Medium-Voltage Matrix Converter Design Using Cascaded Single-Phase Power Cell Modules

The matrix converter (MxC) is a bidirectional direct ac-ac power conversion topology that can generate variable voltage and variable frequency output. It has low harmonics in input current and power factor control capability. In this paper, MxC concept is extended to medium-voltage (MV) level to provide a high-power drive that has bidirectional power flow capability and very low harmonics in input current and output voltage. MV MxC is implemented by connecting power cells in series which consist of three-phase input and single-phase output MxC. In this paper, detailed design of the MV MxC topology is described and the performance of the proposed topology is explained through experimental results.