Three-phase Split-Source Inverter (SSI): analysis and modulation

In several electrical DC-AC power conversions, the AC output voltage is higher than the input voltage. If a voltage source inverter (VSI) is used, then an additional DC-DC boosting stage is required to overcome the step-down VSI limitations. Recently, several impedance source-converters are gaining higher attentions [1], [2], as they are able to provide buck-boost capability in a single conversion stage. This paper proposes the merging of the boost stage and the VSI stage in a single stage DC-AC power conversion, denoted as split-source inverter (SSI). The proposed topology requires the same number of active switches of the VSI, three additional diodes, and the same eight states of a conventional space vector modulation. It also shows some merits compared to Z-source inverters (ZSI), especially in terms of reduced switch voltage stress for voltage gains higher than 1.15. This paper presents the analysis of the SSI and compares different modulation schemes. Moreover, it presents a modified modulation scheme to eliminate the low frequency ripple in the input current and the voltage across the inverter bridge. The proposed analysis has been verified by simulation and experimental results on a 2.0 kW prototype.