Robust Control Strategies for Grid-Connected Crossover Switches Cell Multilevel Inverters: Comparative Analysis and Performance Evaluation

Multilevel inverters (MLIs) have become key enablers in renewable energy (RE) integration and electric vehicle (EV) systems, where high-quality power conversion and robustness are critical. Among the different topologies, the Crossover Switches Cell (CSC) converter has recently gained attention due to its superior voltage-boosting capability and reduced component count. While most existing studies on CSC control strategies have been limited to simulations, this work advances the field by providing comprehensive real-time experimental validation under varying operating conditions and parameter mismatches. Finite Control Set Model Predictive Control (FCS-MPC), Sliding Mode Control (SMC), and Lyapunov-based MPC (LMPC) are comparatively assessed in terms of dynamic response, voltage regulation, harmonic minimization, and robustness. Real-time implementation on an Opal-RT platform demonstrates that MPC achieves superior current control with minimal harmonics, SMC offers strong disturbance rejection and effective capacitor voltage balancing, while LMPC guaranties stability with a reduced computational burden. The presented results highlight the trade-offs between these advanced control strategies while providing practical guidelines for selecting robust control techniques for grid-connected MLIs in RE and EV applications.