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We present in this paper a new topology of multilevel converter allowing an increase of input voltage level compared with the imbricated cells converter, while decreasing the stored energy in the converter. This new topology called SMC (stacked multicell converter) consists of a hybrid association of commutation cell making it possible to share the voltage constraint on several switches, and also to improve the output waveforms of the converter in terms of number of levels and switching frequency. After the introduction, the second part is devoted to the presentation of the topology. We give some explanation about the control of the SMC converter, and give some basics design properties for the SMC topology. Some simulation and experimental results obtained on a 50 kVA experimental set-up are presented.
Gateau et al. (2002) studied this question.