel Converter(CMC)로 구성하는 경우 역상분 전류 보상시에 발생하는 직류전압의 불평형을 보상하기 위한 방법을 제안하고, 이를 시뮬레이터를 통해 검증하였다.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Power Electronics
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.448-455
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• 2015

A model predictive control (MPC) method without individual PWM has been recently researched to simplify and improve the control flexibility of a multilevel inverter. However, the input power of each H-bridge cell and the switching frequency of switching devices are unbalanced because of the use of a restricted switching state in the MPC method. This paper proposes a control method for balancing the switching patterns and cell power supplied from each isolated dc source of a cascaded H-bridge inverter. The supplied dc power from isolated dc sources of each H-bridge cells is balanced with the proposed cell balancing method. In addition, the switching frequency of each switching device of the CHB inverter becomes equal. A simulation and experimental results are presented with nine-level and five-level three-phase CHB inverter to validate the proposed balancing method.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.2278-2288
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• 2017

Multilevel converter topologies are widely used in many applications. The cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter (CHBMI), which is one of many multilevel converter topologies, has been introduced as a useful topology in high and medium power. However, it has a drawback to require a lot of switches. Therefore, the reliability of CHBMI is important factor for analyzing the performance. This paper presents a simple switch fault diagnosis method for single-phase CHBMI. There are two types of switch faults: open-fault and short-fault. In the open-fault, the body diode of faulty switch provides a freewheeling current path. However, when the short-fault occurs, the distortion of output current is different from that of the open-fault because it has an unavailable freewheeling current flow path due to a disconnection of fuse. The fault diagnosis method is based on the zero current time analysis according to zero-voltage switching states. Using the proposed method, it is possible to detect the location of faulty switch accurately. The PSIM simulation and experimental results show the effectiveness of proposed switch fault diagnosis method.

• Proceedings of the KIPE Conference
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• 2016.11a
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• pp.218-219
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• 2016

This paper present Phase Shifted with carrier based on Sinusoidal PWM(SPWM) by using Cascaded NPC/H-birdge converter. The proposed Phase Shifted PWM method is adding third harmonic injection in switching signal. The advantage of the proposed method is reducing the voltage and capacity of the capacitor. This paper compare general Phase Shifted method with proposed Phase Shifted method that added the third harmonic injection. Each PWM method is tested without considering the switching loss by using PSIM 9.1.4 simulation.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.1186-1194
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• 2017

This paper proposes an improved low frequency Selective Harmonic Mitigation-PWM (SHM-PWM) technique. The proposed method mitigates the low order harmonics of the output voltage up to the $50^{th}$ harmonic well and satisfies the grid codes EN 50160 and CIGRE-WG 36-05. Using a modified criterion for the switching angles, the range of the modulation index for non-linear SHM equations is improved, without increasing the switching frequency of the CHB converter. Due to the low switching frequency of the CHB converter, mitigating the harmonics of the converter up to the $50^{th}$ order and finding a wider modulation index range, the size and cost of the passive filters can be significantly reduced with the proposed technique. Therefore, the proposed technique is more efficient than the conventional SHM-PWM. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, a 7-level Cascaded H-bridge (CHB) converter is utilized for the study. Simulation and experimental results confirm the validity of the above claims.

• Proceedings of the KIPE Conference
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• 2017.11a
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• pp.123-124
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• 2017

Cascaded NPC/H-Bridge(CNHB) 컨버터는 전압 레벨 증가의 용이성 및 고효율 양방향 토폴로지로써 대전력 및 고전압 전력변환장치에 널리 사용되고 있다. 하지만 과도상태 및 정상상태에서의 단상으로 구성된 각 DC-link의 전압변동은 DC-link의 커패시턴스 증가 및 출력 전력의 품질을 저하시킨다. 이에 본 논문은 CNHB 컨버터의 정상상태 특성과 동특성 개선을 위하여 PI제어와 모델예측제어를 혼합한 제어기법을 제안한다. 제안한 기법의 타당성은 PSIM 9.1.4 시뮬레이션을 이용하여 검증한다.

• Proceedings of the KIPE Conference
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• 2011.07a
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• pp.453-454
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• 2011

본 논문에서는 벅-부스트와 포워드 컨버터의 기능을 갖는 컨버터를 제안한다. 제안하는 컨버터는 Cascaded H-bridge 멀티레벨인버터와 같이 다수의 독립된 전원을 요구하는 회로 구조를 단일 입력 전원단으로 구성할 수 있는 특징을 가진다. 벅-부스트 컨버터의 입력 인덕터는 변압기로 대체되며 컨버터 스위치의 ON 동작시 포워드 동작에 의해 변압기 2차측으로 전력전달이 이루어지며, 스위치 OFF시 변압기 1차측 자화인덕턴스에 저장된 에너지가 비절연된 벅-부스트 컨버터의 출력 커패시터로 전달된다. 제안된 컨버터의 동작 모드에 따른 이론적 분석을 시행하고 시뮬레이션을 통해 타당성을 검증한다.