Traction inverter testing

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

Información del producto

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

More information

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

Información del producto

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

Información del producto

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

Información del producto

Traction inverter testing content on Knowledge+

Webinar: Traction inverter testing, verification and debugging for optimized efficiency

Discover a holistic testing approach can optimize traction inverter efficiency.

Register now

Webinar: Optimize electric drivetrain efficiency using power analyzers and oscilloscopes

Understand how to characterize electric drivetrain power efficiency and debug components.

More information

Application video: Low-ESL/ESR measurements of DC-link capacitors

Learn how to characterize the ESR and ESL of electric vehicle traction inverter DC-link capacitors.

Watch Video

Application card: Optimizing electric drivetrains with MXO oscilloscopes

Improve electric drivetrain performance, efficiency and reliability with MXO oscilloscopes.

More information

Application card: Measuring ESR and ESL of DC-link capacitors

Understand how to accurately measure the ESR and ESL of DC link capacitors over a wide frequency range.

More information

Free poster: Electric drivetrain evolution - From past to future

Get an overview of electric drivetrain technology developments and how to test them.

More information

eGuide: Double pulse testing

Get a comprehensive overview of double pulse testing, including the measurement setup and relevant parameters.

More information

Related traction inverter testing solutions

EMI pre-compliance testing

Take the risk out of EMI compliance tests with the best possible preparation.

More information

Battery management system (BMS) testing

Optimize EV power range and efficiency with effective BMS testing.

More information

Sign up for our newsletter

Stay up to date with the latest news, information and resources

Sign up for our automotive newsletter

Solicitar información

¿Tiene preguntas o necesita información adicional? Simplemente complete este formulario y nos pondremos en contacto con usted.

Permiso de marketing

Se ha enviado su solicitud. Nos pondremos en contacto con usted lo antes posible.
An error is occurred, please try it again later.