Measurement of in-situ currents in a hybrid electric vehicle integrated power module using giant magnetoresistive sensors

Current hybrid electric vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius, use integrated power electronics modules (IPEM) to reduce cost, package size and interconnects. The Prius´ dual inverter module allows power to flow directly from generator drive to motor drive precluding external measurement of that branch current. A highly sensitive giant magneto resistive effect (GMR) point field detector is used for in-situ current measurement directly inside the IPEM module.