Comparative Analysis Between Two-Level and Three-Level DC/AC Electric Vehicle Traction Inverters Using a Novel DC-Link Voltage Balancing Algorithm
Abstract
This paper presents an extensive comparative study between a two- and three-level inverter for electric vehicle traction applications. An advanced control strategy for balancing the two dc-link capacitors is also proposed. In this paper, the main focus is on the total voltage harmonic distortion (%THDv), the analytical derivation of the three-level capacitor currents, and the voltage balancing of two capacitor voltages. For generating the gate signals, space vector pulse width modulation (SV-PWM) is used. The developed voltage-balancing scheme helps to reduce the number of converter switching sequences, compared with the conventional SV-PWM strategy, and keeps the voltage difference between the two dc-link capacitors at the desired voltage level. The developed test-bench is used for a permanent magnet synchronous machine drive for electric vehicle (EV) applications. Detailed simulation studies are performed using MATLAB/Simulink block set and experimental verification is achieved using dSpace based real-time simulator. Both the simulation and experimental results show a significant improvement in reduction of total harmonic distortion (%THDv) for the three-level inverter.
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Multilevel inverters have challenges including voltage balancing, increased number of semiconductors and capacitors, and more complex control.
“However, voltage balancing, increased number of semiconductors and capacitors, and more complex control are the most important challenges in multilevel inverters [19].”
From A Review of Multilevel Inverter Topologies in Electric Vehicles: Current Status and Future Trends (2021) · cites this paper as [19]
Multilevel inverters have advantages including reduced voltage stress and loss of each individual semiconductor device, better power quality, and lower electromagnetic interference.
“Reduced voltage stress and loss of each individual semiconductor device, better power quality, and lower electromagnetic interference are among the foremost advantages of multilevel inverters.”
From A Review of Multilevel Inverter Topologies in Electric Vehicles: Current Status and Future Trends (2021) · cites this paper as [19]
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A Review of Multilevel Inverter Topologies in Electric Vehicles: Current Status and Future Trends
Poorfakhraei, A., Narimani, M., & Emadi, A. (2021) · IEEE Open Journal of Power Electronics · doi:10.1109/ojpel.2021.3063550 · Cited by 424 · see citing works
“ing, increased number of semiconductors and capacitors, and more complex control are the most important challenges in multilevel inverters [19].”
BackgroundModular Multilevel Converters for Transportation Electrification: Challenges and Opportunities
Ronanki, D., & Williamson, S. S. (2018) · IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification · doi:10.1109/tte.2018.2792330 · Cited by 345 · see citing works
Self-citationA Review of Modulation and Control Techniques for Multilevel Inverters in Traction Applications
Poorfakhraei, A., Narimani, M., & Emadi, A. (2021) · IEEE Access · doi:10.1109/access.2021.3056612 · Cited by 179 · see citing works
Chen, Y., Li, Z., Zhao, S., Wei, X., & Kang, Y. (2017) · IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Power Electronics · doi:10.1109/jestpe.2016.2632858 · Cited by 111 · see citing works
Ronanki, D., & Williamson, S. S. (2019) · IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification · doi:10.1109/tte.2018.2884610 · Cited by 106 · see citing works
Self-citation
- Authors
- Choudhury, A., Pillay, P., & Williamson, S. S.
- Affiliations
- Concordia University (CA)
- Venue
- IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Power Electronics
- Published
- 2014-09
- Volume
- 2
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 529-540
- ISSN
- 2168-6777 (ISSN-L)
- 2168-6785
- OpenAlex
- W2090504577
- Cited by
- 135
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 3
- FWCI
- 7.79
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- IEEE Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Power Electronics (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
- Hydro-Quebec
- Connect Canada
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Multilevel Inverters and Converters
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Sensorless Control of Electric Motors
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Electromagnetic Compatibility and Noise Suppression
- Keywords
- electric vehicle traction inverter, three-level inverter, two-level inverter, DC-link voltage balancing, capacitor voltage balancing, total harmonic distortion, space vector modulation, permanent magnet synchronous motor, real-time simulation
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