Losses Evaluation in Current Source Inverter Topologies for Automotive Traction Applications

In this paper, an analytical modelling of power loss distribution has been addressed for different traction current source inverters. After having described the topologies and modulation strategies, modelling of losses for each semiconductor device composing the inverters is provided. Then, the theoretical study has been validated through extensive simulations performed on a 35kW permanent magnet synchronous motor drive fed by the considered current source inverter topologies. Furthermore, the power loss and overall efficiency of current source inverter-based motor drives have been compared to a traditional two-level voltage source inverter fed motor drive including an output LC filter. Results underline pros and cons of using current source inverter topologies based on wide bandgap semiconductor devices.