Dynamic average-value modeling of a four-level drive system

Multilevel power converters have gained much attention in recent years due to their high power quality, low switching losses, and high-voltage capability. These advantages make the multilevel converter a candidate for the next generation of naval ship prolusion systems. Evaluation of these systems is typically assisted with a dynamic average-value models in order to rapidly predict system performance under several operating scenarios. In this paper, an average-value model is developed for the four-level diode-clamped converter which takes into account the active capacitor voltage balancing control. This model performance prediction is compared to a detailed model and laboratory measurements on an 18 kW rectifier/inverter test system.