AbstractThis brief proposes an improved pulse width modulation (PWM) scheme, which uses diode voltage clamping characteristics to achieve the direct control of three‐phase current source converter without any logical transformation. Compared with the traditional indirect carrier modulation scheme—mapping‐PWM, the proposed scheme can solve the disadvantages of low DC current utilization, high switching loss, and complex control process. The generation mechanism of IPWM is analyzed in this brief. Then, based on the generation mechanism, the output characteristics of the system under IPWM are analyzed and compared with the traditional modulation scheme. Finally, the experimental results verify the effectiveness the proposed modulation scheme.