The Class-E topology was presented as a single-switch power amplifier with high efficiency at the optimum condition, where the switch enjoys zero-voltage switching (ZVS) and zero-voltage-derivative switching (ZDS). It is also used in MHz dc-dc converters, and in inverters for wireless power transfer, induction heating, and plasma pulsing. The load current in these applications usually varies over a range. Efficiency of a conventional Class-E design degrades dramatically due to the hard switching beyond the optimum conditions. Keeping ZVS with load change in a Class-E topology is preferred within the load range. Soft switching with load variation is realized by duty cycle modulation with additional transformer, matching network, or resistance compression network. Since two ZVS requirements need to be satisfied in a conventional Class-E design, at least two parameters are tuned under load variation. Thus, changing switching frequency, duty cycle, and component values were used. Impressively, a load-independent Class-E inverter design was presented in 1990 for maintaining ZVS and output voltage under a given load change without tuning any parameters, and it was validated with experimental results recently. The operating principle of this special design (inconsistent with the conventional design) is not elucidated in the published literatures. Load-independency illucidation by a Thevenin Model – A Thevenin model is then established (although Class-E is a nonliear circuit) to explain the load-independency with fixed switching frequency and duty cycle. The input block of a Class-E inverter (Vin, Lin, Cin, and S) behaves as a fixed voltage source vth1 and a fixed capacitive impedance Xth1 in series at switching frequency. When the output block (Lo and Co) is designed to compensate Xth1, the output current phase is always equal to the phase of vth1 with resistive load (satisfies the ZVS requirement of a load-independent design). Thus, soft switching is maintained within load variation. Output voltage is equal to vth1 since Xth1 is canceled, so that the output voltage is constant regardless of output resistance. Load-independency is achieved without adding any components or tuning any parameters. Sequential design and tuning of a load-independent ZVS Class-E inverter with constant voltage based on Thevenin Model - Based on the model, it's found that each circuit parameter is linked to only one of the targeted performance (ZVS, fixed voltage gain, and load range). Thus, the sequential design equations and steps are derived and presented. In each step, the desired performance (e.g. ZVS) now could be used to check and tune component values so that ZVS and fixed voltage gain in the desired load range is guaranteed in the final Class-E inverter, even when component values vary from the expectations. The Thevenin model and the load-independent design is then extended to any duty cycles. A prototype switched at 6.78 MHz with 10-V input, 11.3-V output, and 22.5-W maximum output power was fabricated and tested to validate the theory. Soft switching is maintained with 3% output voltage variation while the output power is reduced tenfold. A load-independent ZVS Class-E inverter with constant current by combining constant voltage design and a trans-susceptance network - A load-independent ZVS Class-E inverter with constant current under load variation is then presented, by combining the presented design (generating a constant voltage) and a trans-susceptance network (transferring the voltage to current). The impact of different types and the positions of the networks are discussed, and LCL network is selected so that both constant current and soft switching are maintained within the load variation. The operation principle, design, and tuning procedures are illustrated. The trade-off between input current ripple, output current amplitude, and the working load range is discussed. The expectations were validated by a design switched at 6.78 MHz with 10-V input, 1.4-A output, and 12.6-W maximum output power. Soft switching is maintained with 16% output current varying over a 10:1 output power range. A "ZVS" Class-E dc-dc converter by adding a diode rectifier bridge and compensate the induced varying capacitance at full-load condition - The load-independent Class-E design is extended to dc-dc converter by adding a diode rectifier bridge followed by the Class-E inverter. The equivalent impedance seen by the inverter consists of a varying capacitance and a varying resistance when the output changes. As illustrated before, ZVS and constant output can only be maintained with resistive load. Since the varying capacitance cannot be compensated for the whole load range, performance with using different compensation is discussed. With the selected full-load compensation, ZVS is achieved at full load condition and slight non-ZVS occurs for the other load conditions. The expectation was validated by a dc-dc converter switched at 6.78 MHz with 11 V input, 12 V output, and 22 W maximum output power. ZVS (including slight non-ZVS) is maintained with 16% output voltage variation over 20:1 output power range. Design of variable Capacitor by connecting two voltage-sensitive capacitors in series and controlling the bias voltage of them - The equivalent varying capacitance in the Class-E dc-dc converter can be compensated in the whole load range only with variable component. The sensitivity of a Class-E power conversion can also be improved by using variable capacitors. Thus, a Voltage Controlled Capacitor (VCC) is presented, based on the intrinsic property of Class II dielectric materials that permittivity changing much with electric field. Its equivalent circuit consists of two identical Class II capacitors in series. By changing the voltage of the common point of the two capacitors (named as control voltage), the two capacitance and the total capacitance are both changed. Its operation principle, measured characteristic, and the SPICE model are illustrated. The capacitance changes from 1 μF to 0.2 μF with a control voltage from 0 V to 25 V, resulting a 440% capacitance range. Since the voltage across the two capacitors (named as output voltage) also affects one of the capacitance when control voltage is applied, the capacitance range drops to only 40% with higher bias in the output voltage. Thus, a Linear Variable Capacitor (LVC) is presented. The equivalent circuit is the same as VCC, while one of the capacitance is designed much higher to mitigate the effect of output voltage. The structure, operational principle, required specifications, design procedures, and component selection were validated by a design example, with 380% maximum capacitance range and less than 20% drop in the designed capacitor voltage range. This work contributes to • Analytical analysis and Thevenin Model in load-independent Class-E power conversion • Variable capacitance with wide range / Doctor of Philosophy / The Class-E topology was presented as a single-switch power amplifier with high efficiency at the optimum condition. Efficiency of a conventional Class-E design degrades with load variation dramatically due to the hard switching beyond the optimum conditions. Since two requirements need to be satisfied for soft switching in a conventional Class-E design, at least two parameters are tuned under load variation. Impressively, a load-independent Class-E inverter design was presented for maintaining Zero-Voltage-Switching (ZVS) and output voltage under a given load change without tuning any parameters, and it was validated with experimental results recently. A Thevenin model is established in this work to explain the realization of load-independency with fixed switching frequency and duty cycle. Based on that, a sequential design and tuning process is presented. A prototype switched at 6.78 MHz with 10-V input, 11.3-V output, and 22.5-W maximum output power was fabricated and tested to validate the theory. Soft switching is maintained with 3% output voltage variation while the output power is reduced tenfold. A load-independent ZVS Class-E inverter with constant current under load variation is then presented, by combining the presented design and a trans-susceptance network. The expectations were validated by a design switched at 6.78 MHz with 10-V input, 1.4-A output, and 12.6-W maximum output power. Soft switching is maintained with 16% output current varying over a 10:1 output power range. The load-independent Class-E design is extended to dc-dc converter by adding a diode rectifier bridge, inducing a varying capacitance. With the selected full-load compensation, ZVS is achieved at full load condition and slight non-ZVS occurs for the other load conditions. The expectation was validated by a dc-dc converter switched at 6.78 MHz with 11 V input, 12 V output, and 22 W maximum output power. ZVS (including slight non-ZVS) is maintained with 16% output voltage variation over 20:1 output power range. The varying capacitance in the Class-E dc-dc converter needs variable component to compensate. Thus, a Voltage Controlled Capacitor (VCC) is presented. The capacitance changes from 1 μF to 0.2 μF with a control voltage from 0 V to 25 V, resulting a 440% capacitance range. The capacitance range drops to only 40% with higher bias in the output voltage. Thus, a Linear Variable Capacitor (LVC) is presented, with 380% maximum capacitance range and less than 20% drop in the designed capacitor voltage range.

No description available.

Energy harvesting technologies are crucial for the future green transition. Research shows the versatility and efficiency of integrated energy harvesting solutions. Economic advantages, enhanced energy efficiency, and reduced reliance on conventional power sources can be achieved with well implemented systems. Furthermore, there are environmental benefits from using more renewable energy sources due to fewer emissions from battery production and replacement. One of the challenges with system implementation is achieving high efficiency for various energy sources and system loads. This study aimed to showcase the design steps for crucial system blocks to aid in designing complete energy harvesting systems. The designs are done in a 180 nm CMOS process. A literature study, including recent research on capacitive and inductive converters, gave insight into the limitations of the different topologies. The study also included other crucial blocks for efficient energy harvesting systems, such as Maximum power point tracking and cold-start. In the study, commercially available energy harvesting chips are discussed, and it is concluded that the market is limited regarding alternatives for a wide range of systems. A microcontroller is needed for an adaptable system. For the study, an additional aim was to provide support for an MSP430L092, a low-power microcontroller from Texas Instruments. The support included level shifters and supply voltage generation. Due to time constraints, not all blocks were designed. The designed blocks are a boost converter, level shifters and a Pulse-width modulation generation network composed of a comparator and oscillator. Other blocks needed in efficient energy harvesting systems are included as short discussions of possible implementations from other research and commercially available components. Simulation of the boost converter showed that the main losses are from the non ideal inductor. These were minimised by using a higher switching frequency of 1 MHz and allowing a larger inductor ripple current, which allowed for a smaller inductor. From a 500 mV input voltage boosting to a 2 V output voltage with a constant output power of 120 μW an efficiencyof 88.36% was achieved. A high efficiency was achieved down to 300 mV of input voltage. In the pulse-width modulation network simulation, the main losses were found to be from the current spikes in the buffering stages. Higher voltage threshold transistors and smaller widths minimised these issues. Simulation at 1 MHz showed a power consumption of 5 μW for the complete network and a duty cycle range of 28% to 91%. The comparators standalone power consumption was simulated to 2.3 μW. Some deviations from calculations were noted in the oscillator circuit, which was concluded to be an issue due to the heavy power optimisation. It was not investigated any further in this work but left as future work to investigate the comparator further. From simulated data and datasheets, an estimation for the total combined system efficiency is calculated to be 71.3%. Future work includes the layout of the designed blocks to evaluate the impact of the parasitic extraction.

With the fast development of information technology (IT) industry, the demand and market volume for off-line power supplies keeps increasing, especially those for desktop, flat-panel TV, telecommunication, computer server and datacenter. An off-line power supply normally consists of electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter, power factor correction (PFC) circuit and isolated DC/DC converter. Isolated DC/DC converter occupies more than half of the volume in an off-line power supply and takes the most control responsibilities, so isolated DC/DC converter is the key aspect to improve the overall performance and reduce the total cost for off-line power supply. On the other hand, of all the power supplies for industrial applications, those for the data center servers are the most performance driven, energy and cost conscious due to the large electricity consumption. The total power consumption of today's data centers is becoming noticeable. Moreover, with the increase in cloud computing and big data, energy use of data centers is expected to continue rapidly increasing in the near future. It is very challenging to design isolated DC/DC converters for datacenters since they are required to provide low-voltage high-current output and fast transient response. The LLC resonant converters have been widely used as the DC-DC converter in off-line power supplies and datacenters due to its high efficiency and hold-up capability. Using LLC converters can minimize switching losses and reduce electromagnetic interference. Almost all the high-end offline power supplies employs LLC converters as the DC/DC converter. But there are three major challenges in LLC converters. Firstly, the control characteristics of the LLC resonant converters are very complex due to the dynamics of the resonant tank. This dissertation proposes to implement a special LLC control method, state-trajectory control, with a low-cost microcontroller (MCU). And further efforts have been made to integrate all the state-trajectory control function into one MCU for high-frequency LLC converters, including start-up and short-circuit protection, fast transient response, light load efficiency improvement and SR driving. Secondly, the transformer in power supplies for IT industry is very bulky and it is very challenging to design. By pushing switching frequency up to MHz with gallium nitride (GaN) devices, the magnetics can be integrated into printed circuit board (PCB) windings. This dissertation proposes a novel matrix transformer structure and its design methodology. On the other hand, shielding technique can be employed to suppress the CM noise for PCB winding transformer. This dissertation proposes a novel shielding technique, which not only suppresses CM noise, but also improves the efficiency. The proposed transformer design and shielding technique is applied to an 800W 400V/12V LLC converter design. Thirdly, the LLC converters have sinusoidal current shape due to the nature of resonance, which has larger root mean square (RMS) of current, as well as larger conduction loss, compared to pulse width modulation (PWM) converter. This dissertation employs three-phase interleaved LLC converters to reduce the circulating energy by inter-connecting the three phases in certain way, and proposed a novel magnetic structure to integrated three inductors and three transformers into one magnetic core. By pushing switching frequency up to 1MHz, all the magnetics can be implemented with 4-layer PCB winding. Additional 2-layer shielding can be integrated to reduce CM noise. The proposed magnetic structure is applied to a 3kW 400V/12V LLC converter. This dissertation solves the challenges in analysis, digital control, magnetic design and EMI in high-frequency DC/DC converters in off-line power supplies. With the academic contribution in this dissertation, GaN devices can be successfully applied to high-frequency DC/DC converters with MHz switching frequency to achieve high efficiency, high power density, simplified but high-performance digital control and automatic manufacturing. The cost will be reduced and the performance will be improved significantly. / Ph. D. / With the fast development of information technology (IT) industry, the demand and market volume for off-line power supplies keeps increasing, especially those for desktop, flat-panel TV, telecommunication, computer server and datacenter. The total power consumption of today’s data centers is becoming noticeable. Moreover, with the increase in cloud computing and big data, energy use of data centers is expected to continue rapidly increasing in the near future. The efficiency of off-line power supplies is very critical for the whole human society in order to reduce the total electricity consumption. And the cost is also a key driving force for the development of novel technology in off-line power supplies due to the large market volume. An off-line power supply normally consists of electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter, power factor correction (PFC) circuit and isolated DC/DC converter. Isolated DC/DC converter occupies more than half of the volume in an off-line power supply and takes the most control responsibilities, so isolated DC/DC converter is the key aspect to improve the overall performance and reduce the total cost for off-line power supply. Among all the DC/DC converter topologies, the LLC resonant converters have been most widely used as the DC/DC converter due to its high efficiency and hold-up capability. But there are three major challenges in LLC converters. Firstly, the control characteristics are very complex due to the dynamics of the resonant tank. To achieve good control performance, very complex and expensive digital controller has to be employed. Secondly, the magnetic components are very bulky, and it is expensive to manufacture them. Thirdly, there is circulating energy in LLC converters due to the nature of resonance, which increases the total loss. To solve these challenges, this dissertation proposes to implement a special control method, state-trajectory control, with a low-cost microcontroller (MCU). All the control functions can be integrated into one simple, low-cost MCU to replace the previous complex and expensive controller. By pushing switching frequency up to MHz with next generation power devices, this dissertation proposes a novel magnetics structure that can be integrated into printed circuit board (PCB) windings to achieve low-cost and automatic manufacturing. Furthermore, this dissertation employs three-phase interleaved LLC converters topology to reduce the circulating energy, and proposed a novel magnetic structure to integrated three inductors and three transformers into one magnetic core with simple 4-layer PCB winding. All the proposed technologies have been verified on hardware prototypes, and significant improvements over industrial state-of-art designs have been demonstrated. To sum up, this dissertation solves the challenges in analysis, digital control, magnetic design and EMI in DC/DC converters for off-line power supplies. With the academic contribution in this dissertation, the cost can be reduced due to the simplified control and automatic manufactured magnetics, and the efficiency can be improved with proper utilization of next generation power devices. This dissertation will improve future DC/DC converter for IT industrial in the three most important aspects of efficiency, power density and cost.

The popularity of the internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles has contributed to global warming problem and degradation of air quality around the world. Furthermore, the vehicles??? massive demand on gas has played a role in the depletion of fossil fuel reserves and the considerable rise in the gas price over the past twenty years. Those existing challenges force the auto-industry to move towards the technology development of vehicle electrification. An electrified vehicle is driven by one or more electric motors. And the electricity comes from the onboard energy storage system (ESS). Currently, no single type of green energy source could meet all the requirements to drive a vehicle. A hybrid energy storage system (HESS), as a combination of battery and ultra-capacitor units, is expected to improve the overall performance of vehicles??? ESS. This thesis focuses on the design of HESS and the development of a HESS prototype for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Battery unit (BU), ultra-capacitor unit (UC) and a DC/DC converter interfacing BU and UC are the three main components of HESS. The research work first reviews literatures regarding characteristics of BU, UC and power electronic converters. HESS design is then conducted based on the considerations of power capability, energy efficiency, size and cost optimization. Besides theoretical analysis, a HESS prototype is developed to prove the principles of operation as well. The results from experiment are compared with those from simulation.

This thesis studies a multiple-input single ended primary inductor converter (MI SEPIC) topology. The configuration allows the integration of different low-power distributed generation sources, such as individual photovoltaic modules, fuel cells, and small residential wind generators, into a common dc main bus. The current source interface allows the integration of all types of sources without the addition of filters; sources that require a nearly constant input current, such as fuel cells. In addition to discussing the circuit’s main models and operation, the thesis evaluates the stability under a decentralized PI control scheme through small signal analysis. The analysis is verified with simulations and experiments with prototypes. A derived circuit topology, the isolated MI SEPIC, is also explored here. In addition, a nonlinear control scheme, Lyapunov-based control, is implemented to stabilize an MI SEPIC. / text

Thesis (M. Tech. Engineering: Electrical)--Vaal University of Technology / Fuel cells are electrochemical devices that convert chemical energy of a fuel cell into electricity at high efficiency without combustion. They are viewed as viable power sources for many applications including automobiles, distributed power generation and portable electronics. This dissertation presents the design and development of a phosphoric acid fuel cell. It deals with the experimental studies on phosphoric acid fuel cells and possible integration in replacing the conventional sources of electrical energy in stand-by power supply systems, particularly for use in the telecommunications industry. The design of a DC-DC converter system is also incorporated into the system. The first objective was to establish performance parameters and past studies on phosphoric acid fuel cells and this research revealed that parameters that affect the system's performance include: reactant gas pressures, mass flow rates as well as the operating temperature. Mathematical models in the literature were studied and verified against the simulation models acquired. The second objective was to design and assemble a single cell in order to analyze the cell's performances as well as the operating parameters in order to obtain a model for predicting and simulating the performance of larger fuel cell stacks. The next objective was to analyse from a set of design equations and construct a small DC-DC converter. The converter was used to boost a small fuel cell voltage and regulate it at a higher voltage level. Finally, the performance characteristics of the developed fuel cell, mathematical and simulation models were evaluated and compared. Simulation results for the models and the converter showing a regulated output voltage are presented. Some recommendations for improved system performance and for further studies are suggested.

Esta dissertação aborda aspectos gerais relativos à utilização de um conversor CC-CC que opera conectado à rede de distribuição e que emprega como fonte primária células a combustível. Neste trabalho, a modelagem matemática em espaços de estados (pequenos sinais e média) dos conversores Boost e Boost Interleaved com Multiplicador de Tensão (IBVM), assim como as arquiteturas de controle utilizadas em modo tensão, corrente média e corrente de pico são comparadas para determinar qual delas apresenta melhor desempenho. Devido ao fato das células a combustível apresentarem tensão terminal baixa e corrente terminal elevada, há a necessidade de utilizar conversores eletrônicos com alto ganho para equalizar a tensão produzida pela fonte com o nível de tensão presente na rede de distribuição. Tendo isso em vista, este trabalho mostra uma análise do ganho estático de tensão do conversor Boost e IBVM considerando os efeitos das resistências parasitas dos componentes utilizados e da carga conectada nos terminais de saída do conversor. Como resultado da modelagem matemática do ganho, é mostrado um conjunto de equações que definem o valor mínimo de resistência do semicondutor de potência, indutor, capacitor do multiplicador de tensão e a máxima carga que os conversores Boost e Boost Interleaved com Multiplicador de Tensão podem suprir. Por fim, os resultados experimentais são apresentados com o intuito de validar os resultados teóricos e de simulação obtidos. / This thesis addresses general aspects concerning the application of DC-DC converters applied to a grid connected Fuel Cell system. It is discussed in this thesis the averaged and small signals space state modeling of the Boost and Interleaved Boost with Voltage Multiplier (IBVM) converter, it is also mentioned the control architectures in voltage mode, average current mode and peak current mode. The voltage and average current mode control architectures are simulated and implemented in hardware in order to be compared. Due to the fact that Fuel Cells present low terminal voltage and high current, it is needed to use high gain DC-DC converters with the aim connect the system to the grid. This thesis also presents an approach in the analysis of DC-DC converter static voltage gain considering the effect of the parasitic resistances and the load connected to the converter terminals. As a result of the gain analysis, it is presented a set of equation, from which is possible to determine the maximum value of the parasitic resistances for the switch, inductor and capacitor of the voltage multiplier. It is also calculated the maximum value of load connected to the Boost and Interleaved Boost with Voltage Multiplier converters with the aim to present the designed voltage gain. Additionally, by the maximum load value calculated it is possible to determine the maximum power that the converter will be capable to process, considering a specific point of operation. Finally, the designed DC-DC converter is implemented with the aim to validate the theoretical and simulation results.

A presente tese busca desenvolver uma metodologia para o gerenciamento e controle de uma geração distribuída que utiliza como fonte principal células a combustível do tipo PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane). A finalidade do trabalho consiste em analisar, controlar e gerenciar a operação da célula a combustível (CaC) nas operações ilhada e conectada em relação à rede de distribuição. Nos primeiros capítulos do texto é elaborada uma revisão acerca do princípio de funcionamento e do modelo da CaC. Após este estágio inicial, são analisadas e modeladas as estruturas dos estágios CC e CA que compõem a geração distribuída. Para o modo conectado é desenvolvida uma estratégia para o controle da tensão do link CC que, a partir da regulação da corrente do estágio CA, permite o gerenciamento da potência fornecida pela CaC. Sequencialmente ao texto e com a adição do estágio de armazenamento de energia, é apresentada uma proposta que vincula a dinâmica da CaC com a estrutura de gerenciamento do estágio CC e CA. Esse fato garante que a alteração do ponto de operação da CaC seja descrito conforme uma dinâmica predeterminada, garantindo assim que transitórios não sejam absorvidos pela CaC. Como parte final da tese, é desenvolvida uma estratégia para a inicialização da CaC, a qual associa o próprio comportamento da célula e o estágio de armazenamento de energia. Os resultados apresentados ao longo do texto mostram que as estruturas propostas tornam a CaC menos sensível a transitórios de carga, além de serem capazes de deslocar (gerenciar) o ponto de operação da célula. Ao final de cada capítulo, são apresentados resultados experimentais e de simulações que auxiliam o entendimento e suportam as propostas do trabalho. / This thesis proposes a methodology for management and control of distributed generation with a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) as the main source. Additionally, the analysis of performance is used when the PEM fuel cell operates in two different operation modes, i.e. in grid-connected and stand-alone modes. In the first chapters, a review of main features and a mathematical model of fuel cells are presented. Sequentially, the theoretical models of the DC- and AC-power converters are analyzed. For grid-connected operation mode, a strategy based on the DC-link voltage control is proposed via current regulation of the AC stage affording thus the management of the power produced by the fuel cell. Additionally, with the use of the storage devices, a proposal that associates the dynamics of the PEM fuel cell with the DC and AC stages is shown. This fact ensures that the movement of the fuel cell operating point is described within a predetermined dynamic, ensuring that transients are not absorbed by the fuel cell. Finally, a strategy for the startup of fuel cell in association with the energy storage stage is developed. The results show that the proposed structures makes the cell less sensitive to the load transient, in order to move (manage) the fuel cell operating point. At the end of each chapter, experimental and simulation results are presented to support the proposed approach.

Cal Poly’s ongoing Energy Harvesting from Exercise Machines (EHFEM) project is a very convenient and cost-effective way for generating DC power from physical exercise and sending it back to the electrical grid as AC power, providing a renewable energy source for the future. The EHFEM project consists of numerous subprojects involving converting different types of exercise machines for power generation. This project is a continuation of one of the previous subprojects, specifically involving an elliptical machine, and focuses on improving system functionality at different machine settings without altering the elliptical user’s experience by selecting a new DC-DC converter design, while keeping the other system components intact. The new proposed DC-DC converter design is based on a non-isolated, PWM-switching single-ended primary inductor converter (SEPIC) topology, as opposed to the resonant zero-current switching/zero-voltage switching (ZCS/ZVS) topology-based off-the-shelf DC-DC converter that the previous project utilized, which had poor system functionality at high physical input levels (greater than 30V input) from the elliptical trainer. This project proves that a PWM-switching SEPIC topology provides a functional DC-DC converter design for DC power generation and inverter interfacing from a dynamic input voltage generator because of its wide input voltage range, high power driving capability and inherent voltage step-up and step-down functions. The proposed DC-DC converter supplies up to 288 watts of power and outputs 36 volts, and simultaneously takes 5-65 volts from its input depending on the elliptical user’s physical input level. This project details the new DC-DC converter’s design and construction processes, compares its topology to other existing DC-DC converter topologies and analyzes unfeasible designs as well as the overall system’s performance when converting the generated DC power to AC power, and documents any potential problems when used for this specific application.