SiC inverter evaluation system demonstrates increased EV efficiency and range

Pre-Switch has announced its CleanWave 200kW SiC automotive inverter evaluation system that allows power design engineers to investigate the precision of the company’s soft switching architecture and platform over fluctuating load, temperature, device tolerance and degradation conditions.

The company’s platform, including the Pre-Drive3 controller board, powered by the Pre-Flex FPGA, and RPG gate driver board, practically excludes switching losses, allowing fast switching at 100kHz, significantly enhancing low torque motor efficiency. High switching frequency also decreases motor copper and iron losses. For electric vehicles this provides a massive increase in range of 5-12%. The solution also helps industrial motors, solar, wind and traction applications or other power converter need greater than 100kW that looks to lessen costs and improve efficiency.

Comments Bruce T. Renouard, CEO, Pre-Switch: “With Pre-Switch, critical design challenges hindering EV adoption, have been solved. 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.”