Traction inverter testing

Solutions for traction inverter testing

The traction inverter is a vital element in the electric drivetrain that takes the DC electrical power from the battery pack and delivers AC power to the motor. It is responsible for accurately, safely and efficiently controlling the motor, thereby improving driving range, responsiveness, smoothness, traction and handling.

Traction inverter designers face numerous challenges, such as minimizing switching losses, maximizing thermal efficiency and ensuring EMI compliance when using wide-bandgap, high voltage semiconductors. These challenges can be better addressed with a robust test approach using optimum equipment.

Your EV inverter testing challenges

The traction inverter consists of three fundamental components:

DC-DC boost converter
DC-Link capacitor
DC-AC inverter

Each component and the overall module face a range of design challenges, including:

Minimizing switching losses and maximizing thermal efficiency
Verifying stability under different loads and environmental conditions
Ensuring maximum efficiency at high switching frequencies and multiple output voltages
Ensuring correct switch timings to verify control algorithms
Achieving EMI compliance when using new wide-bandgap semiconductors

High performance solutions for EV inverter testing

Rohde & Schwarz offers a comprehensive solution portfolio for traction inverter testing:

Fast-sampling multi-channel oscilloscopes featuring a multitude of test applications from RF switching analysis and power efficiency optimization to gate driver characterization and power integrity
Trigger and decode of CAN, LIN and Ethernet protocols, enabling capture and identification of digital errors
High-precision impedance analysis for measuring ESL to nH and ESR to µOhm over a wide frequency range with excellent repeatability
Double-pulse tester system with PE Systems, able to characterize high voltage Si, SiC and GaN semiconductors
Fast and convenient EMI debugging using oscilloscope and probes
Isolated probing system with exceptional common mode rejection ratio (CMRR) delivering superior performance in environments with high electromagnetic interference

Benefits of our EV inverter test solutions

Versatility of multi channel, high performance oscilloscopes and probes reduce costs
Early validation with accurate impedance analyzers minimizes risk of DC link capacitor overheating and voltage spikes
Early identification of inefficiencies allows for fast optimization

Do you have any questions?

Products for traction inverter testing

MXO 5 oscilloscope

Key facts:

8 channels with 2 GHz bandwidth
World’s fastest oscilloscope with > 4.5 million wfms/s
Industry-leading architecture with 18-bit vertical resolution

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Zurich Instruments MFIA impedance analyzer

Key facts:

Accurately measures very low and high impedance from 1 mΩ to 1 TΩ
Precisely measures impedance frequency response from 1mHz to 5 MHz
LabOne software and toolset including Scope, Sweeper, and Spectrum Analyzer

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R&S®RT-ZISO isolated probing system

Key facts:

> 90 dB common mode rejection ratio at 1 GHz
± 3000 V differential input range and offset
± 60 kV common mode range

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EMI test receivers

Key facts:

Supports the full range of commercial, automotive and military EMI standards
Allows for fast testing with high speed FFT based time domain scan
Coverage of all required frequency ranges, up to 44 GHz, with frequencies up to 500 GHz supported by external mixers

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DC power supplies

Key facts:

Fits wide variety of test and measurement scenarios
Offerings ranging from basic bench models to high performance products that can easily power industrial labs
Comes with modular capabilities for customization and upgrades

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