Modular design method for motor drives

This paper introduces the concept of modular design methodology for hardware design and development of motor drives. The modular design process is first introduced separating the hardware development into three parts: controller, mother board and phase-leg module. The control and circuit function can be decoupled from the phase-leg module development. The hardware update can be simplified with the phase-leg module development and verification. Two design examples are used to demonstrate this method: a DC-fed motor drive with Si IGBTs and an AC-fed motor drive with SiC devices. Design of DC-fed motor drive aims at developing the converter with customized IGBT package for high temperature. Experience with development of the converter with commercial IGBTs simplifies the process. As the AC-fed motor drive is a more complex topology using more advanced devices, the modular design method can simplify and improve the development especially for new packaged devices. Also, the modular design method can help to study the electromagnetic interference (EMI) issue for motor drives, which is presented with an extra design example.