at Google ScholarTitle data
Frank, Michael ; Bakran, Mark-M.:
Analysis of Loss Reductions in SiC Automotive Traction Inverters Using Pulse-to-Pulse Active Gate Drivers.
In: IEEE Open Journal of Power Electronics.
Vol. 7
(2026)
.
- pp. 1087-1106.
ISSN 2644-1314
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/OJPEL.2026.3675434
Abstract in another language
In electric vehicle powertrains, standard driving cycles are dominated by partial-load conditions in which conventional gate drivers operate inefficiently. This paper investigates the potential for loss reduction in silicon carbide (SiC) automotive traction inverters using pulse-to-pulse active gate drivers (AGDs) that dynamically adapt to switching current and junction temperature. While various AGD methodologies exist, a rigorous quantitative comparison of different topologies remains limited. This study analyzes traction inverter losses under gate resistance manipulation (GRM) and gate voltage manipulation (GVM) strategies with varying discrete control resolutions (two, three, and infinite), benchmarked against the theoretical minimum achievable losses. Control parameters are adapted exclusively between switching pulses (“pulse-to-pulse”) to minimize implementation complexity. Special attention is given to capacitive charging processes to isolate real channel switching losses from measured energy, a critical correction for accuracy at low loads. The analysis links loss reduction capabilities to fundamental power semiconductor principles, revealing a distinct performance trade-off: GVM outperforms GRM during turn-on, while GRM proves superior during turn-off switching. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that simple two-level control strategies capture the vast majority of theoretical savings, yielding diminishing returns for higher-resolution control. The impact of increased conduction losses due to reduced on-state gate voltages in GVM topologies is quantified and proven negligible. Finally, the loss model is experimentally verified via thermal measurements on an H-bridge in continuous operation, confirming the predicted efficiency gains.
Further data
| Item Type: | Article in a journal |
|---|---|
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Institutions of the University: | Faculties > Faculty of Engineering Science > Chair Mechatronics > Chair Mechatronics - Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Mark-M. Bakran Profile Fields > Advanced Fields > Advanced Materials Profile Fields > Emerging Fields > Energy Research and Energy Technology Research Institutions > Research Units > Zentrum für Energietechnik - ZET |
| Result of work at the UBT: | Yes |
| DDC Subjects: | 600 Technology, medicine, applied sciences > 620 Engineering |
| Date Deposited: | 16 Apr 2026 07:29 |
| Last Modified: | 16 Apr 2026 07:29 |
| URI: | https://eref.uni-bayreuth.de/id/eprint/96802 |