Abstract
In this article, two new unidirectional multilevel six-phase power rectifier topologies are proposed and investigated. Such topologies may be applied to ac-dc systems such as wind energy conversions systems, aerospace generator drives, telecommunications or any other application where regenerative operation is either not required or prohibited. The first topology is composed of two three-level neutral-point-clamped (NPC) converters connected to the open-end windings of a six-phase permanent magnet synchronous generator, and a three-phase noncontrolled diode bridge converter. The second topology is composed of three modified NPC converters with the substitution of two controlled switches by diodes in each leg. The use of a noncontrolled converter with diodes aims to reduce the controlled switches count, the system complexity, and the costs. However, it makes both systems nonreversible. The system models, operating principles, the space vector pulsewidth modulation strategies, the dc-links balance, and the control system to ensure the elimination of the zero-crossover distortion caused by the use of the diodes are presented. Due to the high number of levels generated, the systems are suitable for high power applications with voltage and current ratings restrictions. A study concerning harmonic distortion and semiconductor losses for both systems is performed, in order to be compared with a standard configuration. The feasibility of the system is demonstrated by simulation and experimental results.

Abstract
Cascaded H-bridge (CHB) inverters may have some of its cells with a bidirectional power flow between the dc source and the load. Considering this, switching strategies for multilevel CHB inverters are proposed for applications in which the regenerative mode is not desired, forcing all the cells to have either null or positive power flow toward the load. In order to validate the theoretical considerations, simulation and experimental analysis are made, where it is possible to maintain the high voltage quality and avoid the regenerative mode at any operating point.

Abstract
In this article, a multilevel single-phase converter is proposed and investigated. Its structure is based on cascaded-transformer systems, which are very interesting in applications in which a single dc source is available. The features of well-known multilevel cascaded H-bridge and transformer-based solutions are integrated into the proposed converter. As a result, the number of synthesized voltage levels can be optimized without excessively increasing the number of transformers. The basic configuration has six two-level insulated-gate bipolar transistor legs, two injection transformers, and two dc links (the lowest voltage dc link may be a floating capacitor or be connected to a small dc power source). The configuration is generalized and the calculation of the transformer's turns ratios as well as the dc-link voltages to maximize the number of voltage levels is provided. The proposed configuration is compared with cascaded H-bridge and a single-phase shared leg converter, which are also cascaded by means of transformers. Compared with the conventional converters, the proposed one has lower switching losses and higher conduction losses. Thus, the proposed configuration is more interesting in terms of semiconductor losses for high-voltage and low-current applications. Experimental and simulation results are shown to demonstrate the feasibility of the system.