Theoretical Analysis of Harmonics in PWM OutputWaveform of Multilevel Inverters.

Multilevel inverters have very attractive features, such as lower harmonics in the output, lower EMI, and reduction of the required voltage rating of power semiconductor devices. Among them, lower harmonics in the output can reduce the volume of the output harmonic filter and additional losses caused by the harmonics. Therefore, multilevel inverters are expected to realize higher power density and higher efficiency. In this paper, as a basis of the quantitative investigation of these features, the harmonics in the PWM output voltage of multilevel inverters are analyzed theoretically. As an application of the theoretical results, the usefulness of the theoretical results is verified by the prediction of the harmonic contents of the load current. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]