DC-to-AC Converters - 1. Introduction

This courseware focuses on the real-time simulation of the Single-Phase Two-Level and Three-Phase Two-Level inverters.

It consists of providing the students with theoretical background and real-time interactive tools to understand two-level inverters, followed by exercises to put the acquired knowledge into practice.
It is noteworthy that this document is a level-one courseware in which the focus is on (i) the analysis of the circuit and (ii) the open-loop control.
At the end of this courseware, the student will be capable of:

• Understanding the functionalities of Single-Phase Two-Level and Three-Phase Two-Level inverters.
• Computing the voltage levels at the output of the inverter as functions of input DC voltage.
• Observing the impact of changing PWM frequency and quantifying power losses.
• Observing the impact of changing PWM frequency on total harmonic distortion (THD).
• Understanding the impact of inductive load and capacitive load on currents, voltages; reversing the power flow.
• Understanding the benefits of filtering and its impact on THD at both the source and load sides.