1200V cascaded HVIC gate driver for three-level neutral-point-clamped inverter IPM

This paper proposes a new 1200V cascaded high voltage IC (HVIC) gate drive circuit for a three-level NPC inverter intelligent power module (IPM). The proposed single-ground IGBT gate driver of the 1200V three-level NPC inverter is based on a bootstrap capacitor charging method and a cascaded 600V HVIC configuration which can dramatically improve its integration for practical use, especially system air conditioner application. The proposed approach possibly enables high-volume production, low cost, and increased reliability of the 1200V three-phase inverter IPMs. Simulation and experimental results of a 1200V 30A three-level NPC inverter IPM are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed 1200V cascaded HVIC gate drive circuit for the 1200V three-level NPC inverter IPM.