Performance Evaluation of WBG-based Devices in VSIs and CSIs

Abstract

This paper introduces a SPICE-based evaluation platform for wide band-gap (WBG) devices based voltage source inverter (VSI) and current source inverter (CSI). VSI topology has dominated motor drive system for decades. Significant problems caused by drop-in replacement of WBG switches in VSIs were identified in previous studies. As an alternative solution, CSI shows greater compatibility with fast-switching WBG-based devices. Gallium Nitride (GaN) as one of most promising candidate in future power electronics field is selected for evaluation purpose in this work. Estimation of switching loss of VSI and CSI switches have been made based on tailored VSI and CSI DPT. In addition, the system efficiency comparison between GaN-based CSI and VSI is addressed. The LTspice is used as evaluation/simulation platform to examine the performance of VSI and CSI under high-frequency operation.