200kW SiC inverter evaluation board uses AI to reduce battery size and weight
The SiC-based board uses artificial intelligence (AI) to optimise the performance in automotive as well as solar, wind and other traction applications above 100kW.
Pre-Switch’s platform, including the Pre-Drive3 controller board, powered by the Pre-Flex FPGA and RPG gate driver board, aims to eliminate switching losses with switching at 100kHz. This significantly improves low torque motor efficiency. High switching frequency also reduces motor copper and iron losses. For electric vehicles this results in a massive increase in range of 5-12%. The SiC soft-switching system also benefits industrial motors, solar, wind and traction applications or any other power converter requirement greater than 100kW that is looking to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
“With Pre-Switch, critical design challenges hindering EV adoption, have been solved,” said Bruce Renouard, CEO of Pre-Switch. “Previously, the limited switching frequency of inverters resulted in a distortion of the output power sine wave causing excessive motor inefficiencies. Our CleanWave inverter evaluation system – which is available to pre-order now – uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to constantly-adjust the relative timing of elements within the switching system required to force a resonance to offset the current and voltage wave forms – thereby minimizing switching losses and increasing EV range.”
Pre-Switch’s forced-resonant soft-switching topology replaces the traditional IGBT driver or SiC driver with a common intelligent controller board, Pre-Drive3, and a specific plug-in RPG (Resonant Power Gate) module optimized for the customer’s chosen SiC or IGBT package. The Pre-Switch architecture increases efficiency and range, while reducing size and weight. A video explaining the technology and its application to EVs is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VN2sp0D79oc&t=82s
