Maximum constant boost control of 9-switch z-source power inverter-based electric vehicles

This paper deals with the implementation of a Maximum Constant Boost Control (MCBC) for a 9-Switch z-source power inverter supplying two induction motors. This topology allows greatly reducing the number of power switches, the switching-losses, the volume, and therefore the system cost. In Electric Vehicle (EV) application, a 9-switch power inverter requires a DC-DC converter to boost batteries output voltage and adapt it to supply the induction motors. In this context, another solution can be considered by adding an impedance network to the 9-switch power inverter therefore allowing the boost task. This topology is known as a z-source inverter. In this paper, experimental investigations, carried out on a dSPACE 1104, clearly demonstrate the feasibility and the effectiveness of the proposed control solution.