ABSTRACT This article features a comprehensive methodology for analyzing and optimizing PWM dead time in automotive traction inverters, applicable to a wide range of power devices, including Si IGBT/Diodes, SiC MOSFETs, and Si/SiC Fusion switches. The proposed methodology enables a systematic comparison of dead time characteristics, focusing on part‐to‐part tolerances and operating point‐dependent influence factors. Three traction inverter systems, each in the 200–300 kW class at 470 V, were built up utilizing Si IGBT/Diode, SiC MOSFET, and Si/SiC Fusion switches from the latest automotive‐released technology. The impact of PWM dead times on power losses was experimentally investigated for all three inverter systems, supporting the analytical model. Key findings from the experimental data include: (1) PWM dead times can account for more than 10% of the total inverter power losses in high current density SiC MOSFET inverter designs operating at typical automotive switching frequencies of 10 kHz; (2) Optimizing PWM dead times in Si/SiC Fusion power modules leads to up to a 5% reduction in total inverter power losses and improved current sharing, resulting in lower thermal stress—This was evaluated using thermal infrared measurements from the Si/SiC Fusion inverter prototype; 3) Optimized PWM dead times can reduce total harmonic distortion at light load conditions by up to 2%–3% for IGBT/Diode and up to 4%–5% for SiC MOSFET and Si/SiC Fusion inverter systems; (4) A sensitivity study in addition revealed that Si/SiC Fusion switches exhibit the most stable dead time settings under parameter variations. The benefit of optimized versus conventional 2 PWM dead times would result in an annual energy saving of approximately 6 GWh per 1 million vehicles. This highlights the significance of optimized PWM dead times in automotive traction inverters operating at typical switching frequencies of 10 kHz. The goal of this investigation is to support the development of reliable and efficient automotive traction inverters, with the methods presented being applicable to other applications as well.
Reiter et al. (Thu,) studied this question.