Comparative Analysis of 2-Level and 3-Level Voltage Source Inverters in Traction Applications

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis and comparison between the 2-level voltage source inverter, 3-level neutral point clamped, and 3-level active neutral point clamped inverters in traction inverters. In this comparison Silicon Carbide MOSFET, Gallium Nitride MOSFET and Silicon IGBT are employed. An analytical method for calculating the inverter power loss is also presented in this paper. Simulation results are conducted using MATLAB/Simulink and PLECS at different operating conditions. A permanent magnet synchronous motor is used as the load. The analysis and comparison have been conducted at different operating points regarding the speed and torque. The performance of each inverter topology is also investigated at different switching frequencies for these operating conditions. Moreover, two drive cycle analyses are also studied and included in this paper.