Page 1 of 9 2017-IACC-0824
The Wavelet Modulation Technique for 1φ CHB
Multi-Level DC-AC Power Electronic Converters
S. A. Saleh
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada
asaleh@unb.ca
Abstract— This paper presents the development and perfor-
mance evaluation of the wavelet modulation technique for single
phase (1φ) cascaded H-bridge (CHB) multi-level dc-ac power
electronic converters (PECs). The developed technique is based
on employing sets of resolution-segmented wavelet basis functions
as switching signals, where each set operates one H-bridge. The
number of sets of wavelet basis functions is selected to match the
number of levels in the output voltage of the 1φ CHB dc-ac PEC.
The wavelet modulation for 1φ CHB multi-level dc-ac PECs is
implemented for performance evaluation both in simulation and
experimentation. The performance of the developed technique is
evaluated for linear, nonlinear, and dynamic loads. Simulation
results show significant reduction of output harmonics, along with
high magnitude of the fundamental component ion the output
voltage. The improvements offered by the wavelet modulation
technique are further demonstrated through comparisons with the
level-shifted and phase-shifted pulse-width modulation techniques
under similar loading conditions.
Index Terms: 1φ Cascaded H-bridge multi-level power elec-
tronic converters, level-shifted PWM, and phase-shifted PWM.
I. I NTRODUCTION
The growing industrial demands for power electronic con-
verters (PECs) that operate at medium and high voltages
with high power ratings, have motivated the development of
multi-level PECs. These PECs have become widely employed
in several industrial sectors, including power systems, motor
drives, distributed generation units, electrical traction drives,
and plasma actuators. As of late, multi-level PECs have been
increasingly used in power systems to meet new mandates of
high flexibility and power control. These new mandates have
emerged as a result of the growing number of interconnected
distributed generation units. Several power systems have also
expressed interests in replacing distribution transformers with
high and medium power rated multi-level PECs [1]–[9]. In these
applications, multi-level PECs are considered as a fundamental
technology that can facilitate processing high power using low
voltage switching elements, which can be operated at low
switching frequencies [1]–[4], [10]–[12].
The foundations of multi-level PECs are based on recon-
structing an ac voltage by switching several independent dc
supplies. These PECs are typically designed using several
series-connected switching elements, thus reducing the voltage
stress across each switching element [1]–[4]. Such designs
of multi-level PECs have demonstrated several structural and
operational advantages over the conventional single-level PECs.
Various topologies have been introduced for constructing multi-
level single and three phase PECs, among which are the diode-
clamped, cascade H-bridge, and flying-capacitor topologies [4]–
[9]. Cascaded H-bridge (CHB) multi-level PECs have gained
remarkable popularity in a wide range of industrial applications.
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The popularity of CHB multi-level PECs has been due to several
structural and operational advantages, including [6]–[10]:
i) the modular design with simplified structure;
ii) the availability of control methods to balance dc voltages;
iii) the number of series connected H-bridge cells can be
changed to match the desired output voltage;
These advantages over other multi-level topologies have made
CHB multi-level PECs good candidates for applications that
require single phase (1φ) high power PECs. Examples of
such applications include photovoltaic systems and neutral-
connected three phase power distribution systems [10]–[15].
The increasing demands for multi-level PECs, including
the CHB ones, have prompted research works for developing
switching strategies for multi-level PECs. Various switching
strategies have been developed for operating the different
topologies of multi-level PECs. The square-wave switching
and pulse-width modulation (PWM) strategies have become
widely used for operating multi-level PECs. However, PWM
techniques have shown good capabilities for accommodating
different control methods, and have been adapted for multi-
level PECs. The PWM for multi-level PECs is based on the
two-level PWM technique, where the ON and OFF switching
actions are produced using multiple carrier signals. Two main
approaches have been introduced to arrange the PWM carrier
signals as [10]–[16]:
a) Level-shifted PWM (LSPWM): carrier signals with offsets
(vertical shifts);
b) Phase-shifted PWM (PSPWM): carrier signals with phase
shifts (horizontal shifts).
Several switching techniques have been introduced based
on modifying the LSPWM and PSPWM methods to further
improve the performance of 1φ and 3φ multi-level PECs,
including 1φ CHB ones. Among these techniques are the phase
opposition disposition (POD), alternative phase opposition dis-
position (APOD), in-phase disposition (PD), hybrid disposition
(HD), trapezoidal, and space vector modulation [9]–[16]. The
conventional LSPWM and PSPWM and their modified versions
have shown good abilities to operate 1φ and 3φ multi-level
PECs. Despite their abilities to operate multi-level PECs, PWM-
based switching techniques have shown limited capabilities for
improving the magnitude of fundamental components of output
voltage [9], [13]–[16]. At present, active research works are
being conducted to further improve the performance of PWM-
based switching techniques.
This paper presents the development, implementation, and
performance evaluation of the wavelet modulation technique
for 1φ CHB multi-level dc-ac PECs. The proposed technique
 2017-IACC-0824
is based on employing sets of resolution-segmented scale-
based linearly-combined scaling basis functions as switching
signals to operate 1φ CHB multi-level dc-ac PEC. Each set of
resolution-segmented wavelet basis functions is used to operate
one H-bridge in the 1φ CHB multi-level dc-ac PEC. Moreover,
the number of resolution segmentations is selected to match
the number of levels in the output voltage of the 1φ CHB
multi-level dc-ac PEC. An implementation procedure for the
proposed modulation technique is developed in order to test
its performance under different loading conditions. Finally, this
paper provides steady-state performance comparisons of the
wavelet modulation technique with the LSPWM and PSPWM
techniques when operating a 1φ CHB multi-level dc-ac PEC to
supply different load types.
II. OVERVIEW OF C ASCADED H -B RIDGE M ULTI -L EVEL
DC-AC P OWER E LECTRONIC C ONVERTERS
A. Multi-Level Power Electronic Converters
The continuous industrial demands for power electronic
converters (PECs) that can operate efficiently at medium and
high voltages, have motivated the introduction of multi-level
PECs. These new PECs have offered some advantages over
conventional PECs, including modular structures, simple con-
trols, reduced input/out harmonic distortion, high power ratings,
low common-mode voltage, possible operation at low switching
frequencies, and reduced voltage stresses across switching
elements [4]. The foundations of designing multi-level PECs
are based on ON and OFF actions of series-connected switching
elements fed by multiple dc supplies, to synthesize staircase ac
output voltages. While the input dc supplies can be capacitors,
batteries, fuel cells, etc, ON and OFF actions of the switch-
ing elements combine these supplies to synthesize ac output
voltages [1]–[6]. The designs of commercial multi-level PECs
have been based on three major topologies that are the diode-
clamped, flying capacitor, and cascaded H-bridge [7]–[12].
B. Cascaded H-Bridge Multi-Level PECs
The cascaded H-bridge multi-level PEC is one of the main
topologies of multilevel PECs, which can be used for construct-
ing 1φ and 3φ PECs. This multi-level PEC topology employs
series-connected switching cells, each of which is composed
of a 4-pulse H-bridge converter. The operation of an H-bridge
switching cell is based on activating the diagonal switching
element in each cell. For an m CHB multi-level PEC, (m−1)/2
switching cells are connected in series such that the output of
each H-bridge switching cell provides one positive level and
one negative level in the overall output voltage. Fig. 1 shows
the schematic diagram of a 1φ 7-level CHB dc-ac PEC.
Commercially available CHB multi-level PECs are designed
and manufactured for two main classes that are [12], [13]:
I- Symmetric CHB multi-level PECs: These multi-level
PECs are designed and operated for dc sources that have
the similar dc voltage magnitudes.
II- Asymmetric CHB multi-level PECs: These multi-level
PECs are designed and operated for dc sources that may
have different dc voltage magnitudes.
In this paper, the wavelet modulation technique is developed
and tested for 1φ symmetric CHB multi-level PECs.
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Page 2 of 9
Fig. 1. A schematic diagram for a 1φ 7-level CHB dc-ac PEC with a square-
wave switched output voltage.
III. WAVELET M ODULATION T ECHNIQUE FOR 1φ CHB
M ULTI -L EVEL DC-AC PEC S
A. The Wavelet Modulation Technique for 1φ DC-AC PECs
The wavelet modulation technique is a new method for
operating (PECs) to achieve [17]–[19]:
a) reduced input/output harmonic distortions;
b) improved output fundamental frequency component in dc-ac
PECs;
c) improved output dc component in ac-dc PEcs;
d) high and efficient energy transfer from the input side to the
output side of the PEC;
The wavelet modulation technique is realized by a non-dyadic
multirsolution analysis (MRA), which is constructed by sets
of scale-based linearly-combined wavelet basis functions. This
non-dyadic MRA is composed of two stages, that are [17]–[19]:
i) The analysis stage. The reference modulating signal is
sampled by using  scale-based
  linearly-combined scaling
basis functions ϕ 2j t − k ; j, k ∈ Z. These scaling
basis functions are generated by integer dilations and
translations of the scale-based linearly-combined scaling
function ϕ(t). The scaling function ϕ(t) is defined at scale
j as [17]:
    
ϕj (t) = φH 2j+1 t +φH 2j+1 t − 1 + 2−(j+1) (1)
where j = 1, 2, 3, ... and φH (t) is the Haar scaling func-
tion. The analysis stage produces groups of non-uniform
recurrent samples, where each group has two samples. The
locations of the samples in each group determine the width
and location of an ON switching pulse.
ii) The synthesis stage. The reference modulating signal is re-
constructed from the groups of samples that are created in
the analysis stage. The synthesis of the reference modulat-
ing signal is performed by  scale-based
 linearly-combined
synthesis basis functions ϕ̃ 2j t − k ; j, k ∈ Z, which
Page 3 of 9 2017-IACC-0824

are generated by the scale-based linearly-combined synthe-
sis scaling function ϕ̃(t) defined at scale j as:
ϕ̃j (t) = φH (t) − ϕj (t) (2)
The function ϕ̃(t) is the dual function for the scaling
function
  j ϕ(t) [17]. The synthesis wavelet basis functions
ϕ̃ 2 t − k are used as ON switching pulses to operate
a dc-ac PEC so that the reference modulating signal is
synthesized as its output.
The notation of ϕ̃ j (t) is used to imply:
 
ϕ̃j (t) = ϕ̃ 2j t ; j ∈ Z (3)
Reference [17] details the derivations of ϕ(t) and its dual ϕ̃(t),
along with their refinement equations and intervals of support.
These functions are developed to process a sinusoidal reference
modulation signal S M (t), that is [17], [18]:
where J = max(j), and T o is the period of S M (t). Finally, the
value of Dϕ over a half cycle of S M (t) can be defined as [17]:
Dϕ = 2J + 1 (11)
B. Resolution-Segmented Non-Dyadic MRA
In general, an MRA of a signal x(t) is a collection of j spaces
{V0 , V1 , . . . , Vj }, each of which contains a projection of x(t)
onto that space (see equation (6)). MRAs with spaces spanned
by wavelet basis functions exhibit unique features due to the
properties of wavelet basis functions. One of these properties is
the dilation property, which can be defined for a set of wavelet
basis functions {λj,0 (t), λj,1 (t), . . . , λj,k (t)} as [17], [18]:

  √ R−1  
λ 2j t = 2 g[r]λ 2j+1 t − r (12)
r=0

SM (t) = sin (2πfo t) (4) where R ∈ Z is the number of vanishing moments of λ(t) and
where fo is the desired output frequency. The scale-based g[r] is a set of coefficients related to λ(t).
linearly-combined scaling function ϕ j (t) creates one group of The dilation property of wavelet basis functions is applicable
samples from SM (t) at each scale j and shift k. A finite number for the scale-based linearly-combined basis functions, used
for the wavelet modulation
  technique.
 The application of the
of sample
  groups  D ϕ is created over each cycle of S M (t) dilation property to ϕ̃ 2j t − k allows expressing the output
by ϕ 2j t − k . The interval of each group is defined as
[td1 , td2 ], where td1 and td2 are related to j as [17], [18]: voltage for a 1φ WM dc-ac PEC as:

td1 = d + 2−(j+1) and td2 = d + 1 − 2−(j+1) (5) 

Js1−1
 
vo (t) =VDC ϕ̃ 2j t
where d = 0, 1, 2, ..., Dϕ − 1.
 At each  j, [td1, td2 ] represents
 j=1
for ϕ 2j t −
the interval of support  k andϕ̃ 2j t − k [17]. √  R−1
Js2−1   
The basis functions ϕ 2j t − k and ϕ̃ 2j t − k span + 2VDC gϕ [r]ϕ̃ 2(j+1) t − r
spaces to construct a non-dyadic MRA, which can be stated for j=Js1 r=0
SM (t) as [17], [18]: √ 
J 
R−1  


+ 2VDC gϕ [r]ϕ̃ 2(j+2) t − r

MRA (SM (t)) = (SM (t), Vj (ϕ)) , Ṽj (ϕ̃) (6)
j=Js2 r=0
j∈Z
√  R−1
Js1−1   
where: + 2VDC gϕ [r]ϕ̃ 2(J−(j+1)) t − r
   
Vj (ϕ(t)) = ϕ 2j t − k ; j = 1, 2, ..., k ∈ Z (7) j=Js2 r=0
     
Ṽj (ϕ̃(t)) = ϕ̃ 2j t − k ; j = 1, 2, ..., k ∈ Z (8) 
Js1−1
+ VDC ϕ̃ 2(Js1−j) t
where SM (t)(t), Vj (ϕ) is the projection
  S M (t) onto the
of j=1
space Vj , which is spanned by ϕ 2j t − k . The projection 
Js1−1  
To
of SM (t) onto Vj can be expressed as: − VDC ϕ̃ 2j t −
2
  td2   j=1
SM (t), Vj (ϕ) = SM (t)ϕ 2j t − k dt (9)  R−1  
√ Js2−1
To
 
k td1
 − 2VDC gϕ [r]ϕ̃ 2(j+1) t − r −
2
The basis functions ϕ̃ 2j t− k synthesize
  SM (t) from
 j=Js1 r=0
groups of samples created by ϕ 2j t − k . If ϕ̃ 2j t − k    
√ J R−1
To
are used as switching signals to operate a 1φ, 4-pulse dc-ac − 2VDC gϕ [r]ϕ̃ 2(j+2) t − r −
2
PEC, then the output voltage v o (t) will represent a synthesized j=Js2 r=0
version of S M (t) with a peak value of V DC . The output voltage  R−1  
√ Js1−1
(J−(j+1)) To
of a 1φ, 4-pulse wavelet modulated (WM) dc-ac PEC can be − 2VDC gϕ [r]ϕ̃ 2 t−r−
2
expressed over one cycle of S M (t) as [17]: j=Js2 r=0
⎛ 
Js1−1  

J
  J−1   
− VDC ϕ̃ 2(Js1−j) t −
To
(13)
vo (t) =VDC ⎝ ϕ̃ 2j t + ϕ̃ 2(J−j) t 2
j=1
j=1 j=1
⎞ where Js1 ∈ Z and Js2 ∈ Z are values for the resolution such
J   J−1
  
− ϕ̃ 2j t −
T o
− ϕ̃ 2(J−j) t −
T o ⎠ that 1 < Js1 < Js2 < J. The value of R for the scale-based
j=1
2 j=1
2 linearly-combined
  wavelet basis functions is R = 2, and
(10) gϕ = √12 , √12 [17].

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 2017-IACC-0824 Page 4 of 9

sample groups can provide an accurate approximation of S M (t).

Remarks for Equation (13) Fig. 3 (next page) shows an example of reconstructing
  a sinu- 
  j 
• The basis functions ϕ̃ 2 t − k soidal signal using sets of resolution-segmented ϕ̃ 2j t − k .
  (j+1) ; j  ∈ [Js1, Js2 − 1]
The proposed resolution segmentation of basis functions will be
have been replaced by ϕ̃ 2 t − k using the dila-
tion property (see equation (12)). used as the foundations of the wavelet modulation technique for
  (j+1)  1φ CHB multi-level dc-ac PECs.
• The basis functions ϕ̃ 2 t−k (described in the
previous
  (j+2) remark) with
 j ∈ [Js2, J] have been replaced by C. Wavelet Modulation for 1φ CHB m-Level DC-AC PEC
ϕ̃ 2 t − k using the dilation property.
The previous subsection has introduced the resolution-
• The use of the dilation property can be generalized to
segmented basis functions, along with their capabilities to
replace basis functions from scale j with basis functions
process signals through constructing non-dyadic MRAs. These
from scale j + 1.   j  capabilities can be utilized to develop a new switching tech-
• The dilation property, for replacing
  (j+1)    (j+1) ϕ̃ 2 t−k
nique for operating 1φ CHB multi-level dc-ac PECs, where
with ϕ̃ 2
 t−k
 and ϕ̃ 2 t−k with
carrier signals are dispensed with. In general, a switching
ϕ̃ 2(j+2) t − k , has to be applied over the positive and
technique for multi-level dc-ac PECs has to be able to op-
negative half cycles of S M (t).
erate different groups of switching elements so that input dc
The significance of equation (13) is that it introduces the voltages are sequentially connected to or disconnected from
possibility of synthesizing S M (t) using sets of scale-based the output side of the PEC. This requirement
 can be met by
linearly-combined basis functions from different scales. Such employing resolution-segmented ϕ̃ 2j t − k as switching
a possibility is based on using each set of basis functions over signals, where each level of the output voltage is created by a
a specific range of scales. The selected ranges of scales will group of switching elements,
  which are operated by one set of
be introduced in this paper as the
 resolution
 segmentation. The resolution-segmented ϕ̃ 2j t − k . The relationship between
resolution segmentation of ϕ̃ 2j t − k , over aspecific range the number of levels m in the
   output
 voltage
 and number of
of j, implies that the analysis basis functions ϕ 2j t − k sets of resolution-segmented ϕ̃ 2j t − k , σ, can be stated
have to be resolution-segmented over the same range of j. This as:
condition is required to ensure the stability and convergence of m = 2σ + 1; m, σ ∈ Z, and σ ≥ 2 (14)
the constructed non-dyadic MRA, which is associated with the
wavelet modulation technique. It should be noted that for CHB multi-level PECs, the value of
Fig. 2 showssets of scale-based linearly combined synthesis σ will be identical to the number of H-bridge cells.
 

basis functions ϕ̃ 2j t − k from different scales, and created The employment of resolution-segmented ϕ̃ 2j t − k as
through 2 resolution segmentations over a half cycle of S M (t). switching signals, to operate a multi-level dc-ac PEC, requires
defining a specific range of scales for each set. The desired
ranges of the scale are dependent on the number levels in the
  j  output voltage of a multi-level dc-ac PEC. Specific ranges of
ϕ̃ 2 t − k
the scale j for σ resolution segmentations can be selected as:
1
For σ = 2 : j ∈ {2, 4, 6, . . . , J}
0
  (j+1)  For σ = 3 : j ∈ {2, 5, 8, . . . , J}
ϕ̃ 2 t−k ..
1 .
For σ = σ : j ∈ {2, 2 + σ, 2 + 2σ, . . . , J}
0
  (j+2)    
ϕ̃ 2 t−k The resolution segmentation of ϕ̃ 2j t − k has to change
1 their intervals of support in order to maintain the stability and
convergence of the non-dyadic MRA. The interval of support
0
t for a resolution-segmented synthesis basis function ϕ̃ 2j t − k
Fig. 2.
 Sets
 of scale-based linearly-combined synthesis basis functions can be defined for a value σ as:
ϕ̃ 2j t − k created through 2 resolution segmentations over a half cycle
of SM (t). (td1 )σ = 2(σ+1) + dσ + 2−(j+σ) (15)
(σ+1) −(j+σ)
It can (td2 )σ = 2 + dσ + 1 − 2 (16)
 be seen from Fig. 2 that the resolution segmentation
of ϕ̃ 2j t − k over specific ranges of j, allows employing where dσ = 0, 1, 2, ...,
synthesis basis functions from different scales to reconstruct  Dσ − 1,
 and Dσ is the number of sample
groups created by ϕ 2j t − k at the σ resolution segmentation.
SM . If sets of resolution-segmented synthesis basis functions
The value of D σ over a half cycle of S M (t) can be defined as:
are used to operate a dc-ac PEC, each set has to operate a
different group of switching elements to reconstruct S M (t) over Dϕ − 1
Dσ = ; Dσ ∈ Z (17)
a specific range of the scale j. A range for the scale j of one set 2σ
of resolution-segmented synthesis basis functions, is achieved It should be noted that the locations of all
 sample groups,

by a finite number of sample groups. The summation of all re- created by a set of resolution-segmented ϕ 2j t − k , are
constructed versions of S M (as stated in equation (13)) from all centered around J. This setting is required to maintain the
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Page 5 of 9 2017-IACC-0824

  (j+2) 
ϕ̃ 2 t−k
  (j+1) 
ϕ̃ 2 t−k
  j 
ϕ̃ 2 t − k

SM (t)

t
Fig. 3. Reconstructing a sinusoidal signal SM (t) using resolution-segmented scale-based linearly-combined synthesis basis functions over one cycle of SM (t).
The number of resolution segmentation is 2.

quarter-cycle symmetry of the

 generated
 switching signals (sets STEP 2: Initialize j = 1, d = 0, d2 = 0, d3 = 0, . . . , dσ = 0,
of resolution-segmented ϕ̃ 2j t − k ). n = 0, and Ts (time step).
STEP 3: Create samples at td1 , td2 , td2 1 , td2 2 , td3 1 , td3 2 ,
IV. I MPLEMENTING THE WAVELET M ODULATION . . . , tdσ 1 , and tdσ 2 (equations (5), (15), and (16)).
T ECHNIQUE FOR A 1φ CHB M ULTI -L EVEL DC-AC PEC STEP 4: Generate ON-pulses for each H-bridge:
The foundations of the wavelet modulation technique are
H-Bridge 1: ON over [t d1 , td2 ]
based on processing a sinusoidal signal S M  (t) jusing a H-Bridge 2: ON over [t d2 1 , td2 2 ]
non-dyadic
  MRA,  which is constructed by
  ϕ 2t − k
and ϕ̃ 2j t − k . In such an MRA, ϕ 2j t − k deter- ..
.
mine
  j the locations
 and durations of switching pulses, while
ϕ̃ 2 t − k produce the switching pulses to operate the dc- H-Bridge σ: ON over [t dσ 1 , tdσ 2 ]
ac PEC. The wavelet modulation technique can be employed
STEP 5: Evaluate:
to operate multi-level dc-ac PECs, where the required non-
dyadic
  j MRA is constructed
  byresolution-segmented sets of A0 = SM
(td2 ) = cos (2πfo td2 ) (19)
ϕ 2 t − k and ϕ̃ 2j t − k . Such an MRA can process 
A2 = SM (td2 2 ) = cos (2πfo td2 2 ) (20)
a sinusoidal reference modulating signal S M (t) in order to
..
operate a 1φ CHB multi-level dc-ac PEC as: .
a) locations and durations of switching pulses for the switch- 
Aσ = SM (tdσ 2 ) = cos (2πfo tdσ 2 ) (21)
ing elements in each level  are determined
 by one set of
resolution-segmented ϕ 2j t − k . The required dura- STEP 6: Verify:
tions and locations are selected as [t d1 , td2 ] (for σ < 2 as IF A0 ≥ 0, j = j + 1; ELSE j = j − 1.
in equation (5)) and [t dσ 1 , tdσ 2 ] (for σ ≥ 2, as in equations IF A2 ≥ 0, j = j + 1; ELSE j = j − 1 (σ = 2).
(15) and (16), respectively). ..
.
b) switching pulses
  jare generated
 by one set of resolution- IF Aσ ≥ 0, j = j + 1; ELSE j = j − 1 (σ = σ).
segmented
  j ϕ̃
 2 t − k as in equation (13). Each set of STEP 7: Verify:
ϕ̃ 2 t − k generates switching pulses for a group of IF t ≥ Tm , THEN:
switching elements to create one level in the output voltage. j = 1, d = 0, d2 = 0, d3 = 0, . . . , dσ = 0
The previous description of the non-dyadic MRA can lead ELSE
to the implementation of the wavelet modulation technique for d=d+1
a 1φ CHB m-level dc-ac PEC as in the following steps: d2 = d2 + 1
STEP 1: Read the number of levels m in the output voltage, d3 = d3 + 1
and calculate σ as: ..
.
m−1 dσ = dσ + 1.
σ= (18)
2 STEP 8: Set n = n + 1 and Go to STEP 3.
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 2017-IACC-0824
V. S IMULATION R ESULTS
The previous section presented a step-by-step procedure
to implement the proposed wavelet modulation technique for
operating 1φ CHB m-level dc-ac PECs. This procedure was
implemented using a MATLAB code that generated switching
pulses to operate a SIMULINK model of a 1φ CHB multi-
level dc-ac PEC. The test SIMULINK model was developed
for m = 5, 7, and 9, where each H-bridge cell had an input dc
voltage of VDC = 50 V. The simulation tests were conducted
for three load types, which were:
• A linear load (static R − L load) with Z L as:
ZL = 10 + j7.54 Ω (22)
• A 1φ full-wave diode rectifier with a resistive load of 15
Ω (non-linear Load).
• A 1φ, 2-hp, 60 Hz, 200 V split-phase induction motor
(dynamic load);
For purposes of performance comparison, the developed
SIMULINK model of the 1φ CHB multi-level dc-ac PEC was
operated by switching signals generated by the level-shifted
pulse-width modulation (LSPWM) and phase-shifted pulse-
width modulation (PSPWM) techniques. The LSPWM and
PSPWM techniques were implemented following the methods
presented in references [8], [9], and [14] with a carrier signal
frequency of f c = 1.62 kHz and ma determined as:
Am
ma = ; 0.4 ≤ ma ≤ 1; ma ∈ R (23)
(m − 1)Ac
where m is the number of levels in v o (t), Am is the peak of
SM (t), and Ac is the peak of the carrier signal. The selection of
fc was made on the basis of the number of generated switching
pulses over each cycle of S M (t). The wavelet modulation
technique generates 52 ON-switching pulses over one cycle of
SM (t) (fo = 60 Hz). The LSPWM and PSPWM techniques
with fc = 1.62 kHz generate the same number of ON-
switching pulses over one cycle of S M (t) (fo = 60 Hz). Finally,
the spectra for voltages and currents were determined using
MATLAB built-in blocks [17].
A. The Linear Load: R − L Load
The performance test for the R − L load was carried out by
operating the 1φ CHB multi-level dc-ac PEC with switching
pulses generated by the wavelet modulation MATLAB code.
This test was to investigate the steady-state performance of a
1φ CHB multi-level dc-ac PEC supplying a linear load, when
operated by the wavelet modulation, LSPWM, and PSPWM.
In this test, the dc voltage inputs for the test PEC were
set as VDC = 50 V. The scale j for the different levels
(different values of σ) was collected during this simulation test
as shown in Fig. 4. The scale j in Fig. 4, for different values
of σ, confirmed the ability of the resolution-segmented basis
functions to maintain their quarter-cycle symmetry, which was
achieved by setting:
max(j)|σ=0 = max(j)|σ=2 = max(j)|σ=3 (24)
Fig. 5 shows the waveforms and spectra of the output voltages
and load currents obtained by using the wavelet modulation,
LSPWM, and PSPWM techniques.
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Page 6 of 9
j For σ = 0
14
9
4
1
j For σ = 2
14
9
4
1
j For σ = 3
14
9
4
1
0.07 0.08 0.09 0.11 0.12 0.13
Time [sec.]
Fig. 4. Simulation results for a 1φ CHB 7-level WM dc-ac PEC for suppling
a linear R − L load: the scale j for σ = 0, 2, 3.
The waveforms and spectra of v o (t) and iL (t) in Fig. 5 (a),
(b), and (c) showed that v o (t) had the highest fundamental
component, when the 1φ CHB 7-level dc-ac PEC was operated
by the wavelet modulation technique. Furthermore, the spectra
of vo (t) obtained using the wavelet modulation had lower
harmonic distortion than those obtained by the LSPWM and
PSPWM. The values of the fundamental components and har-
monic distortion factors for output voltages obtained by using
the wavelet modulation, LSPWM, and PSPWM techniques,
when supplying different load types are listed in Table I.
B. The Non-linear Load: Diode Rectifier
This simulation test was carried out by connecting the outputs
of the 1φ CHB multi-level dc-ac PEC to feed a 1φ full-wave
diode rectifier, which had a resistive load of R = 15 Ω. The
non-linear load test was conducted for m = 5. The objective
of this test was to investigate the steady-sate performance of
a 1φ CHB 5-level dc-ac PEC feeding a non-linear load, when
operated by the wavelet modulation, LSPWM, and PSPWM
techniques. During this test, each dc voltage was set to V DC =
50 V . Fig. The waveforms and spectra of the output voltages
and load currents obtained by using the wavelet modulation,
LSPWM, and PSPWM techniques are shown in Fig. 6.
The results obtained from the non-linear load test confirmed
the ability of the wavelet modulation technique to operate 1φ
CHB multi-level dc-ac PEC to produce outputs with reduced
harmonic distortion, when compared with thos produced by
other techniques. The waveforms and spectra for the output
voltages and load currents shown in Fig. 6 (a), (b), and (c)
show that the wavelet modulation technique was able to produce
a higher fundamental component in v o (t) than those obtained
using the LSPWM and PSPWM techniques. These performance
features demonstrated good agreement with those revealed in
other tests, where the proposed technique was able to operate
the 1phi CHB multi-level dc-ac PEC to produce an output
voltage with the highest fundamental component and lowest
harmonic contents.
C. The Dynamic Load: 1φ Split-phase Induction Motor
In this test, the 1φ CHB multi-level dc-ac PEC was config-
ured as a 9-level dc-ac PEC to feed a 1φ, 2-hp, 60 Hz, 200
V split-phase induction motor (dynamic load). The objective
of this simulation test was to investigate the steady-state per-
formance of a 1φ CHB 9-level dc-ac PEC feeding a dynamic
Page 7 of 9 2017-IACC-0824

150 vo (t) (a) 150 vo (t) (b) 150 vo (t) (c)

100 100 100
50 50 50
0 0 0
−50 −50 −50
−100 −100 −100
−150 −150 −150
0.07 0.08 0.09 Time [sec.] 0.10 0.11 0.07 0.08 0.09 Time [sec.] 0.10 0.11 0.07 0.08 0.09 Time [sec.] 0.10 0.11
150 150 150
|vo (f )| 120 |vo (f )|
120
|vo (f )| 120
90 90 90
60 60 60
30 30 30
0 0 0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 f [kHz] 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 f [kHz] 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 f [kHz] 3 3.5 4 4.5 5

16 iL (t) 16 iL (t) 16 iL (t)

10 10 10
4 4 4
−2 −2 −2
−8 −8 −8
−14 −14 −14

0.07 0.08 0.09 Time [sec.] 0.10 0.11 0.07 0.08 0.09 Time [sec.] 0.10 0.11 0.07 0.08 0.09 Time [sec.] 0.10 0.11
12 12 12
|iL (f )| |iL (f )| |iL (f )|
8 8 8

4 4 4

0 0 0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 f [kHz] 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 f [kHz] 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 f [kHz] 3 3.5 4 4.5 5

Fig. 5. Simulation results for a 1φ CHB 7-level dc-ac PEC for suppling a linear R − L load: the output voltage vo (t) and its spectrum |vo (f )|, and load
current iL (t) and its spectrum |iL (f )|. (a) The wavelet modulation technique, (b) level-shifted PWM technique, and (c) phase-shifted PWM technique.
100 vo (t) (a) 100 vo (t) (b) 100 vo (t) (c)
50 50 50
0 0 0
−50 −50 −50
−100 −100 −100

0.07 0.08 0.09 Time [sec.] 0.10 0.11 0.07 0.08 0.09 Time [sec.] 0.10 0.11 0.07 0.08 0.09 Time [sec.] 0.10 0.11
120 120 120

90
|vo (f )| 90 |vo (f )| 90 |vo (f )|
60 60 60

30 30 30

0 0 0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
f [kHz] 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 f [kHz] 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 f [kHz] 3 3.5 4 4.5 5

8 iL (t) 8 iL (t) 8 iL (t)

4 4 4
0 0 0
−4 −4 −4
−8 −8 −8

0.07 0.08 0.09 Time [sec.] 0.10 0.11 0.07 0.08 0.09 Time [sec.] 0.10 0.11 0.07 0.08 0.09 Time [sec.] 0.10 0.11

8 |iL (f )| 8 |iL (f )| 8 |iL (f )|

4 4 4

2 2 2

0 0 0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 f [kHz] 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 f [kHz] 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 f [kHz] 3 3.5 4 4.5 5

Fig. 6. Simulation results for a 1φ CHB 5-level dc-ac PEC for suppling a non-linear load: the output voltage vo (t) and its spectrum |vo (f )|, and load current
iL (t) and its spectrum |iL (f )|. (a) The wavelet modulation technique, (b) level-shifted PWM technique, and (c) phase-shifted PWM technique.

load when operated by the wavelet modulation, LSPWM, and wavelet modulation technique has been able to outperform
PSPWM techniques. Fig. 7 shows the waveforms and spectra the conventional LSPWM and PSPWM techniques both the
of the output voltages and load currents obtained by using the quantity and the quality of output voltages. A summary of all
wavelet modulation, LSPWM, and PSPWM techniques. test results is provided in Table I.
Test results for the dynamic load show that the wavelet TABLE I
modulation technique was able to improve the magnitude of P ERFORMANCE COMPARISON BETWEEN THE WAVELET
the fundamental component of the voltage applied to the 1φ MODULATION , LSPWM, AND PSPWM TECHNIQUES
split-phase induction motor. This improvement was revealed by
the spectra of the output voltages obtained by using the three Load Parameters m
Wavelet
LSPWM PSPWM
tested techniques. (see Fig. 7 (a), (b), and (c)). Furthermore, Modulation
|V1 | [p.u] 0.94 0.82 0.81
the spectra of the voltages and currents demonstrated that the Linear
THDV
5
14.33% 30.04% 27.46%
wavelet modulation technique created less harmonic distortion |V1 | [p.u] 0.93 0.84 0.81
7
than the LSPWM and PSPWM techniques. The results of this THDV 11.46% 18.92% 16.86%
|V1 | [p.u] 0.95 0.83 0.82
test demonstrated a consistent ability of the wavelet modulation THDV
9
8.71% 12.12% 10.63%
technique to operate the 1phi CHB multi-level dc-ac PEC and |V1 | [p.u] 0.95 0.86 0.88
improve the quantity and quality of v o (t). Non-Linear 5
THDV 15.94% 32.32% 30.68%
|V1 | [p.u] 0.93 0.87 0.85
Performance results for the steady-state operation of 1φ CHB 7
THDV 12.85% 20.62% 18.92%
multi-level dc-ac PECs have demonstrated improved perfor- |V1 | [p.u]
9
0.93 0.86 0.87
THDV 9.03% 12.89% 10.07%
mance when using the proposed wavelet modulation technique.
|V1 | [p.u] 0.94 0.82 0.84
These improvements in the performance have been measured Dynamic
THDV
5
14.74% 30.02% 27.21%
in terms of the magnitude of the fundamental component |V1 | [p.u] 0.95 0.81 0.82
7
in the output voltage, as well as the voltage total harmonic THDV 10.91% 22.04% 17.33%
distortion factor. In all tests with different values of m, the |V1 | [p.u] 0.94 0.83 0.83
9
THDV 7.68% 13.19% 10.31%
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 2017-IACC-0824 Page 8 of 9

200
150
vo (t) (a) 200
150
vo (t) (b) 200
150
vo (t) (c)
100 100 100
50 50 50
0 0 0
−50 −50 −50
−100 −100 −100
−150 −150 −150
−200 −200 −200
1.67 1.68 1.69 Time [sec.] 1.70 1.71 1.67 1.68 1.69 Time [sec.] 1.70 1.71 1.67 1.68 1.69 Time [sec.] 1.70 1.71
200 200 200

150 |vo (f )| 150 |vo (f )| 150

|vo (f )|
100 100 100

50 50 50

0 0 0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 f [kHz] 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 f [kHz] 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 f [kHz] 3 3.5 4 4.5 5

20 iL (t) 20 iL (t) 20 iL (t)

10 10 10
0 0 0
−10 −10 −10
−20 −20 −20

1.68 1.69 Time [sec.] 1.70 1.71 1.67 1.68 1.69 Time [sec.] 1.70 1.71 1.67 1.68 1.69 Time [sec.] 1.70 1.71

20 |iL (f )| 20 |iL (f )| 20 |iL (f )|

15 15 15

10 10 10
5 5 5
0 0 0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 f [kHz] 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 f [kHz] 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 f [kHz] 3 3.5 4 4.5 5

Fig. 7. Simulation results for a 1φ CHB 9-level dc-ac PEC for suppling a dynamic load: the output voltage vo (t) and its spectrum |vo (f )|, and load current
iL (t) and its spectrum |iL (f )|. (a) The wavelet modulation technique, (b) level-shifted PWM technique, and (c) phase-shifted PWM technique.

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