Hybrid-source impedance network and its generalized cascading concepts

Hybrid-source impedance networks have attracted attention among researchers because of their flexibility in performing buck-boost energy conversion. To date, three distinct types of impedance networks can be summarized for implementing voltage-type inverters, with another three types summarized for current-type inverters. These impedance networks can in principle be combined into a single generic network entity, before generalized cascading concepts are proposed for connecting multiple of them together to form energy converters with a higher output voltage gain and other unique advantages. It is anticipated that these concepts and their formed inverters can find applications in photovoltaic and other renewable systems, which in turn motivate the investigation initiated here on two-level and three-level generalized cascading concepts. In addition to their theoretical performance merits, practical shortcomings and relevant transient phenomena exhibited by the generalized concepts are discussed to provide a comprehensive knowledge base needed for weighing relevant tradeoffs before deciding on a particular application.