Harmonic optimization of multilevel converters using genetic algorithms

In this paper, a genetic algorithm (GA) optimization technique is applied to multilevel inverter to determine optimum switching angles for cascaded multilevel inverters for eliminating some higher order harmonics while maintaining the required fundamental voltage. This technique can be applied to multilevel inverters with any number of levels; as an example in this paper, a 7-level inverter is considered, and the optimum switching angles are calculated offline to eliminate the 5th and the 7th harmonics. Then, these angles are used in an experimental setup to validate the results.