A Reduced Switch-Count Single-Phase SEPIC-Based Inverter

Recently, reduced switch-count converters have garnered exceptional attention in power electronic systems due to the diversified advantages such as low cost, low weight and volume, and high reliability offered by them. In this paper, a novel design of single-phase inverters with a reduced number of switching devices is proposed based on the single-ended primary-inductance converter (SEPIC). The proposed inverter topology achieves DC to AC conversion using only two switches, and generates a pure sinusoidal AC output voltage without a need for an additional output filter. The reduction in the number of the switching devices contributes to the reduction of the complexity and size of the DC-AC conversion system. The proposed inverter utilizes the DC-link voltage entirely, where the output voltage could be extended up to the full value of the DC input voltage. The integral sliding-mode control is used with the proposed topology to optimize its dynamics, and to ensure robustness of the system during different operating conditions. Operation, analysis, simulations, and experimental results for the proposed inverter topology are included in this paper.