PROJECT TITLE : CASCADED MULTILEVEL INVERTER EMPLOYING NEAREST LEVEL MODULATION (NLM) SWITCHING BASED ON ARDUINO
Since the last five weeks, some of the progress I have developed up to week 9 are basic simulation of 5 level cascaded inverter was done, basic switching technique for switches was carried out and more reading materials was found and used as guide for my project. Some of the references are from trusted sources like IEEE Xplore and IET website. One of the journals, "A Guide to Nearest Level Modulation for Multilevel Inverters" by A. Rakesh Kumar, T. Deepa, D. P. Kothari and Sanjeevikumar Padmanaban is one of the most vital references that gives a guide in order to implement Nearest Level Modulation technique for the operation of multilevel inverter.
Knowledge that I need to enhance in order to dominate and solve all the problem arises is power electronic knowledge includes knowing the power circuit configuration for 5 level cascaded inverter. Next, I need to know the suitable gate driver circuit to connect to the switches for switching. Then, I also need to fully understand the concept of power quality, harmonic distortion (THD) and efficiency of the inverter. Besides that, I also have to learn the Nearest Level Modulation technique in order to implement them in my project. Therefore, I have to deepen my coding and programming knowledge as I have to use MATLAB/Simulink in order to apply the Nearest Level Modulation switching for the multilevel inverter.
Some of the components and hardware required for this project includes:
- Arduino Uno
- MOSFET - IRF60B217
- Gate Driver IC - IR2110
- Resistor - 100 Ohm
- Voltage Regulator
Figure below shows the basic simulation circuit of cascaded 5-level inverter using Simulink (without NLM):
Scope of Work
Project Name
Cascaded Multilevel Inverter Employing Nearest Level Switching Modulation Based on Arduino.
Project Background
With a rapid growth in the industry, higher power application equipment was introduced. The conventional two level inverter is not capable enough of handling high power application. So, this project is a must to deepen the knowledge of multilevel inverter in order to achieve a multistage output voltage that can uphold the higher power application.
Project Scope Statement
By using cascaded multilevel inverter, the output produced is more sinusoidal than the conventional two level inverter. Hence it improves power quality, decreasing filter size and reducing losses.
Project Goals
- Obtaining a functional cascaded multilevel inverter using Nearest Level Modulation.
- Manage to implement Nearest Level Modulation switching technique using programming or MATLAB auto coding.
Project Deliverable
For research and design of a single phase cascaded multilevel inverter employing Nearest Level Modulation technique based on Arduino.
Methodology
- First step of the whole project is the development of cascaded multilevel inverter circuit design.
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Creating the cascaded multilevel inverter circuit model and then simulated using the MATLAB Simulink.
- Generating the PWM signal employing Nearest Level Modulation by using auto-coding technique as provided in Simulink Arduino Support Package.
- Connecting digital PWM with gate driver in order to achieve the operating voltage of MOSFETs.
- Building the hardware of the inverter circuit with the MOSFET and gate driver.
- Test the circuit.
- Transfer the circuit to PCB.
- Comparing the output values of hardware circuit and simulation circuit.
- Result analysis.