Nowadays high power density has become an emerging need for the medium-voltage (MV) high-power converters in applications of power distribution systems in urban areas and transportation carriers like ship, airplane, and so forth. The limited footprint or space resource cost such immensely high price that introducing expensive advanced equipment to save space becomes a cost-effective option. To this end, replacing conventional Si IGBT with the superior SiC MOSFET to elevate the power density of MV modular converters has been defined as the concentration of this research work. As the modular multilevel converter (MMC) is the most typical modular converter for high power applications, the research topic is narrowed down to study the SiC MOSFET-based MMC. Fundamentals of the MMC is firstly investigated by introducing a proposed state-space switching model, followed by unveiling all possible operation scenarios of the MMC. The lower-frequency energy fluctuation on passive components of the MMC is interpreted and prior-art approaches to overcome it are presented. By scrutinizing the converter's switching states, a new switching-cycle control (SCC) approach is proposed to balance the capacitor energy within one switching cycle is explored. An open-loop model-predictive method is leveraged to study the behavior of the SCC, and then a hybrid-current-mode (HCM) approach to realize the closed-loop SCC on hardware is proposed and verified in simulation. In order to achieve the hybrid-current-mode SCC (HCM-SCC), a high-performance Rogowski switch-current sensor (RSCS) is proposed and developed. As sensing the switching current is a critical necessity for HCM-SCC, the RSCS is designed to meet all the requirement for the control purposes. A PCB-embedded shielding design is proposed to improve the sensor accuracy under high dv/dt noises caused by the rapid switching transients of SiC MOSFET. The overall system and control validations have been conducted on a high-power MMC prototype. The basic unit of the MMC prototype is a SiC Power Electronics Building Block (PEBB) rated at 1 kV DC bus voltage. Owing to the proposed SCC, the PEBB development has achieved high power density with considerable reduction of passive component size. Finally, experimental results exhibit the excellent performance of the RSCS and the HCM-SCC. / Ph. D.

La Magnéto-Impédance Géante (GMI pour Giant Magneto-Impedance) présente un certain nombre d’avantages, tels la haute sensibilité, la haute résolution de détection, la large bande passante et la flexibilité de l’élément sensible qui rendent cette technologie très prometteuse pour la réalisation de capteurs de courant flexibles, sans contact, capables de mesurer à la fois les courants continus (DC) et alternatifs (AC).Ce travail de thèse vise à explorer la faisabilité d’un capteur de courant flexible à base de GMI, en portant une attention particulière sur l’impact des paramètres d’influence qui conditionnent largement les solutions de mise en œuvre du capteur.Les effets de la température et des contraintes mécaniques de flexion et de torsion, qui s’appliquent dans un environnement de mesure réel, sont caractérisés en prenant en compte les grandeurs intrinsèques du fil nécessaires à la réalisation d’un capteur industriel. L’impact de la mise en œuvre et du conditionnement électronique vis-à-vis de ces grandeurs d’influence est aussi étudié. Les effets des perturbations magnétiques externes et de l’excentration du conducteur sous test dans la boucle de mesure sont quantifiés et une solution de blindage est proposée. Enfin, le prototype de capteur obtenu à l’issue de ces travaux est présenté, ainsi que ses performances, en dégageant les pistes d’optimisation et d’amélioration. / The GMI effect displays several advantages, such as high sensitivity, high detection resolution and bandwidth, and mechanical flexibility. These advantages predispose this technology to the implementation of flexible contactless current sensors measuring both DC and AC currents.This thesis work aims at exploring the feasibility of a flexible GMI current sensor. A particular attention to the impact of influence parameters which largely condition the design solutions of the sensor has been paid.The effects of temperature and mechanical constraints such as bending and torsion, which apply in a real measuring environment, are characterized by taking into account the intrinsic features which are necessary to the design of the sensor. The impact of the general measuring configuration and electronics are also studied. The effects of magnetic disturbances and of the position of the current-carrying conductor in the measuring loop are quantified and an adequate shielding method is proposed. Finally, the sensor prototype obtained at the end of this work is described with its performances and the possible optimization and enhancement ways.

Esta dissertação trata do projeto e avaliação de um novo circuito sensor de corrente com célula de memória dinâmica para a detecção de correntes transientes em circuitos integrados CMOS, provocadas pela incidência de partículas ionizantes. As propostas previamente existentes na literatura são avaliadas e suas deficiências são apontadas. É apresentada a topologia e o modo de funcionamento do novo circuito, juntamente com o detalhamento do projeto das versões destinadas à monitoração dos transistores PMOS e NMOS. É apresentado o layout do circuito final em tecnologia 130 nm, destinado à prototipação pelo programa MOSIS, contendo os sensores, os transistores-alvo, os estágios de saída e os circuitos de proteção contra os efeitos da eletricidade estática necessários. Os resultados obtidos através de simulação mostram que o novo circuito proporciona uma redução na área de silício necessária para a implementação, bem como um menor consumo de corrente quiescente em relação às propostas anteriores. / This dissertation deals with the design and evaluation of a new current sensor circuit with dynamic memory cell intended to detect transient currents caused by incidence of ionizing particles in CMOS integrated circuits. Circuits previously proposed are analyzed and their drawbacks are pointed out. The new circuit topology and working principle is presented, along with the detailed design of the versions intended to monitoring PMOS and NMOS transistors. The final circuit is laid out in a 130 nm technology, intended to be prototyped through the MOSIS program. The complete design contains the sensor circuits, target transistors, output stages and electrostatic discharge protection circuitry. Results obtained by post layout simulation shown that the new circuit provides a reduction on silicon area and a smaller quiescent current consumption compared to previous circuits.

Esta dissertação trata do projeto e avaliação de um novo circuito sensor de corrente com célula de memória dinâmica para a detecção de correntes transientes em circuitos integrados CMOS, provocadas pela incidência de partículas ionizantes. As propostas previamente existentes na literatura são avaliadas e suas deficiências são apontadas. É apresentada a topologia e o modo de funcionamento do novo circuito, juntamente com o detalhamento do projeto das versões destinadas à monitoração dos transistores PMOS e NMOS. É apresentado o layout do circuito final em tecnologia 130 nm, destinado à prototipação pelo programa MOSIS, contendo os sensores, os transistores-alvo, os estágios de saída e os circuitos de proteção contra os efeitos da eletricidade estática necessários. Os resultados obtidos através de simulação mostram que o novo circuito proporciona uma redução na área de silício necessária para a implementação, bem como um menor consumo de corrente quiescente em relação às propostas anteriores. / This dissertation deals with the design and evaluation of a new current sensor circuit with dynamic memory cell intended to detect transient currents caused by incidence of ionizing particles in CMOS integrated circuits. Circuits previously proposed are analyzed and their drawbacks are pointed out. The new circuit topology and working principle is presented, along with the detailed design of the versions intended to monitoring PMOS and NMOS transistors. The final circuit is laid out in a 130 nm technology, intended to be prototyped through the MOSIS program. The complete design contains the sensor circuits, target transistors, output stages and electrostatic discharge protection circuitry. Results obtained by post layout simulation shown that the new circuit provides a reduction on silicon area and a smaller quiescent current consumption compared to previous circuits.

Esta dissertação trata do projeto e avaliação de um novo circuito sensor de corrente com célula de memória dinâmica para a detecção de correntes transientes em circuitos integrados CMOS, provocadas pela incidência de partículas ionizantes. As propostas previamente existentes na literatura são avaliadas e suas deficiências são apontadas. É apresentada a topologia e o modo de funcionamento do novo circuito, juntamente com o detalhamento do projeto das versões destinadas à monitoração dos transistores PMOS e NMOS. É apresentado o layout do circuito final em tecnologia 130 nm, destinado à prototipação pelo programa MOSIS, contendo os sensores, os transistores-alvo, os estágios de saída e os circuitos de proteção contra os efeitos da eletricidade estática necessários. Os resultados obtidos através de simulação mostram que o novo circuito proporciona uma redução na área de silício necessária para a implementação, bem como um menor consumo de corrente quiescente em relação às propostas anteriores. / This dissertation deals with the design and evaluation of a new current sensor circuit with dynamic memory cell intended to detect transient currents caused by incidence of ionizing particles in CMOS integrated circuits. Circuits previously proposed are analyzed and their drawbacks are pointed out. The new circuit topology and working principle is presented, along with the detailed design of the versions intended to monitoring PMOS and NMOS transistors. The final circuit is laid out in a 130 nm technology, intended to be prototyped through the MOSIS program. The complete design contains the sensor circuits, target transistors, output stages and electrostatic discharge protection circuitry. Results obtained by post layout simulation shown that the new circuit provides a reduction on silicon area and a smaller quiescent current consumption compared to previous circuits.

La mesure de courant dans un environnement industriel est une étape indispensable pour garantir la pérennité d'un réseau de distribution électrique. En général, chaque domaine d'applications (mesure, protection, etc...) nécessitent l'utilisation d'un capteur adapté. Ces travaux de thèse proposent d'utiliser un capteur bas coût principalement dédié à la protection, le tore de Rogowski, aussi comme élément de mesure. Afin d'améliorer sa précision intrinsèque souvent insuffisante, nous avons développé une boucle de correction et une électronique de calibrage intégrée (CMOS 0,35µm) permettant d'adapter ce capteur aux standards métrologiques. Nous détaillons dans ce manuscrit les étapes de l'élaboration de cette boucle de correction ainsi que les résultats obtenus à l'aide des différents prototypes. Nous terminons par la présentation du premier démonstrateur technologique, premier pas vers un système de mesure de courant sans contact de classe 0.1, auto-calibré, autonome et bas coût. / The measurement of the current in an industrial environment is a necessary step to ensure the sustainability of an electrical distribution network. Typically, each application domain (measurement, protection, etc ...) requires the use of a suitable sensor. This thesis work proposes the use of the Rogowski coil current transducer, a low cost sensor usually used for protection, as measuring element. In order to improve its often insufficient intrinsic accuracy, we have developed a correction loop as well as an integrated electronics for calibration (CMOS 0,35μm) to adapt the sensor to metrological standards. In this manuscript, we detail the development stages of this correction loop and the results obtained with different prototypes. We conclude with the presentation of the first technology demonstrator, a very first step towards a current measurement system that would be contactless, 0.1 accuracy class, auto-calibrated, autonomous and low cost.

This master’s thesis discourses the problematics of eddy current sensors of transformer type dedicated for measuring non-contact distances of unferomagnetic and feromagnetic objects. This thesis contains the design, realization and finding of the optimal values for the sensor usage. The sensor properties are measured and certified by empirical calculations and simulations in the Comsol Multiphysics programme.

This master's thesis deals with integrated Hall-effect current sensors. The thesis contains summary of manufacturers of current sensors suitable for low current measurement and comparison of their important parameters. Next objective of the thesis is a design of test board used for evaluation of temperature depedent accuracy of several sensors simultaneously. The device can be connected with PC through USB interface for saving measured values or automated control with other instruments.

A new concept of current sensor reduction technique called multi-branch current sensing technique (MCST) is proposed in this dissertation. In the proposed current sensing method, one more branch currents are simultaneously measured several times in a single switching cycle by using a single current sensor. After that, the current reconstruction algorithm is applied to obtain all phase currents information. Compared to traditional single current sensor techniques (SCSTs), the proposed method samples the output of the current sensor regularly, and the current sensing dead-zone is dramatically reduced. Since the current sampling is performed periodically, its implementation using a digital controller is extremely simple. Moreover, the periodical dead-zone and the dead-zone near the origin of the voltage vector space which have been a big problem in the existing methods can be completely eliminated. Accordingly, there is no need to have a complicated vector reconfiguration or current estimation algorithm. The proposed MCST also takes the advantages of a SCST such as reduced cost and elimination of the sensor gain discrepancy problem in the multiple current sensor method. The fundamental concept, implementation issues, and limitation of the proposed MCST are described based on three-phase systems first. After that, the proposed MCST is adopted to two-phase inverters and multi-phase dc-dc converters with little modifications. Computer simulations and hardware experiments have been conducted for a three-phase boost converter, a three-phase motor drive system, a two-phase two-leg inverter, a two-phase four-leg inverter with bipolar modulation, a two-phase four-leg inverter with unipolar modulation, and a four-phase dc-dc converter applications. From the simulations and the experimental results, the feasibilities of the proposed method mentioned above are fully verified. / Ph. D.

The increasing shift towards more electric or all electric aircraft urgently necessitates dc/ac converter systems with high power density. Silicon Carbide (SiC) devices, known for their superior performance over traditional silicon-based devices, facilitate this increase in power density. Nonetheless, achieving optimal power density faces challenges due to the unique requirements and conditions of aircraft applications. A primary obstacle is optimizing the topology and parameters of the dc/ac converter system to achieve high power density while adhering to the stringent aerospace EMI standard DO-160 and bearing current limitations. Electric aircraft demand unmatched reliability, necessitating strict control over EMI noise and bearing currents. These considerations significantly impact the selection of topology and parameters to maximize power density. This dissertation assesses how dc voltage, topology, and switching frequency affect component weight, seeking an optimal mix to enhance power density. The methodology and conclusions are validated through a 200-kW motor drive system designed for electric aircraft. Moreover, traditional dc/ac systems are burdened by the weight and space occupied by separate current sensors and short-circuit protection circuits. This work introduces two innovative current sensors that integrate device current sampling with the functionality of traditional shunt resistors, AC hall sensors, and short-circuit protection circuits, thus improving system density and bandwidth. The first sensor, a PCB-based Rogowski coil, integrates with the gate driver and commutation loops, enhancing power density despite challenges in managing CM noise. The second sensor utilizes parasitic inductance in the power loop, with an integrator circuit and an adaptive compensation algorithm correcting errors from parasitic resistance, ensuring high bandwidth accuracy without needing parasitic resistance information. Variable operation conditions from motors pose another challenge, potentially leading to oversized inverters due to uneven loss distribution among switching devices, exacerbated at extreme operating points like motor start-up. This dissertation investigates the loss distribution in multi-level T-Type neutral point clamped (NPC) topology and proposes a novel loss-balance modulation scheme. This scheme ensures even loss distribution across switches, independent of power factor and modulation index, and is applicable to T-type inverters of any level count. Finally, thermal management and insulation at high altitudes present significant challenges. While power devices may be cooled using conventional liquid cooling solutions, components like AC and EMI filters struggle with complex geometries that can create hot spots or high E-field points, complicating filter design for high current applications. A comprehensive design and optimization methodology based on planar heavy-copper PCB design is proposed. By utilizing flexible 2D or 3D E-field shaping and maximizing thermal transfer from copper to ambient, this methodology significantly improves power density and ensures effective heat dissipation and insulation at altitudes up to 50,000 feet. / Doctor of Philosophy / The increasing shift towards more electric or all electric aircraft urgently necessitates dc/ac converter systems with high power density. Silicon Carbide (SiC) devices, known for their superior performance over traditional silicon-based devices, facilitate this increase in power density. Nonetheless, achieving optimal power density faces challenges due to the unique requirements and conditions of aircraft applications. A primary obstacle is optimizing the topology and parameters of the dc/ac converter system to achieve high power density while adhering to the stringent aerospace EMI standard DO-160 and bearing current limitations. Electric aircraft demand unmatched reliability, necessitating strict control over EMI noise and bearing currents. These considerations significantly impact the selection of topology and parameters to maximize power density. This dissertation assesses how dc voltage, topology, and switching frequency affect component weight, seeking an optimal mix to enhance power density. The methodology and conclusions are validated through a 200-kW motor drive system designed for electric aircraft. Moreover, traditional dc/ac systems are burdened by the weight and space occupied by separate current sensors and short-circuit protection circuits. This work introduces two innovative current sensors that integrate device current sampling with the functionality of traditional shunt resistors, AC hall sensors, and short-circuit protection circuits, thus improving system density and bandwidth. The first sensor, a PCB-based Rogowski coil, integrates with the gate driver and commutation loops, enhancing power density despite challenges in managing CM noise. The second sensor utilizes parasitic inductance in the power loop, with an integrator circuit and an adaptive compensation algorithm correcting errors from parasitic resistance, ensuring high bandwidth accuracy without needing parasitic resistance information. Variable operation conditions from motors pose another challenge, potentially leading to oversized inverters due to uneven loss distribution among switching devices, exacerbated at extreme operating points like motor start-up. This dissertation investigates the loss distribution in multi-level T-Type neutral point clamped (NPC) topology and proposes a novel loss-balance modulation scheme. This scheme ensures even loss distribution across switches, independent of power factor and modulation index, and is applicable to T-type inverters of any level count. Finally, thermal management and insulation at high altitudes present significant challenges. While power devices may be cooled using conventional liquid cooling solutions, components like AC and EMI filters struggle with complex geometries that can create hot spots or high E-field points, complicating filter design for high current applications. A comprehensive design and optimization methodology based on planar heavy-copper PCB design is proposed. By utilizing flexible 2D or 3D E-field shaping and maximizing thermal transfer from copper to ambient, this methodology significantly improves power density and ensures effective heat dissipation and insulation at altitudes up to 50,000 feet.