PA/MA – Hardware and Software Development for Traction Inverters in Electrical Vehicles

The ever-increasing number of electric vehicles (EVs) is a remarkable ongoing change in the industry. Currently, most EVs use the primary two-level converters (B6) with a dc-link voltage maximum of up to 800V. To reach larger power ratings and faster charging (up to MW), some manufacturers are looking for a powertrain solution with a dc-link voltage beyond 1 kV. In such a case, three-level converters, like neutral point clamped converters, are preferred since the high voltage stress is distributed over the series-connected switches. However, the hardware design and the control and modulation design of three-level converters are more complicated than that of two-level converters. This research project aims to prototype a three-level converter and develop its control software.

The Task for the student: Depending on the interest and background knowledge of the candidate, the main Task can be either a) supporting the hardware development or b) supporting the software (control and modulation) development.

Required prior knowledge: Fundamentals about power electronics, fundamentals of control, pulse width modulation.

Required software skill: MATLAB/Simulink or PLECS, Altium Designer or any PCB design software (only required for Task a: hardware design).

Betreuer: Qifan Yang (qifan.yang@iisb.fraunhofer.de)

Für Studienfächer: EEI, Mechatronik, Energietechnik, Elektromobilität-ACES

Frühest möglicher Beginn: 01.06.2024

Verantwortlicher: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin März