Multi-Level Converter Gate Driving With Split Switching Speeds
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gate driver systems for multi-level converter systems face a trade-off between switching losses and electromagnetic interferences, with fast switching reducing losses but increasing noise, and slow switching reducing noise but increasing losses, necessitating the use of filtering means.
Innovation Solution
The method involves configuring gate driver units into overlap-free subsets with different switching speeds to optimize switching losses and electromagnetic interferences, eliminating the need for filtering means by assigning specific switching speeds and control signals to each subset of switching modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If fast switching is used for switching modules, then switching losses are reduced, but electromagnetic interferences increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gate driver system is divided into multiple gate driver units that can be independently controlled. Each gate driver unit can operate at different switching speeds, allowing the system to segment the switching operations across multiple units with different speed characteristics to balance losses and emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different gate driver units are assigned different switching speeds based on local requirements. Some units operate at high speed to minimize switching losses in critical positions, while others operate at lower speeds to reduce electromagnetic interferences in sensitive areas of the system.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If slow switching is used for switching modules, then electromagnetic interferences are reduced, but switching losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments switching operations across multiple gate driver units, allowing slow switching to be applied only where electromagnetic interference reduction is prioritized, while other segments maintain fast switching to minimize energy losses.
Solution Approach 2:
Gate driver units in positions where electromagnetic interference is more problematic are assigned slower switching speeds, while units in positions where efficiency is critical maintain faster switching speeds, creating local quality differences in switching behavior.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If filtering means are added to reduce electromagnetic interferences, then noise is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electromagnetic interference reduction function from separate filtering hardware and integrates it into the gate driver control system. By using control signals to manage switching speeds, the filtering function is achieved through software/control logic rather than additional physical filtering components.
Solution Approach 2:
Physical filtering means are replaced with an electronic control system that manages switching speeds. Instead of using hardware filters to reduce electromagnetic interference, the system uses intelligent control of gate driver units to minimize interference at the source through speed modulation.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method for operating a gate driver system for a multi-level converter system. The multi-level converter system has a number of cascaded switching modules. The gate driver system comprises at least two gate driver units, each being configured to operate an associated switching module. The method comprises providing at least a first subset and a second subset of gate driver units and assigning a first switching speed to the gate driver units of the first subset and a second switching speed to the gate driver units of the second subset. A first switching control signal is provided to the switching modules being associated with the gate driver units of the first subset and a second switching control signal is provided to the switching modules being associated with the gate driver units of the second subset.