Hybrid-Source Impedance Networks: Layouts and 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 two generic network entities, before multiple of them can further be connected together by applying any of the two proposed generalized cascading concepts. The resulting two-level and three-level inverters implemented using the cascaded networks would have a higher output voltage gain and other unique advantages that currently have not been investigated yet. It is anticipated that these advantages would help the formed inverters find applications in photovoltaic and other renewable systems, where a high voltage gain is usually requested. Experimental testing for validating the extra boosting has already been conducted with some representative results presented at the end of this paper.