Harmonic Analysis of a Modular Multilevel Converter Using Double Fourier Series

This paper presents a harmonic analysis of the modular multilevel converter (MMC) using a double Fourier series (DFS) algorithm. First, the application of DFS for harmonic calculation in the MMC is made by considering the effect of arm inductor. The analytical results are then confirmed by comparing with the simulation results of using the fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm. Finally, distribution of harmonics and total harmonic distortion (THD) in the MMC will be analyzed in three cases: harmonics versus number of levels of MMC, harmonics versus total switching frequency and harmonics versus modulation index. The simulation results are performed in the PSCAD/EMTDC simulation program in order to verify the analytical results obtained by Matlab programming.