A novel scheme based on voltage prediction and fast virtual vector modulation algorithm for direct torque control of a permanent magnet synchronous motor fed by diode clamped multilevel inverter is proposed.The system is based on diode clamped threelevel inverter,which is widely applied to middlehigh voltage speed regulation.Combined with space vector modulation,the reference voltage vector for direct torque control is obtained by voltage predictive control algorithm,then zero vector and two adjacent virtual vectors are used to synthesize reference voltage vector based on nonorthogonal 60° coordinate.The neutral point potential is controlled by using the neutralpoint current characteristics of small vectors,the desired basic voltages and their dwelling time can be easily obtained and fast space vector modulation is achieved.Simulation results verify the feasibility of the proposed control scheme,that dv/dt of output voltage and neutralpoint potential of threelevel inverter are restrained effectively,and high dynamic and steady performances are obtained.