3030 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS, VOL. 57, NO.
9, SEPTEMBER 2010
A Generalized Half-Wave Symmetry SHE-PWM
Formulation for Multilevel Voltage Inverters
Wanmin Fei, Member, IEEE, Xiaoli Du, and Bin Wu, Fellow, IEEE
Abstract—Half-cycle symmetry selective-harmonic-elimination
pulsewidth-modulation (SHE-PWM) problems may have a large
number of valid solutions, which are beneficial to the optimization
design. This paper proposes a novel generalized formulation of
half-cycle symmetry SHE-PWM problems for multilevel inverters.
The advantages of the proposed formulation include simplicity in
format, flexibility in PWM waveforms, and a broad solution space.
A method to obtain initial values for the SHE-PWM equations
according to the reference modulation index M and the initial
phase angle of output fundamental voltage is proposed and investi-
gated thoroughly. Take a five-level inverter with M = 0.75 as an
example; six sets of solutions for two typical initial phase angles of
0◦ and 90◦ are presented. Simulations and experiments are carried
out. It is demonstrated that the experimental results agree well
with simulated ones, which proves the validity and practicability
of the new method proposed.
Index Terms—Half-cycle symmetry, multilevel inverter,
pulsewidth modulation (PWM), selective harmonic
elimination (SHE).
I. I NTRODUCTION
M ULTILEVEL converters have drawn tremendous inter-
est in recent years due to their superior performance
compared to two-level inverters, such as lower common-mode
voltage, lower dv/dt, lower harmonics in output voltage and
current, and reduced voltage on the power switches [1], [2].
The desired output of a multilevel converter is synthesized
with several methods, including staircase modulation [2], [3],
sinusoidal pulsewidth modulation (SPWM) with multiple trian-
gular carriers [4], [5], multilevel space-vector modulation [6],
[7], and selective harmonic elimination PWM (SHE-PWM).
SHE-PWM techniques offer several advantages over other
modulation methods, including acceptable performance with
low switching frequency to fundamental frequency ratios, direct
control over output waveform harmonics, and the ability to
leave triplen harmonics uncontrolled to take advantage of cir-
cuit topology in three phase systems, and therefore have drawn
great attention in recent years [8]–[32].
Manuscript received January 21, 2009; revised April 9, 2009 and June 27,
2009; accepted October 12, 2009. Date of publication December 4, 2009; date
of current version August 11, 2010. This work was supported in part by the
Postdoctoral Science Foundation of China under Grant 2006040934, in part
by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions
of China under Grant 07KJB470056, and in part by the Discovery Grant of
Engineering Research Council of Canada.
W. Fei and X. Du are with the School of Electrical and Automation
Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210042, China (e-mail:
feiwanmin@njnu.edu.cn; feiwanmin@126.com; dxli82@163.com).
B. Wu is with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada (e-mail: bwu@ee.
ryerson.ca).
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/TIE.2009.2037647
0278-0046/$26.00 © 2010 IEEE
The main challenge of SHE-PWM techniques is to obtain the
solutions, i.e., switching angles, associated with the nonlinear
transcendental equations that contain trigonometric and exhibit
multiple sets of solutions. Much effort has been made in ob-
taining effective initial values to guarantee rapid convergence of
Newton iteration [8], [9]. Many algorithms have been proposed
in the technical literature to deal with the problem of find-
ing the desired solutions. The algorithms include introducing
transformation steps to ensure convergence and finding of all
sets of solutions through, for instance, a sequential homotopy-
based computation [10], use of resultant theory and high-order
polynomials [11]–[13], use of Walsh functions [14], and opti-
mization techniques such as genetic algorithms [15], through a
colony of ants [16], and optimization search [17]. The solutions
of SHE-PWM problem for traditional two-level inverters are
employed in cascade multilevel inverters by a kind of phase-
shifting technology [18].
The theory of resultants and their performance for a multi-
level staircase waveform were reported in [11], in which it
is shown that the transcendental equations characterizing the
harmonic content can be converted to polynomial equations,
and the latter can be solved to get the complete solution using
the method of resultants from elimination theory. The use of
symmetric polynomials combined with the resultant theory for
a multilevel converter to reduce the degree of the polynomial
equations is reported in [12] and [13].
A new active harmonic elimination technique was recently
introduced to the line frequency method, aiming to eliminate
higher order of harmonics by simply generating the opposite
of the harmonics to cancel them [19]. The disadvantage in that
is that it uses a high switching frequency. Solution trajectories
of the harmonic elimination problem were mathematically ad-
dressed in [20]. Multilevel SHE-PWM method is investigated in
comparison with the multicarrier-based SPWM method in [21].
It is concluded that the SHE-PWM method offers significantly
higher converter bandwidth than the multicarrier-based SPWM
method and also reduces switching frequency with the similar
waveform quality in the full range of modulation index. A
generalized formulation for multilevel SHE-PWM converters
with nonequal dc source was also reported in [22]. A method
manipulating the well-known SHE-PWM technique to control
power flow in each H-bridge of a cascaded multilevel rectifier at
a low switching frequency while still achieving a high-quality
waveform is described in [23]. Instead of eliminating specific
low-order harmonics, an optimization strategy, which considers
all the harmonics and the total harmonic distortion (THD) as
a global problem in conjunction with one specific actual grid
code, is proposed in [24].
FEI et al.: HALF-WAVE SYMMETRY SHE-PWM FORMULATION FOR MULTILEVEL VOLTAGE INVERTERS 3031

A novel and systematic design approach for applying signal

processing methods as an addition to conventional control to
achieve both control objectives like fast transient response and
efficient harmonic filtering is reported in [25]. A modulation-
based method for generating SHE-PWM waveforms without a
solution of coupled transcendental equations is reported in [26].
The bipolar waveform when symmetry is requested through
the definition of the problem has been treated in detail, where
a minimization technique is employed along with a biased
optimization search method to get the multiple sets [27], [28].
A novel formulation for quarter-wave symmetry SHE-PWM Fig. 1. PWM waveform in the first half cycle for definition of switching
problems and a novel method for obtaining initial values for angles.
multilevel voltage inverters are proposed in the literature [29],
[30]. Owing to the generality for multilevel inverters with of the new formulation. Simulation and experiment result based
any level and any topology, simplicity in format, and great on two sets of solutions are carried out. Experiment results
flexibility in PWM waveforms, quarter symmetry SHE-PWM agree well with the simulated ones, which prove the validity
problems with large numbers of low-order harmonics to be and practicability of the method proposed.
eliminated for full range of modulation index can be resolved This paper is organized in the following way. Section II
easily. presents the new formulation of the half-wave symmetry
The quarter-wave symmetry assumption guarantees that the SHE-PWM technique. Section III describes the methods for
even harmonics will be zero and that all harmonics will be obtaining initial values and the solutions of the SHE-PWM
either in phase or antiphase with the fundamental voltage. equations. Sections IV and V present the simulation and ex-
Although this is convenient, the quarter-wave symmetry con- periment results. Conclusions are summarized in Section VI.
straint limits the solution space. On abolishing the symmetry
requirements, more generalized techniques of the SHE-PWM II. N OVEL F ORMULATION OF H ALF -WAVE S YMMETRY
method can be formulated for traditional two-level [31] and M ULTILVEL SHE-PWM P ROBLEMS
five-level [32] inverters, which brings about infinite solutions.
Some solutions may have merit relative to others with respect Switching angles in the first half cycle of a typical half-
to system losses, ripple characteristics, distribution of unelim- wave symmetry SHE-PWM waveform of a multilevel inverter
inated harmonics, THD, or some other system aspects. For with L levels are shown in Fig. 1. The problem under con-
example, these unique harmonic profiles can be chosen such sideration is to find appropriate switching angles, namely,
that they place significant energy in triplen harmonics, a bene- α1 , α2 , α3 , . . . , αN , so that the (N − 1)/2 nontriplen odd har-
fit for applications with balanced three-phase wye-connected monics can be eliminated and the control of the fundamental
loads. However, four times the number of switching angles voltage is also achieved. The Fourier series expansion of the
and harmonic elimination constraints compared with quarter- SHE-PWM waveform is given by
symmetry method result in asymmetry SHE-PWM equations ∞

too complicated to be practical. V (ωt) = (an cos(nωt) + bn sin(nωt)) (1)
With the same harmonic elimination and fundamental control n=1
tasks, if the quarter-wave symmetry constraint is relaxed to where ω is the radian frequency of the output voltage.
half-wave symmetry, half the number of switching angles and Owing to the PWM waveform characteristics of half-wave
harmonic elimination constraints in contrast with asymmetry symmetry, an = bn = 0 when n is even. When n is odd,
SHE-PWM method are needed. The complexity of half-wave the generalized expressions of an and bn for any number of
symmetry SHE-PWM techniques is reduced, and the property switching angles and any number of voltage levels (even or
of infinite solutions remains. Infinite solutions provide infinite odd, provided that the waveform is physically correct and can
opportunities for optimization design. The main objective of be implemented) are given by
this paper is to extend the generalized formulation of quarter- ⎧
⎪ 
N
wave symmetry SHE-PWM problems proposed in [29] and ⎪
⎨ an = − nπ
2E
pk sin nαk
[30] to half-wave symmetry ones for multilevel voltage in- k=1
(2)
verters. Novel methods for obtaining initial-angle-based multi- ⎪
⎪ N
⎩ bn = nπ2E
pk cos nαk
level SPWM methods by introducing an initial phase angle k=1
of fundamental output voltage are proposed. Taking a five-
level inverter and M = 0.75 for instance and supposing that where E is the voltage of a level and the coefficient of pk can
there are 20 switching angles in a half cycle and the initial be expressed as follows:
phase angles of fundamental output voltage are 0◦ and 90◦ , the 
1, αk , for rising edge
SHE-PWM equations are formulated and solved. Six solution pk = (3)
−1, αk , for falling edge.
sets for each of the two typical initial phase angles of 0◦ and 90◦
are presented. Many kinds of PWM waveforms can be obtained Multilevel inverters are mainly employed in three-phase
from one group of equations, which proves the great flexibility medium- and high-voltage systems, in which all the triple
3032 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS, VOL. 57, NO. 9, SEPTEMBER 2010

TABLE I
T WELVE S ETS OF S OLUTIONS TO H ALF -WAVE S YMMETRY SHE-PWM P ROBLEMS FOR F IVE -L EVEL I NVERTERS AT M = 0.75

harmonics are absent in output voltage, so only the low-order 1) N is the number of switching angles in a half cycle, and
nontriple harmonics in the line-to-neutral voltages are to be N is even for half-wave symmetry multilevel inverters.
eliminated. For a multilevel inverter with L output levels, given 2) L is the number of levels of the output phase voltage.
a desired fundamental V1 , a corresponding modulation index 3) αk is the kth switching angles with the constraint that
M can be expressed as
2V1 0 ≤ α1 ≤ α2 ≤ α3 ≤ · · · ≤ αN ≤ π. (6)
M= . (4)
(L − 1)E
The generalized equations of the half-wave symmetry For a given fundamental control or a definite modulation
SHE-PWM problems for multilevel voltage inverters can be index M , there are infinite corresponding arrays composed of
shown as constant A1 and B1 with a constraint expressed as follows:
⎧
⎪ N L−1
⎪
⎪ 2E pk sin αk = −A1 A21 + B12 = M E. (7)
⎪
⎪ π 2
⎪
⎪ k=1
⎪
⎪ N
⎪
⎪ 2E
⎨ π pk cos αk = B1 For a given goal of fundamental control and harmonic elimi-
k=1
(5) nation, there are infinite sets of equations about the SHE-PWM
⎪
⎪ N
⎪
⎪
2E
pk sin nαk = 0, n = 5, 7, 11, 13, . . . problem. If one set of equations has several sets of solutions,
⎪
⎪ nπ
⎪
⎪
k=1 there must be infinite sets of solutions to the SHE-PWM
⎪
⎪ N
⎪
⎩ 2E pk cos nαk = 0, n = 5, 7, 11, 13, . . . . problems, which supply abundant opportunities for concrete
nπ
k=1 optimization.
FEI et al.: HALF-WAVE SYMMETRY SHE-PWM FORMULATION FOR MULTILEVEL VOLTAGE INVERTERS 3033

Fig. 2. Trajectories of solutions near M = 0.75. (a)–(f) Initial phase angle of fundamental voltage is 0◦. (g)–(l) Initial phase angle of fundamental
voltage is 90◦ .
3034 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS, VOL. 57, NO. 9, SEPTEMBER 2010

The new formulation features that the coefficients of the

sine and cosine items are 1/ − 1 according to the switching
angles for rising/falling edges, which is quite different from the
formulation proposed in other literatures [31], [32]. The advan-
tages of the new expression of half-wave symmetry multilevel
SHE-PWM equations include the following: 1) They have sim-
plicity in format; 2) they are applicable to multilevel inverters
with any output levels and any topology; and 3) most impor-
tantly, some keys of the SHE-PWM equations, which do not
satisfy the constraint expressed by (6), may still be the solution
to the multilevel SHE-PWM problem, thus greatly broadening
the solution space.

III. S OLUTIONS TO THE H ALF -WAVE S YMMETRY

SHE-PWM P ROBLEMS FOR M ULTILEVEL I NVERTERS
A. Methods for Obtaining Initial Values
For half-wave symmetry SHE-PWM problems, the phasing
of fundamental voltage is free to vary. The equations and initial
values are dependent on the initial phase of the output funda-
mental voltage. Supposing that there is a reference sinusoidal
signal whose initial phase angle ϕ0 is equal to that of the
output fundamental voltage and substituting ωt with ωt + ϕ0 ,
the method for obtaining the initial values based on rules of
equal area and superposition of center of gravity of the PWM
section with the reference signal proposed in [29] and [30] can
be adopted here.
Another alternative is using the multicarrier-based SPWM
method for obtaining initial values, where the reference sinu-
soidal signal should have the same initial phase angle with that
of the output fundamental voltage and the amplitude should be
close to that determined by the modulation index M .
Most of the initial values obtained with the aforementioned
methods are sufficiently close to the exact solution to guarantee
convergence of the numerical iteration. Trial and error method Fig. 3. Approximate PWM waveforms corresponding to the 12 sets of solu-
tions listed in Table I.
can be adopted when the aforementioned methods are invalid
or more sets of solutions are wanted.
be a true solution. Assume that there is an integer K within the
range of (−(L − 1)/2, (L − 1)/2), where L is the number of
B. Resolving Multilevel SHE-PWM Equations
levels of the multilevel inverter, and the voltage is KE at t = 0.
The method used in this paper is not analytical but rather nu- The criterion is as follows: With the increase of time, the PWM
merical in nature. For this reason, a formal proof for any of the waveform increases a level E at a rising edge and decreases a
previously stated claims cannot be easily provided. However, an level E at a falling edge. If all the PWM waveforms in a half
explanation of how the method is applied is as follows. First, the cycle are within (−(L − 1)E/2, (L − 1)E/2) for an L-level
number of switching angles in a half cycle, a modulation index inverter, it is a true solution to the L-level SHE-PWM problems
M , and the two constants A1 and B1 in (5) are decided, and since it can be realized by an L-level inverter. Otherwise, if
then, a series of initial values composed of rising and falling there is not such an integer K, the numerical result is not a
edges can be obtained with the methods described earlier. true solution to the SHE-PWM problems.
Second, the multilevel SHE-PWM equations according to the To illustrate how to formulate and solve the SHE equations,
rising and falling edges are formulated. Third, the equations let us take an example where the procedure of obtaining a
are solved with the fsolve () function provided by Matlab 65. solution at M = 1.15 is shown. First, the initial phase angle of
Finally, a judgment concerning whether the numerical result the output fundamental voltage ϕ0 is preset for the half-wave
is a true solution to the multilevel SHE-PWM problem should symmetry SHE-PWM method. In this example, ϕ0 = 0◦ .
be made. When a numerical result is in an ascending sequence Assuming E = 1 for simplicity, A1 = 2.3 and B1 = 0 can
strictly as the initial values, it satisfies the constraint shown in be reached according to (7) and tan ϕ0 = A1 /B1 . Second, a
(6) and is a true solution undoubtedly. However, in many cases, group of initial values for the SHE-PWM equations must be
disorder may occur in the numerical result. When a numerical obtained through an existing SPWM method, and list them as
result does not satisfy the constraint shown in (6), it may still a series of rising and falling edges in the first half cycle, such
FEI et al.: HALF-WAVE SYMMETRY SHE-PWM FORMULATION FOR MULTILEVEL VOLTAGE INVERTERS 3035

as +7.43◦ , −10.92◦ , +13.91◦ , +27.85◦ , −30.81◦ , +35.73◦ , numbers of pulses between different levels are shown in Fig. 3,
−41.59◦ , +44.51◦ , −53.14◦ , +54.79◦ , −125.21◦ , +126.87◦ , and the widths of pulses vary with the modulation index M .
−135.49◦ , +138.42◦ , −144.28◦ , +149.19◦ , −152.15◦ , The waveform in Fig. 3(n) is corresponding to the trajectory in
−166.09◦ , +169.08◦ , and −172.57◦ for a five-level inverter. Fig. 2(n), and the solution at M = 0.75 is Sn in Table I, where
The switching angle with a “+” or “−” sign represents a rising n is a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, and l. The trajectories can be
or falling edge, respectively. Third, SHE-PWM equations are obtained by solving the equations with the solutions listed in
formulated with parameters A1 and B1 according to (3) and Table I as initial values.
(5). It must be emphasized that the SHE-PWM equations The sets of solutions Sa−f are obtained with one group of
are determined by the initial values obtained previously. equations, in which (A1 , B1 ) in (5) are (2.3, 0), and Sg−l are
The edge property of a switching angle is that of its initial obtained when (A1 , B1 ) in (5) are (0, 2.3). From the numerical
value. For example, the initial value of α1 is +7.4297, with iteration process, we found that, for half-cycle symmetry SHE-
the plus sign indicating that α1 is a rising edge. Similarly, PWM problems, there are a lot of alterations in the sequences
α3 , α4 , α6 , α8 , α10 , . . . , α16 , and α19 are rising edges, and of the switching angles of the solutions, which do not satisfy
α2 , α5 , α7 , α9 , α11 , . . . , α18 , and α20 are falling edges. the constraint expressed by (6). However, most of the solutions
Therefore, p1 , p3 , p4 , p6 , p8 , p10 , . . . , p16 , and p19 are 1 and of the equations are true solutions to the SHE-PWM problems
p2 , p5 , p7 , p9 , p11 , . . . , p18 , and p20 are −1 according to (3). because they are applicable by judging with the criterion de-
There are 20 switching angles in a half cycle, so 20 equations scribed earlier. This phenomenon results in a variety of SHE-
can be formulated, and nine low-order harmonics can be elim- PWM waveforms, which are shown in Fig. 3, obtained with
inated. The SHE-PWM equations can be set up by substituting one group of equations.
A1 , B1 , αi , and pi into (5), where i = 1, 2, 3, . . . , 19, and 20. A variety of solutions and SHE-PWM waveforms can be
The equations are formulated as follows: obtained with one group of equations, and many solutions can-
⎧ not be achieved with other SHE-PWM schemes, thus proving
⎪ 2(cos α1 − cos α2 + cos α3
⎪
⎪ the great advantages of the novel formulation proposed in this
⎪
⎪ + · · · + cos α19 − cos α20 ) = 1.15π
⎪
⎪ paper.
⎪
⎪ sin α1 − sin α2 + sin α3
⎪
⎪ With the same goal of harmonic elimination and the same
⎪
⎪ + · · · + sin α19 − sin α20 = 0
⎪
⎪ average switching frequency, the number of switching angles
⎪
⎪ cos 5α 1 − cos 5α2 + cos 5α3
⎪
⎪ for half-wave symmetry SHE-PWM is twice that of quarter-
⎨ + · · · + cos 5α19 − cos 5α20 = 0
wave symmetry SHE-PWM. Therefore, more solutions exist
sin 5α1 − sin 5α2 + sin 5α3
⎪
⎪ for a group of equations according to the analysis with the
⎪
⎪ + · · · + sin 5α19 − sin 5α20 = 0
⎪
⎪ resultant theory in the literature [11]–[13]. This is in favor of
⎪
⎪ ···
⎪
⎪ optimization design.
⎪
⎪ cos 29α1 − cos 29α2 + cos 29α3
⎪
⎪ A set of solutions to half-wave symmetry SHE-PWM prob-
⎪
⎪ + · · · + cos 29α19 − cos 29α20 = 0
⎪
⎪ lems for five-level inverters with full-range modulation index
⎪
⎩ sin 29α1 − sin 29α2 + sin 29α3
M from 0 to 1.15 and their trajectories are obtained. The full-
+ · · · + sin 29α19 − sin 29α20 = 0.
range solutions are presented in a way of initial values and their
Finally, the equations are solved for the switching angles effective ranges of M , as shown in Table II, because all the
with fsolve () function provided by Matlab 6. Rewrite the precise values of solutions can be obtained by solving the SHE-
equations in a format specified by Matlab. Set up the parameters PWM equations with sampled solutions taken from the solution
of the function, load the initial values to the variables of the trajectories as initial values. All the initial values in Table II are
switching angles, and run the fsolve () function, from which a solutions of SHE-PWM problems for a certain M whose value
set of solutions can be obtained. is listed in the first column of Table II. The curves of solution
trajectories are omitted for brevity.
The solutions for nonzero initial phase angle of fundamental
C. Solutions to SHE-PWM Equations
voltage can be transformed to solutions with zero initial phase
Taking a five-level inverter and 20 switching angles in a angle by a simple phase shifting. The solutions for M between
half cycle as an example and letting M = 0.75 and the initial 0.68 and 0.77 in Table II are for fundamental voltage with an
phase angles of the fundamental output voltage be 0◦ and 90◦ , initial phase angle of 90◦ . The initial phase angles of other
the SHE-PWM nonlinear equations are formulated. Nine low- solutions are zero.
order harmonics, namely, the 5th, 7th, 11th, 13th, 17th, 19th,
23rd, 25th, and 29th, are to be eliminated. Six solution sets are
IV. S IMULATION
obtained and listed in Table I for the initial phase angle of the
fundamental voltage of 0◦ and 90◦ . The switching angles with To verify the validity of the solutions obtained with the new
positive/negative signs in Table I are the rising/falling edges of formulation proposed in this paper, simulations based on Psim
the SHE-PWM wave. The trajectories of the solutions listed in and a three-phase five-level cascade inverter are carried out.
Table I are shown in Fig. 2 to illustrate the varying tendency The parameters for simulation are as follows: voltage of a level
of the solutions near M = 0.75. The approximate SHE-PWM (E = 100 V), frequency of the output voltage (f = 50 Hz), and
waveform corresponding to each set of solution is shown in resistance of the load (R = 136 Ω). Solutions Sa and Sg , which
Fig. 3. By approximate PWM waveform, we mean that the are both the first group of solution we obtained for the initial
3036 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS, VOL. 57, NO. 9, SEPTEMBER 2010

TABLE II
S OLUTIONS TO H ALF -WAVE S YMMETRY SHE-PWM P ROBLEMS FOR F IVE -L EVEL I NVERTERS
W ITH F ULL R ANGE OF M ODULATION I NDEX M F ROM 0 TO 1.15

phase angle of fundamental voltage of 0◦ and 90◦ as M = 0.75,
are adopted in the simulations. The simulation waveforms of the
line-to-neutral voltage, line-to-line voltage, and their frequency
spectrums are shown in Fig. 4, where subplots (a), (b), and (c)
show the case of solution Sa with an initial phase angle of
fundamental voltage of 0◦ and subplots (d), (e), and (f) show
that of solution Sg with an initial phase angle of fundamental
voltage of 90◦ .
From the simulation waveforms, it can be seen that all the
harmonics lower than 30th of the line voltages have been elim-
inated and that the goals of fundamental control are realized in
both cases.
V. E XPERIMENT
To further verify the validity of the new method, a five-
level three-phase cascade inverter prototype is constituted. The
parameters concerned and the switching angles are the same as
that employed in the simulation. The experimental waveforms
of the line-to-neutral voltage, line-to-line voltage, and their
frequency spectrums are shown in Fig. 5, where subplots (a),
(b), and (c) show the case of solution Sa with an initial phase
angle of fundamental voltage of 0◦ and subplots (d), (e), and
(f) show that of solution Sg with an initial phase angle of
fundamental voltage of 90◦ .
The experimental results agree well with the simulations and
prove the validity of the new method proposed.
VI. C ONCLUSION
A novel generalized formulation of half-wave symmetry
SHE-PWM problems for multilevel voltage-source inverters
has been proposed in this paper. This method is very sim-
ple in formulation, brings great flexibility to the SHE-PWM
waveform design, and thus substantially broadens the solution
space. Methods based on multilevel SPWM for determining
initial values of switching angles are also described. Half-wave
symmetry SHE-PWM problems have a large number of unique
solutions, which provide opportunities for optimization design.
It has been illustrated that many (we obtained and listed 12)
sets of switching angles which represent a variety of PWM
waveforms for elimination of 5th to 29th harmonics in a five-
level inverter can be obtained easily. Many kinds of solutions
can be obtained with one group of equations, and this made the
FEI et al.: HALF-WAVE SYMMETRY SHE-PWM FORMULATION FOR MULTILEVEL VOLTAGE INVERTERS 3037

Fig. 4. Simulation results. (a) Phase voltage with solution Sa . (b) Line voltage with solution Sa . (c) Frequency spectrum of the line voltage with solution Sa .
(d) Phase voltage with solution Sg . (e) Line voltage with solution Sg . (f) Frequency spectrum of the line voltage with solution Sg .

process of solving the equations much simpler. The advantages

of the new method can be proved by the numerical process of
resolving the equations. Computer simulations based on Psim
package are performed. An experimental five-level cascade
H-bridge inverter prototype is constructed and experimentally
investigated. It is demonstrated by simulation and experiments
that nine low-order harmonics in the line voltage of the multi-
level inverter are eliminated, which verifies the effectiveness of
the proposed SHE modulation method.

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Wanmin Fei (M’07) was born in Henan, China,
in 1965. He received the B.Sc. degree in electrical
engineering from Henan University of Science and
Technology, JiaoZuo, China, in 1985, the M.Sc. de-
gree in electrical engineering from Xi’an Jiaotong
University, Xi’an, China, in 1992, and the Ph.D.
degree in electrical engineering from Zhejiang Uni-
versity, Hangzhou, China, in 2004.
From 1993 to 1999, he was an R&D Engineer with
Zibo Kehui Electric Company, Ltd., Zibo, China.
Since 2004, he has been with Nanjing Normal Uni-
versity, Nanjing, China, where he is currently a Professor in the School of
Electrical and Automation Engineering. From November 2008 to November
2009, he was a Visiting Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer
Engineering, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada. He has published more
than 50 technical papers and is the holder of ten issued/pending patents in power
electronics. His main areas of interest include power electronics and FACTS.
Xiaoli Du was born in Henan, China, in 1982.
She received the B.Sc. degree from Nanjing Normal
University, Nanjing, China, in 2006, where she is
currently working toward the M.S. degree in elec-
trical engineering in the School of Electrical and
Automation Engineering.
Her main research interests are multilevel convert-
ers and their control methods.
Bin Wu (S’89–M’92–SM’99–F’08) received the
Ph.D. degree in electrical and computer engineer-
ing from the University of Toronto, Toronto, ON,
Canada, in 1993.
From 1992 to 1993, he was with Rockwell Au-
tomation as a Senior Engineer. He joined Ryerson
University, Toronto, where he is currently a Professor
in the Department of Electrical and Computer En-
gineering and the Natural Sciences and Engineering
Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Rock-
well Industrial Research Chair in Power Electronics
and Electric Drives. He is also the Founder of the Laboratory for Electric
Drive Applications and Research, Ryerson University. He has published more
than 160 technical papers and a Wiley–IEEE Press book. He is the holder of
19 issued/pending patents in the area of power electronics, energy systems,
advanced controls, and adjustable-speed drives.
Dr. Wu is a Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada and the Canadian
Academy of Engineering. He is an Associate Editor for the IEEE
T RANSACTIONS ON P OWER E LECTRONICS and the IEEE Canadian Review.
He is a Registered Professional Engineer in the Province of Ontario, Canada.
He was the recipient of the Gold Medal of the Governor General of Canada,
the Premier’s Research Excellence Award, Ryerson Distinguished Scholar
Award, Ryerson Research Chair Award, and the NSERC Synergy Award for
Innovation.