Digitally controlled switching DC-DC converters have recently emerged as an attractive alternative to conventional switching converters based on analog control techniques. This research focuses on eliminating the issues associated with the state of the art switching converters by proposing three novel control techniques: (1) a digitally controlled Buck-Boost converter uses a fully synthesized constant ON/OFF time-based fractional-N controller to regulate the output over a 3.3V-to-5.5V input voltage range and provides seamless transition from buck to buck-boost modes (2) a hysteretic buck converter that employs a highly digital hybrid voltage/current mode control to regulate output voltage and switching frequency independently (3) a 10MHz continuous time PID controller using time based signal processing which alleviates the speed limitations associated with conventional analog and digital. All the three techniques employ digitally assisted control techniques and require no external compensation thus making the controllers fully integrated and highly cost effective. / Graduation date: 2013 / Access restricted to the OSU Community at author's request from June 25, 2012 - June 25, 2014

The main focus of this thesis is on the power electronic converter system challenges associated with the grid integration of variable-renewable-energy (VRE) sources like wave, marine current, tidal, wind, solar etc. Wave energy conversion with grid integration is used as the key reference, considering its high energy potential to support the future clean energy requirements and due the availability of a test facility at Uppsala University. The emphasis is on the DC-link power conditioning and grid coupling of direct driven wave energy converters (DDWECs). The DDWEC reflects the random nature of its input energy to its output voltage wave shape. Thereby, it demands for intelligent power conversion techniques to facilitate the grid connection. One option is to improve and adapt an already existing, simple and reliable multilevel power converter technology, using smart control strategies. The proposed WECs to grid interconnection system consists of uncontrolled three-phase rectifiers, three-level boost converter(TLBC) or three-level buck-boost converter (TLBBC) and a three-level neutral point clamped (TLNPC) inverter. A new method for pulse delay control for the active balancing of DC-link capacitor voltages by using TLBC/TLBBC is presented. Duty-ratio and pulse delay control methods are combined for obtaining better voltage regulation at the DC-link and for achieving higher controllability range. The classic voltage balancing problem of the NPC inverter input, is solved efficiently using the above technique. A synchronous current compensator is used for the NPC inverter based grid coupling. Various results from both simulation and hardware testing show that the required power conditioning and power flow control can be obtained from the proposed multilevel multistage converter system. The entire control strategies are implemented in Xilinx Virtex 5 FPGA, inside National Instruments’ CompactRIO system using LabVIEW. A contour based dead-time harmonic analysis method for TLNPC and the possibilities of having various interconnection strategies of WEC-rectifier units to complement the power converter efforts for stabilizing the DC-link, are also presented. An advanced future AC2AC direct power converter system based on Modular multilevel converter (MMC) structure developed at Siemens AG is presented briefly to demonstrate the future trends in this area.

L’utilisation des convertisseurs de puissance dans les applications de transport électrique à base de pile à combustible ouvre les portes de recherche sur la problématique de leur fiabilité puisqu’un défaut dans ces circuits pourrait provoquer une panne ou un disfonctionnement se répercutant sur l’ensemble de la chaine de traction. Le convertisseur statique considéré est un hacheur élévateur à six bras parallèles et entrelacés à fréquence de découpage égale à 100kHz ayant un gain en tension élevé (égal à 5). Il comporte avec le choix des éléments passifs une ondulation de courant d’entrée faible et interface une pile à combustible de 21kW (70V, 300A) et une charge résistive de 350V (valeur proche des réseaux comportant des batteries Li-ion). Ces systèmes incorporent des interrupteurs de puissance semi-conducteurs qui sont les composants les plus fragiles et qui sont soumis à des contraintes électriques et thermiques sévères pour les applications automobiles. L’utilisation de la technologie en carbure de silicium pour ces cellules semi-conductrices élémentaires accompagne un réel besoin industriel des filières de développement des systèmes miniaturisés et intègre les préoccupations des constructeurs automobiles autour de la mise en œuvre opérationnelles des technologies innovantes embarquées et fiables. En effet, cette technologie des composants semi-conducteurs, dit «grand-gap», est à coup sûr un candidat sérieux pour optimiser l’efficacité énergétique et l’intégration de puissance des convertisseurs, pour pile à combustible, plus robustes vis-à-vis des contraintes de l’usage transport. Dans mes travaux de thèse, les défauts de type court-circuit et circuit-ouvert d’interrupteurs de puissance en carbure de silicium sont alors considérés pour satisfaire la continuité de service et annuler l’influence de cette dégradation d’une part sur la source électrochimique et d’autre part sur la charge. Les méthodes de détection proposées sont des méthodes simples et non intrusives. Elles utilisent la tension drain et source VDS de l’interrupteur de puissance comme indicateur de défaut pour juger de la présence d'un court-circuit ou un circuit-ouvert. Le principe de détection consiste à comparer la tension VDS à une tension seuil paramétrable (à fixer pour le composant en carbure de silicium). Une fois la phase inductive défectueuse est identifiée, un processus de de gestion des défauts par la commande est mis en œuvre. Dans le cas de court-circuit une stratégie de soulagement par la commande est appliquée pour adoucir la coupure de courant de la branche inductive en défaut. Puis suivra l’isolation de cette ligne via des interrupteurs spécifiques qui supportent une ouverture du circuit à fort courant (exemple: fusible ultra-rapide) et une reconfiguration par la commande du convertisseur de puissance (passage de 6 à 6-i phases, avec i nombre de défauts). Dans le cas de circuit-ouvert, qui un défaut qui isole automatiquement le bras défectueux, si aucune action préventive n’est planifiée la continuité de service est assurée mais à plus d’ondulations de courant sur les bras du convertisseur statique. Pour éviter cet effet, la reconfiguration par la commande est nécessaire. / The use of power converters in fuel cell electrical transport applications drives research to study the problem of their reliability, since a fault in these circuits could cause a breakdown or a malfunction that affects the entire system of the powertrain. The converter under consideration is a six-phase interleaved boost converter operating in unidirectional power flow in continuous conduction mode with a 100 kHz switching frequency and a high voltage gain (equal to 5). It allows, with the choice of passive elements, a low input current ripple and interfaces a 21kW fuel cell (70V, 300A) and a resistive load of 350V (value close to the networks with batteries Li-ion). These systems contain semiconductor power switches which are the most fragile components and are subject to severe electrical and thermal stresses for automotive applications. The use of silicon carbide technology for these semiconductor components accompanies a real industrial need for development of a miniaturized system and integrates the concerns of manufacturers of electric vehicles around the implementation of innovative, embedded and reliable technologies. Indeed, this technology of semiconductor components is certainly a serious candidate to optimize the energy efficiency and power integration of converters, for fuel cells, more robust against constraints of the transport use. In my thesis work, switch short-circuit and switch open-circuit faults of silicon carbide power switches are considered to satisfy the continuity of service and to cancel the influence of this degradation on both the fuel cell source and the charge. The proposed detection methods are simple and non-intrusive. They use the drain to source voltage VDS of the power switch as a fault indicator to judge the presence or not of a short-circuit or an open-circuit switch fault. The detection principle consists in comparing the VDS voltage with a configurable threshold voltage (to fix it for the silicon carbide component). Once the faulty inductive phase is identified, a fault management process by the control is implemented. In the case of switch short-circuit fault, firstly a control strategy is applied to soften the break of current of the faulty inductive phase. After faulty phase isolation using specific switches that support breaking of the high-current circuit (example: high-speed fuse) and a reconfiguration by the control of the power converter (transition from 6 to 6-i phases, with i number of faults). In the case of switch open-circuit fault, which automatically isolates the defective phase, if any preventive action is planned the continuity of service is ensured but to more current ripple on the arms of the DC/DC converter. To avoid this effect, reconfiguration by the command is necessary.

Resumo: Este trabalho apresenta um novo conversor PWM monofásico CA-CC, com um único estágio de retificação e correção do fator de potência, utilizando a célula de comutação de três estados. É demonstrado o conversor proposto empregando duas destas células, em substituição as configurações convencionais de duplo estágio, um estágio retificador e outro pré-regulador. A célula de comutação de três estados é composta basicamente por dois interruptores ativos, dois passivos e dois indutores acoplados magneticamente. A topologia desta célula permite que apenas metade da potência de entrada seja processada pelos interruptores ativos, reduzindo assim a corrente de pico sobre estes à metade do valor da corrente de pico da entrada, tornando importante para aplicações em potências mais elevadas. O volume dos elementos reativos (indutores e capacitores) é reduzido, pois, por características topológicas, a freqüência da ondulação da corrente e da tensão é o dobro da freqüência de operação dos interruptores, sendo assim, possível operar o conversor com menores freqüências, diminuindo consequentemente as perdas na comutação. As perdas totais são distribuídas entre todos semicondutores, facilitando a dissipação de calor. O paralelismo dos interruptores é muito atraente para a configuração do circuito estudado, possibilitando o uso de interruptores mais baratos. Outra vantagem é possuir uma menor faixa de operação na região de descontinuidade, ou seja, a faixa de operação no modo de condução contínua é ampliada. É realizado um estudo do conversor boost CC-CC operando com razão cíclica (0 < D < 0,5) e (0,5 < D < 1). Em seguida este conversor é empregado, operando em toda faixa de variação da razão cíclica (0 LÜD LÜ1), no conversor CA-CC de estágio único. O circuito do conversor em questão funciona em malha fechada utilizando o circuito integrado UC3854 para... / Abstract: This work presents a new AC-to-DC PWM single-phase converter, with only one stage including rectification and power factor correction, using the three-state switching cell. It is demonstrated the proposed converter using two of these cells, instead of the conventional configurations that use a rectifier stage and a high-frequency pre-regulator. The three-state switching cell comprises two active switches, two diodes and two coupled inductors. In this topology only part of the input energy is processed by the active switches, reducing the peak current in these switches in a half of the peak value of the input current, making this topology suitable to the operation in larger power levels. The volume of the power reactive elements (inductors and capacitors) is also decreased since the ripple frequency on the output is twice the switching frequency. For a smaller operating frequency, the switching losses are decreased. Due to the topology of the converter, the total losses are distributed among all semiconductors, facilitating the heat dissipation. The parallelism of switches is very attractive for the studied configuration, facilitating the use of cheaper switches. Another advantage of this converter is the smaller region to operate in discontinuous conduction mode or, in other words, the operation range in continuous conduction mode is enlarged. It is developed a study of the DC-to-DC boost converter operating with duty (0 < D < 0,5) and (0,5 < D < 1). Then, this converter was used in full variation range of the duty-cycle (0 < D < 1) in the AC-to-DC single-stage converter. The circuit of this issue converter works with a feedback control line using the integrated circuit UC3854 to do the control in continuous conduction mode for input current with instantaneous average mode. Besides the mathematical analysis and development through... / Orientador: Falcondes José Mendes de Seixas / Coorientador: Grover Victor Torrico Bascopé / Banca: Fabio Toshiaki Wakabayashi / Banca: João Onofre Pereira Pinto / Mestre

Boost dc-to-dc converters have very good source interface properties. The input inductor makes the source current smooth and hence these converters provide very good EMI performance. On account of this good property, the boost converter is also the preferred converter for off-line UPF rectifiers. One of the issues of concern in these converters is the large size of the storage capacitor on the dc link. The boost converter suffers from the disadvantage of discontinuous current injected to the load. The size of the capacitor is therefore large. Further, the ripple current in the capacitor is as much as the load current; hence the ESR specification of the tank capacitor is quite demanding. This is specially so in the emerging application areas of automotive power conversion, where the input voltage is low (typically 12V) and large voltage boost (4 to 5) are desired. The first part of this thesis suggests multi-phase boost converter to overcome the disadvantages of large size storage capacitor in boost converter. Comparison between the specification of single stage and multi-stages is thoroughly examined. Besides the average small signal analysis of N converters in parallel and obtaining an equivalent second order system are discussed. By paralleling the converters the design of closed loop control is a demanding task. To achieve proper current sharing among the stages using current control method is inevitable. Design and implementation of closed loop control of multi-phase boost converter both in analog and digital is the topic of next part of the thesis. Comparison between these two approaches is presented in this part and it will be shown that digital control is more convenient for such a topology on account of the requirement of synchronization, phase shifted operation, current balancing and other desired functions, which will be discussed later in detail. A new direct digital control method, which is simple and fast, is developed. Two different realizations with DSP controller and FPGA controller are considered. In the last part of the thesis a novel soft switching circuit for boost converter is presented. It provides Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) for the main switch and Zero Current Switching (ZCS) for the auxiliary switch. The paper presents the idealized analysis giving all the circuit intervals and the equations necessary for the design of such a circuit. The proposed soft switching circuit is particularly suited for the tapped-inductor boost circuit with a minimum number of extra components. Extension of the method to tapped inductor boost converter addresses the application of Zero Voltage Transition (ZVT) to high conversion ratio converters. Extension of the method to multiphase boost converter shows that with less number of auxiliary switches soft switching operation can be achieved for all interleaved switching devices. Several laboratory prototype boost converters have been built to confirm the theoretical results and design methods are matching with both simulation and experimental results.

Switched mode power supplies (SMPS) have found wide spread acceptance in all power processing applications. The design demand is moving towards higher power densities. For reduction in size and weight, it is imperative to process the power at a higher switching frequency. High switching frequency requires soft switching techniques to reduce the switching losses. Several families of soft switching converters have emerged in the past two decades. Analysis and modelling methods have been proposed in relation with these topologies. Active clamp converters are the recently introduced soft switching topologies. Steady state analysis and model of these converters have been reported in literature. This thesis presents a unified equivalent circuit oriented model for the family of active clamp converters. Analytical expressions for DC conversion ratio in terms of pole current and throw voltage are derived for all the DC-DC converters with active clamp. The special feature is that, the conversion ratio exhibits a load dependent drop (IRd), where I is the pole current and Rd is the damping resistance. The damping resistance Rd is a mathematical artifact to represent the voltage loss on account of delay in the turn-on of the active switch. There is no energy loss associated with this load dependent drop. This is conveniently expressed as an appropriate lossless resistance in the equivalent circuit model. The proposed equivalent circuit models are valid for both steady-state and dynamic performance. A spread sheet based design is presented for the basic DC-DC converters with active clamp. A prototype design following the spreadsheet is made. The performance of the same is validated and verified by simulation and measurements. Steady state and dynamic results are presented. The stability criterion for the active clamp converters under current programming is investigated. The same is verified through simulation and validated on a current programmed active clamp converter prototype. The active clamp converters suffer from a few disadvantages: Higher VA ratings of switches, load dependent ZVS performance and increased component count. Several soft switching topologies have been reported in literature. Efficiency improvement and increase in switching frequency are obtained to different degrees. This thesis proposes a new family of soft switching converters. This family of converters switch at constant frequency and maintains the advantages of traditional PWM converters. The proposed topology employs an auxiliary circuit to achieve soft switching. The auxiliary circuit consists of a dependent voltage source, an auxiliary switch, a series diode and a set of resonant elements (Inductor and capacitor). The switching transitions of both the active switch and the auxiliary switch are lossless. The novelty in the proposed circuit is the method of generating the dependent source required to enable zero current switching of the auxiliary switch. The dependent source is realized by a coupled winding in the energy storage inductor or tapped from the energy transfer transformer of non-isolated and isolated converters respectively. The proposed topology is applicable to most of the isolated and non-isolated DC-DC converters. The circuit equations governing the sub-intervals of the converter are expressed in terms of pole current and throw voltage. With such a definition, performance results and the design equations are identical for all types of DC-DC converters. Equivalent circuit models are obtained for the whole family of DC-DC converters. The proposed model is valid for steady state and dynamic performance. Analytical expressions of DC conversion ratio for all topologies, in terms of pole current and throw voltage are derived. The special feature is that, the conversion ratio exhibits a load dependent drop (IRd), where I is the pole current and Rd is the damping resistance. The damping resistance Rd is a mathematical artifact to represent the voltage loss on account of delay in the turn-on of the active switch. There is no energy loss associated with this load dependent drop. This is conveniently expressed as an appropriate lossless resistance in the equivalent circuit model. Design guidelines are established for the whole family of proposed converters; the same are validated through prototype converters.

This thesis introduces a new photovoltaic (PV) system architecture employing low voltage parallel-connected PV panels interfaced to a high voltage regulated DC bus of a three-phase grid-tied inverter. The concept provides several improvements over existing technologies in terms of cost, safety, reliability, and modularity. A novel resonant mode DC-DC boost converter topology is proposed to enable the PV modules to deliver power to the fixed DC bus. The topology offers high step-up capabilities and a nearly constant efficiency over a wide operating range. A reduced sensor maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller is developed for the converter to maximize energy harvesting of the PV panels. The reduced sensor algorithm can be generally applied to the class of converters employing pulse frequency modulation control. A ZigBee wireless communication system is implemented to provide advanced control, monitoring and protection features. A testbench for a low cost 500 $W$ smart microconverter is designed and implemented, demonstrating the viability of the system architecture.

This thesis introduces a new photovoltaic (PV) system architecture employing low voltage parallel-connected PV panels interfaced to a high voltage regulated DC bus of a three-phase grid-tied inverter. The concept provides several improvements over existing technologies in terms of cost, safety, reliability, and modularity. A novel resonant mode DC-DC boost converter topology is proposed to enable the PV modules to deliver power to the fixed DC bus. The topology offers high step-up capabilities and a nearly constant efficiency over a wide operating range. A reduced sensor maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller is developed for the converter to maximize energy harvesting of the PV panels. The reduced sensor algorithm can be generally applied to the class of converters employing pulse frequency modulation control. A ZigBee wireless communication system is implemented to provide advanced control, monitoring and protection features. A testbench for a low cost 500 $W$ smart microconverter is designed and implemented, demonstrating the viability of the system architecture.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Este trabalho apresenta o estudo, desenvolvimento e aplicação de novas técnicas de controle aos sistemas de geração de energia fotovoltaica, conectados à rede elétrica monofásica, visando a melhoria da eficiência destes sistemas em relação aos métodos de controle tipicamente utilizados. O trabalho é dividido em duas partes principais, as quais estão relacionadas ao rastreamento do ponto de máxima potência (Maximum Power Point Tracking – MPPT) e, depois, ao controlador interno dos conversores boost-quadrático – lado dos painéis fotovoltaicos – assim como aos controladores do inversor de tensão, no lado da rede elétrica monofásica. A primeira parte do trabalho consiste no desenvolvimento de um algoritmo de meta heurística para o MPPT, o qual é baseado no método do recozimento simulado (Simulated Annealing - SA) e tem como objetivo a determinação do ponto de máximo global, buscando soluções fora de uma vizinhança próxima, de modo a evitar o atracamento em máximos locais da curva de potência de saída do arranjo de painéis fotovoltaicos, melhorando, assim, o aproveitamento da energia em situações de sombreamento parcial. A segunda parte do trabalho apresenta o projeto de controladores baseados no modelo interno (Internal Model Control – IMC) com 1 grau de liberdade (1 Degree of Freedom – 1 DOF) aplicados, primeiramente, ao conversor CC-CC Boost Quadrático, utilizado para o MPPT, e, posteriormente, a um inversor de tensão com filtro LCL, conectado à rede elétrica monofásica, operando no modo de injeção de corrente. É apresentada a modelagem matemática de ambos os conversores e analisada a compensação da realimentação interna ao sistema do inversor de tensão, correspondente ao desacoplamento da tensão da rede, através da estratégia de alimentação à frente (Feedforward). Visando-se uma base de comparação, para a análise de desempenho do conversor IMC – 1DOF, também é aplicado ao sistema de injeção de corrente, o controlador Proporcional-Ressonante (P+Res). São apresentados resultados de simulação computacional e experimentais de ambos os 8 controladores, os quais permitem verificar o desempenho do sistema em situação de rede fraca e carga local não-linear. / This paper presents the study, development and application of new control techniques for photovoltaic power generation systems, connected to single-phase power grid in order to improve the efficiency of these systems in relation to control methods typically used. The work is divided into two main parts, which are related to tracking the maximum power point (Maximum Power Point Tracking - MPPT) and then the internal controller of boost quadratic converters - side of the photovoltaic panels - as well as the controllers the voltage inverter, the side of the single-phase mains. The first part of the work is the development of a heuristic goal algorithm for MPPT, which is based on the method of simulated annealing (Simulated Annealing - SA) and aims at determining the overall maximum point, seeking out solutions in a close vicinity, so as to prevent the docking local maxima in the curve of power output of the photovoltaic array, thereby improving the utilization of energy in partial shading situations. The second part presents the design of controllers based on internal model (Internal Model Control - IMC) with 1 degree of freedom (1 Degree of Freedom - 1 DOF) applied, first, the DC-DC Boost Quadratic converter, used for MPPT, and thereafter, a voltage inverter with LCL filter connected to the single phase power supply operating in current injection mode. A mathematical modeling of both converters and analyzed the compensation of internal feedback to the voltage inverter system corresponding to the disconnection of the mains voltage through the power strategy a head (feedforward). A basis of comparison for the performance analysis of IMC-1DOF converter is aiming at, is also applied to the current injection system, Proportional-Resonant Controller (P + Res). They are presented computer simulation and experimental results of both controllers, which allow you to check the system performance in low and non-linear local load network situation. / Tese (Doutorado)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This thesis aims to present the design and development of an Energy Harvesting (EH) circuit applied to wireless sensor networks (WSN), especially those that perform functions in lighting systems, such as monitoring or control. The primary function of an Energy Harvesting system is to convert, condition and manage energy from an available source in the environment, in order to power low power consumption devices, which usually would be fed by batteries. The most used energy sources in EH systems are solar, wind, electromagnetic waves, mechanical vibration and thermal differences. Thus Energy Harvesting is an alternative to increase the autonomy or even eliminate the use of batteries for portable, implanted or remote located devices. Initially, an analysis of the most appropriate energy sources to power wireless sensors networks is performed, taking into aspects such as energy density, advantages and disadvantages. Subsequently, the proposed EH circuit is developed and tested. One of the specific objectives is that the EH proposed circuit is capable to being adapted for different energy sources. The proposed circuit consists of two stages, the first is a pre-amplifier and rectifier based on Villard multiplier. The second stage consists of a low-power boost converter with a synthesized inductor. The circuit is able to operate with minimum input voltages about 0.3 V, reaching maximum output of 5 V and 100mW of power. / A presente dissertação tem por objetivo apresentar a concepção e o desenvolvimento de um circuito Energy Harvesting (EH) aplicado a redes de sensores sem fio, notadamente aquelas que desempenham funções relacionadas a sistemas de iluminação, como por exemplo, monitoramento ou controle. A função primordial de um sistema EH é obter, converter, condicionar e gerenciar energia proveniente de uma fonte disponível no meio ambiente, de modo que esta alimente dispositivos de baixo consumo que usualmente seriam alimentados através de pilhas ou baterias. As fontes de energia mais empregadas para sistemas EH são solar, eólica, ondas eletromagnéticas, diferenças térmicas e vibrações mecânicas. Desse modo, Energy Harvesting é uma alternativa para o aumento da autonomia ou mesmo da eliminação do uso de baterias para dispositivos portáteis, implantados, ou dispositvos que se encontram locais remotos. Inicialmente, uma análise das fontes de energia mais propícias para a alimentação de uma rede de sensores sem fio é realizada, tendo em vista aspectos como densidade de energia, vantagens e desvantagens. Posteriormente, a topologia de circuito EH proposta é desenvolvida e testada. Um dos objetivos específicos é que o circuito EH proposto possa ser adaptado para diferentes fontes de energia. O circuito proposto é composto por dois estágios, o primeiro, é um pré-amplificador e retificador, baseado no multiplicador de Villard. O segundo estágio é composto por um conversor Boost de baixa potência, cuja indutância é sintetizada por meio de um circuito do tipo Gyrator. O circuito é capaz de operar com tensões de entrada mínima de 0,3 V, atingindo saída máxima de 5 V e 100 mW de potência.