System Solution Guide: Traction Inverters

This comprehensive guide examines both SiC and IGBT technologies for traction inverter applications and will help you develop optimized solutions.

Review of Traction Inverter Requirements, Including Conversion Efficiency and Peak Power

Examination of Key Market Trends

Traction Inverter Architectures and Design Solutions

Product Selection Guides for Discretes, Gate Drivers, Modules, and Evaluation Boards

Guide Overview

The AC motor is the primary load on the high-voltage battery in battery electric vehicles (BEVs). To operate, the motor depends on a traction inverter, which converts the battery’s DC power into AC power. As the core of a BEV, the traction inverter enables the torque and acceleration required to propel the vehicle forward.

Currently, many BEVs and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) utilize IGBT technology. However, the advent of silicon carbide (SiC) technology has unlocked new levels of efficiency and performance. While both IGBT and SiC are viable choices for traction inverters, several factors influence the overall efficiency and performance of the traction system.

This system solution guide from onsemi examines the traction inverter application, exploring both IGBT and SiC technologies to help develop an optimized semiconductor solution.