Abstract

This work presents various multilevel converters obtained from basic dc-dc converters for high-voltage and high-power applications. Several cells are proposed, which have a single switching pattern realized via a simple modulator circuit that compares triangular carriers with a sine modulator. One of the main features of the proposed circuits is that some transistors work at low frequency and withstanding high voltages or high currents, while others are switched at high frequency and low voltage or low current levels. The topologies can be classified as hybrid. In addition, taking account that having the slow bridge as an output circuit means that a reduced number of semiconductor components leads to a relatively high number of levels.