Adaptive Gate Drive Resistance for Inverter RF Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrified vehicles emit electromagnetic interference that affects radio equipment and digital communication, and existing solutions like shielding and external antennas increase costs and drag, while varying gate drive resistance to reduce interference increases inverter losses and affects fuel economy.
Innovation Solution
An automotive power system with a controller that actively varies the gate drive resistance of a switch in an inverter based on inputs such as radio source, received signal strength, packet loss, drive mode, motor torque, radio volume, and emissions interference to balance switching performance and radio frequency interference, using a dedicated integrated circuit for optimal gate driver performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If gate drive resistance is increased to reduce radio frequency interference emissions, then radio reception is improved, but inverter losses increase and fuel economy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of gate drive resistance based on real-time radio signal conditions. The controller monitors radio reception quality and packet loss, then adaptively varies the gate drive resistance to optimize the balance between RF interference reduction and inverter efficiency, rather than using a fixed resistance value
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameter (gate drive resistance) of the power converter switches based on radio communication conditions. By varying this parameter according to received signal strength and packet loss metrics, the system optimizes both power conversion efficiency and radio frequency interference characteristics
2Loss of energy
If gate drive resistance is decreased to improve switching performance and reduce inverter losses, then fuel economy is improved, but radio frequency interference emissions increase and radio reception deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts gate drive resistance based on real-time radio conditions. When radio reception is poor or packet loss is high, the controller increases gate drive resistance to reduce RF interference, and when conditions are good, it decreases resistance to optimize switching performance and reduce losses
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback from radio communication metrics (received signal strength, packet loss) to control the gate drive resistance. The controller continuously monitors these parameters and adjusts the resistance accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that balances power efficiency and RF interference based on actual communication conditions
3Object-affected harmful factors
If shielding and external antennas are used to reduce radio frequency interference, then radio reception is improved, but vehicle cost and aerodynamic drag increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical shielding and antenna modifications with an electrical control solution. Instead of adding mechanical shielding materials or external antenna components, the system uses electronic control of switch parameters to reduce RF interference, thereby avoiding increased weight and aerodynamic drag
Data Source
AI summary
An automotive vehicle includes an electric machine, a power converter that powers the electric machine and includes a switch having an adjustable gate drive resistance, a source of audio, and a controller that varies the gate drive resistance according to a received signal strength associated with the source of audio.