Online Identification of Semiconductor Switching Times in Inverters with Inductive Load Using an FPGA and Potential Separated Comparators

The nonlinear behavior of inverters is largely impacted by the interlocking and switching times. A method for online identifying the switching times of semiconductors in inverters is presented in the following work. By being able to identify these times, it is possible to compensate for the nonlinear behavior, reduce interlocking time, and use the information for diagnostic purposes. The method is first theoretically derived by examining different inverter switching cases and determining potential identification possibilities. It is then modified to consider the entire module for more robust identification. The methodology, including limitations and boundary conditions, is investigated and a comparison of two methods of measurement acquisition is provided. Subsequently the developed hardware is described and the implementation in an FPGA is carried out. Finally, the results are presented, discussed, and potential challenges are encountered.