Power Loss Modelling and Performance Comparison of Three-Level GaN-Based Inverters Used for Electric Traction
Arjun Sujeeth, Angelo Di Cataldo, Luigi Danilo Tornello, Mario Pulvirenti, Luciano Salvo, Angelo Giuseppe Sciacca, Giacomo Scelba, Mario Cacciato
Abstract
The main aim of this work is to present a step-by-step procedure to model and analyze the power loss distribution of three-level Gallium Nitride (GaN) inverters. It has been applied to three distinct three-phase three-level voltage source inverters utilized in electric traction drives: Active Neutral Point Clamped, Neutral Point Clamped and T-Type Neutral Point Clamped. The proposed analytical power loss modelling, combined with an equivalent representation of the electrical machine proved to be a viable solution to achieve a time-saving and low computational burden simulation platform, leading to satisfying accurate results. This has been confirmed by comparing the results carried out from the simulations of a 110 kW permanent magnet synchronous motor drive and those determined by considering a simplified circuital representation based on the proposed analytical power loss modelling.