Systems and methods for integrated gate driver for inverter for electric vehicle
A system includes: an inverter configured to convert DC power from a battery to AC power to drive a motor, wherein the inverter includes: a first power module including: a first connection; a second connection; a first power switch including a first gate terminal, the first power switch configured to control a first flow of current between the first connection and the second connection based on a first signal to the first gate terminal; and a first point-of-use controller configured to provide the first signal to the first gate terminal to control the first power switch.
1. A system comprising:
an inverter configured to convert DC power from a battery to AC power to drive a motor, wherein the inverter includes:
a first power module including:
a first connection;
a second connection;
a first power switch including a first gate terminal, the first power switch configured to control a first flow of current between the first connection and the second connection based on a first signal to the first gate terminal; and
a first point-of-use controller configured to provide the first signal to the first gate terminal to control the first power switch.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first power module further comprises:
a third connection;
a second power switch including a second gate terminal, the second power switch configured to control a second flow of current between the third connection and the second connection based on a second signal to the second gate terminal; and
a second point-of-use controller configured to provide the second signal to the second gate terminal to control the second power switch.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the first connection is configured to be connected to a positive terminal of the battery, the second connection is configured to be connected to a phase terminal of the motor, and the third connection is configured to be connected to a negative terminal of the battery.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first power module further comprises:
a command pin,
wherein the first point-of-use controller is further configured to receive a gate command via the command pin, and provide the first signal to the first gate terminal, based on the received gate command.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first power switch includes one or more silicon carbide dies.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first point-of-use controller includes a first gate drive controller and a second gate drive controller.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the inverter further includes:
a second power module; and
a third power module.
8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
the battery configured to supply the DC power to the inverter; and
the motor configured to receive the AC power from the inverter to drive the motor.
9. A system including:
a power module for an inverter for an electric vehicle, the power module comprising:
a first connection;
a second connection;
a first power switch including a first gate terminal, the first power switch configured to control a first flow of current between the first connection and the second connection based on a first signal to the first gate terminal; and
a first point-of-use controller configured to provide the first signal to the first gate terminal to control the first power switch.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the power module further comprises:
a third connection;
a second power switch including a second gate terminal, the second power switch configured to control a second flow of current between the third connection and the second connection based on a second signal to the second gate terminal; and
a second point-of-use controller configured to provide the second signal to the second gate terminal to control the second power switch.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the first connection is configured to be connected to a positive terminal of a battery of the electric vehicle, the second connection is configured to be connected to a phase terminal of a motor of the electric vehicle, and the third connection is configured to be connected to a negative terminal of the battery.
12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the power module further comprises:
a command pin,
wherein the first point-of-use controller is further configured to receive a gate command via the command pin, and provide the first signal to the first gate terminal, based on the received gate command.
13. The system of claim 9 , wherein the first power switch includes one or more silicon carbide dies.
14. The system of claim 9 , wherein the first point-of-use controller includes a first gate drive controller and a second gate drive controller.
15. A system comprising:
a point-of-use controller for a power module for an inverter, the point-of-use controller configured to:
receive a gate command; and
generate a signal for a gate terminal of a power switch of the power module, based on the received gate command.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the point-of-use controller is further configured to:
receive a sensing signal from the power switch; and
generate the signal for the gate terminal based on the received sensing signal.
17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the point-of-use controller is further configured to:
control a current through the power switch using the signal for the gate terminal.
18. The system of claim 15 , wherein the point-of-use controller is further configured to:
sense a gate-to-source voltage of the power switch during one or more of a turn-on event of the power switch or a turn-off event of the power switch.
19. The system of claim 15 , wherein the point-of-use controller is further configured to generate the signal for the gate terminal based on one or more of a variation in intrinsic parameters of the power switch, a parameter drift over a life of the power switch, or an operating temperature of the power switch.
20. The system of claim 15 , wherein the point-of-use controller is configured to control a first group of silicon carbide dies of the power switch and to control a second group of silicon carbide dies of the power switch independently from the first group.