Modular multilevel converter

1. A Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) comprising:

multiple sub-modules connected in series with each other; and

a controller for controlling on/off switching of the multiple sub-modules,

wherein the multiple sub-modules include N sub-modules, which participate in operation of the MMC, and M redundant submodules, which participate in the operation of the MMC in place of at least one N sub-modules when the at least one N sub-modules fail,

wherein the controller switches on a sub-module, among the N+M sub-modules to which carrier signals are assigned, if a carrier signal assigned thereto is equal to or higher than a preset reference signal, and switches off the sub-module if the carrier signal assigned thereto is lower than the preset reference signal, and

wherein a range from a top to a rest position of each of the carrier signals of the N+M sub-modules is not balanced with a range from a bottom to the rest position thereof.

2. The MMC of claim 1 , wherein when the preset reference signal oscillates within a top-to-bottom range from −A to +A, each of the carrier signals oscillates within a top-to-bottom range from −A to +(A×(N+M)/N).

3. The MMC of claim 2 , wherein each of the N+M submodules is switched on and is then switched off after the carrier signal corresponding thereto is phase-shifted by M carrier signals.

4. The MMC of claim 1 , wherein N+M carrier signals are assigned to the N+M sub-modules, respectively, and N submodules, selected from the N+M sub-modules, rotationally participate in the operation of the MMC.

5. The MMC of claim 4 , wherein all of the N+M sub-modules perform on/off switching.