Multi-Objective Analysis of Pulse-Width Modulation Techniques for Five-Phase Inverters

Abstract:
In traction applications, particularly in transport electrification, multiphase drives are becoming an alternative to their three-phase counterparts due to a range of advantages outweighing the additional cost, e.g. smoother torque performance, higher current capability, enhanced fault tolerance, and higher efficiency. In this context, it is interesting to reevaluate the modulation techniques in order to account for the particularities of multiphase systems. In this work the most widely used modulation techniques are assessed, but assuming a five-phase arrangement, in terms of several well-established figures-of-merit pertaining to the inverter power losses, input performance (current RMS, voltage ripple), and output performance (current ripple and common-mode voltage). Thus, this work provides a global vision of how the selected modulation technique, as well as the modulation index and the load’s current phase angle, affect the performance of the multiphase electric motor drive systems.