A pulse-width-modulated (PWM) inverter using the Walsh function harmonic elimination method is proposed in this paper. By using the Walsh domain waveform analytic technique, the harmonic amplitudes of the inverter output voltage can be expressed as functions of switching angles. Thus, the switching angles are optimized by solving linear algebraic equations instead of solving nonlinear transcendental equations. The local piecewise linear relations between the switching angles and the fundamental amplitude can be obtained under an appropriate initial condition. By searching all feasible initial conditions, the global solutions are obtained. The relations between switching angles and fundamental amplitude can be approximated by straight-line curve fitting. Thus, on-line control of fundamental amplitude and frequency is possible for the microcomputer-based implementation. The developed algorithm can be applied to both bipolar and unipolar switching schemes. The theoretical predictions are confirmed by computer simulations and DSP-based hardware implementation.