Loss modeling and comparison of VSI and RB-IGBT based CSI in traction drive applications

This paper presents a study of loss modeling and comparison of a voltage source inverter (VSI) with a boost/buck converter and a current source inverter (CSI) with a V-I converter for electric vehicle (EV) traction drive applications. A comparison of the inverter losses for controlling an interior permanent magnet motor in an EV under two US EPA driving schedules is carried out. The results indicate the CSI using the currently available reverse-blocking (RB) IGBTs has lower losses for most of the vehicle operating points over the aggressive driving schedule, resulting in a reduction of 18.8 % in the accumulated energy loss at the end of the test cycle, while for the other less aggressive schedule a moderate reduction of 7.3 % is achieved.