Cost, Efficiency and Power Density Pareto Investigation of Three Phase Inverters

Wide bandgap devices are enabling an increase in the efficiency and power density of converter systems. The properties of the wide bandgap devices are changing the optimum design parameters for converters. With a growing diversity of wide bandgap devices, it becomes increasingly difficult to select the optimum components, topology and design parameters for an application. This paper adresses challenges in identifying the optimum topology for wide bandgap devices and which components to select. Based on commercially available products and analytic equations, an algorithm is developed to aid the topology investigation. A three-dimensional plot is extracted from the algorithm, evaluating cost, efficiency and power density. The designs visually presented are the circuit combination fulfilling the design constraint. The algorithm allows the designer to select a topology, switching frequency and components based on an objective comparison.