Abstract: An inverter circuit, coupled to a two-level DC voltage supply and being able to form a five-level output voltage is described, together with a method for operating the inverter circuit. The inverter circuit comprises a series connection of six unidirectional power semiconductor switches, each coupled to an antiparallel diode, between the positive and negative nodes of the supplying DC voltage. The inverter circuit further comprises a series connection of two internal capacitors between the cathodes of the first and the fifth switches of the series connection, the connection point of the capacitors being coupled to the internal node of the inverter circuit. In use, the unidirectional power semiconductor switches are controlled in order to set the voltage of the output of the inverter circuit.

Abstract: An inverter circuit, coupled to a two-level DC voltage supply and being able to form a five-level output voltage is described, together with a method for operating the inverter circuit. The inverter circuit comprises a series connection of six unidirectional power semiconductor switches, each coupled to an antiparallel diode, between the positive and negative nodes of the supplying DC voltage. The inverter circuit further comprises a series connection of two internal capacitors between the cathodes of the first and the fifth switches of the series connection, the connection point of the capacitors being coupled to the internal node of the inverter circuit. In use, the unidirectional power semiconductor switches are controlled in order to set the voltage of the output of the inverter circuit.