System and method for controlling a multi-phase inverter of an electric machine

A method for controlling a multi-phase power inverter, comprising:

• integrating a hybrid switch power module into a phase leg of the multi-phase power inverter;
• generating, via a gate controller, a first control signal for controlling a first semiconductor switch of the hybrid switch power module via gate driver and a first variable resistance circuit, the first control signal selected to achieve a first switching transient in the first semiconductor switch;
• generating, via the gate controller, a second control signal for controlling a second semiconductor switch of the hybrid switch power module via the gate driver and a second variable resistance circuit, the second control signal selected to achieve a second switching transient in the second semiconductor switch;
• and
• generating the first control signal and the second control signal to synchronize the first switching transient in the first semiconductor switch with the second switching transient in the second semiconductor switch;
• wherein the first control signal for controlling the first semiconductor switch to achieve the first switching transient in the first semiconductor switch includes a first slew rate command;
• and
• wherein the second control signal for controlling the second semiconductor switch to achieve the second switching transient in the second semiconductor switch includes a second slew rate command.

A vehicle system, comprising:

• a gate drive system, a multi-phase power inverter, and an electric machine;
• the multi-phase power inverter being operatively connected to the electric machine via a plurality of phase legs;
• the gate drive system including a gate controller, a gate drive circuit, and a plurality of hybrid switch power modules;
• wherein the hybrid switch power modules are integrated into the plurality of phase legs of the multi-phase inverter;
• wherein each of the hybrid switch power modules includes a first semiconductor switch connected in parallel with a second semiconductor switch between a power rail and an AC power link of the phase leg of the multi-phase inverter, the first semiconductor switch having a first set of performance characteristics and the second semiconductor switch having a second set of performance characteristics differing at least partially from the first set of performance characteristics;
• wherein the gate drive circuit includes a gate driver, a first variable resistance circuit that is operatively connected to the first semiconductor switch, and a second variable resistance circuit that is operatively connected to the second semiconductor switch;
• wherein the gate controller generates a first control signal for controlling the first semiconductor switch via the gate driver and the first variable resistance circuit, the first control signal selected to achieve a first switching transient in the first semiconductor switch;
• wherein the gate controller generates a second control signal for controlling the second semiconductor switch via the gate driver and the second variable resistance circuit, the second control signal selected to achieve a second switching transient in the second semiconductor switch;
• and
• wherein the gate controller generates the first control signal and the second control signal to synchronize the first switching transient in the first semiconductor switch with the second switching transient in the second semiconductor switch.