abstract: Complex electronic systems include multiple power domains and drastically varying dynamic power consumption patterns, requiring the use of multiple power conversion and regulation units. High frequency switching converters have been gaining prominence in the DC-DC converter market due to smaller solution size (higher power density) and higher efficiency. As the filter components become smaller in value and size, they are unfortunately also subject to higher process variations and worse degradation profiles jeopardizing stable operation of the power supply. This dissertation presents techniques to track changes in the dynamic loop characteristics of the DC-DC converters without disturbing the normal mode of operation. A digital pseudo-noise (PN) based stimulus is used to excite the DC-DC system at various circuit nodes to calculate the corresponding closed-loop impulse response. The test signal energy is spread over a wide bandwidth and the signal analysis is achieved by correlating the PN input sequence with the disturbed output generated, thereby accumulating the desired behavior over time. A mixed-signal cross-correlation circuit is used to derive on-chip impulse responses, with smaller memory and lower computational requirement in comparison to a digital correlator approach. Model reference based parametric and non-parametric techniques are discussed to analyze the impulse response results in both time and frequency domain. The proposed techniques can extract open-loop phase margin and closed-loop unity-gain frequency within 5.2% and 4.1% error, respectively, for the load current range of 30-200mA. Converter parameters such as natural frequency (ω_n ), quality factor (Q), and center frequency (ω_c ) can be estimated within 3.6%, 4.7%, and 3.8% error respectively, over load inductance of 4.7-10.3µH, and filter capacitance of 200-400nF. A 5-MHz switching frequency, 5-8.125V input voltage range, voltage-mode controlled DC-DC buck converter is designed for the proposed built-in self-test (BIST) analysis. The converter output voltage range is 3.3-5V and the supported maximum load current is 450mA. The peak efficiency of the converter is 87.93%. The proposed converter is fabricated on a 0.6µm 6-layer-metal Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) technology with a die area of 9mm^2 . The area impact due to the system identification blocks including related I/O structures is 3.8% and they consume 530µA quiescent current during operation. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Electrical Engineering 2017

abstract: Due to great challenges from aggressive environmental regulations, increased demand due to new technologies and the integration of renewable energy sources, the energy industry may radically change the way the power system is operated and designed. With the motivation of studying and planning the future power system under these new challenges, the development of the new tools is required. A network equivalent that can be used in such planning tools needs to be generated based on an accurate power flow model and an equivalencing procedure that preserves the key characteristics of the original system. Considering the pervasive use of the dc power flow models, their accuracy is of great concern. The industry seems to be sanguine about the performance of dc power flow models, but recent research has shown that the performance of different formulations is highly variable. In this thesis, several dc power-flow models are analyzed theoretically and evaluated numerically in IEEE 118-bus system and Eastern Interconnection 62,000-bus system. As shown in the numerical example, the alpha-matching dc power flow model performs best in matching the original ac power flow solution. Also, the possibility of applying these dc models in the various applications has been explored and demonstrated. Furthermore, a novel hot-start optimal dc power-flow model based on ac power transfer distribution factors (PTDFs) is proposed, implemented and tested. This optimal-reactance-only dc model not only matches the original ac PF solution well, but also preserves the congestion pattern obtain from the OPF results of the original ac model. Three improved strategies were proposed for applying the bus-aggregation technique to the large-scale systems, like EI and ERCOT, to improve the execution time, and memory requirements when building a reduced equivalent model. Speed improvements of up to a factor of 200 were observed. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Engineering 2013

Switched-capacitor (SC) DC-DC converters provide a viable solution for on-chip DC-DC conversion as all the components required are available in most processes. However, power efficiency, power density characteristics of SC converters are adversely affected by the integration, and characteristics such as response time and noise can be further improved with an on-chip converter. An analysis on speed, power efficiency, and noise performance of SC converters is presented and verified using simulations. Based on the analysis two techniques, converter-gating and adaptive gain control, are developed. Converter-gating uses a combination of smaller stages and reconfiguration during transient load steps to improve the power efficiency and transient response speed. The stages of the converter are also distributed across the die to reduce the voltage drop and noise on power supply. Adaptive gain control improves transient response through manipulation of the gain of the integrator in the control loop. This technique focuses on improving the response time during converter reconfiguration and offers a general solution to transient response improvement instead of focusing on the worst case scenario which is usually the largest transient load step. The techniques developed are then implemented in ST 28nm FDSOI process and test methodologies are discussed.

No description available.

This master thesis concerns the design of DC power suply, which will be used for technological processes in engineering. This thesis concludes design of components and control curcuits for switching power supply. Output parameters of the machine will be measured.

Wireless power transfer (WPT) is the key enabler for a myriad of applications, from low-power RFIDs, and wireless sensors, to wirelessly charged electric vehicles, and even massive power transmission from space solar cells. One of the major challenges in designing implantable biomedical devices is the size and lifetime of the battery. Thus, replacing the battery with a miniaturized wireless power receiver (WPRx) facilitates designing sustainable biomedical implants in smaller volumes for sentient medical applications. In the first part of this dissertation, we propose a miniaturized, fully integrated, wirelessly powered implantable sensor with on-chip antenna, designed and implemented in a standard 0.18μm CMOS process. As a batteryless device, it can be implanted once inside the body with no need for further invasive surgeries to replace batteries. The proposed single-chip solution is designed for intraocular pressure monitoring (IOPM), and can serve as a sustainable platform for implantable devices or IoT nodes. A custom setup is developed to test the chip in a saline solution with electrical properties similar to those of the aqueous humor of the eye. The proposed chip, in this eye-like setup, is wirelessly charged to 1V from a 5W transmitter 3cm away from the chip. In the second part, we propose a self-biased, differential rectifier with enhanced efficiency over an extended range of input power. A prototype is designed for the medical implant communication service (MICS) band at 433MHz. It demonstrates an efficiency improvement of more than 40% in the rectifier power conversion efficiency (PCE) and a dynamic range extension of more than 50% relative to the conventional cross-coupled rectifier. A sensitivity of -15.2dBm input power for 1V output voltage and a peak PCE of 65% are achieved for a 50k load. In the third part, we propose a wide-range, differential RF-to-DC power converter using an adaptive, self-biasing technique. The proposed architecture doubles the dynamic range of conventional rectifiers. Unlike the continuously self-biased rectifier proposed in the second part, this adaptive rectifier extends the dynamic range while maintaining both the high PCE peak and the sensitivity advantage of the conventional cross-coupled scheme, and can operates in the GHz range.

This thesis presents the simulation, design, and hardware implementation of a modified multiphase boost converter. Converter design must consider noise imposed on input and output nodes which connect to and influence the operation of other devices. Excessive noise introduces EMI which can damage sensitive circuits or impede their operation. High ripple current degrades battery lifetime and reduces operating efficiency in connected systems such as PV arrays. Converters with high ripple current also experience greater peak conduction loss and require larger components. A two-phase implementation of a modified boost converter demonstrates the input current filtering benefits of the modified topology with increased power capacity. In a 12V to 19V 95W design, the modified multiphase design exhibits a reduced input current ripple of 1.103% compared to the 9.096% of the standard multiphase design while imposing minimal detriment to overall converter efficiency. The modified topology uses two inductors and one feedback capacitance per phase. Larger value inductors generally exhibit lower current ratings as well as larger size. The split inductance of the modified multiphase topology can be designed for occupation of less total volume than the single inductance of the standard multiphase topology.

<p></p><p>The modern U.S. power grid is susceptible to a variety of vulnerabilities, ranging from aging infrastructure, increasing demand, and unprecedented interactions (e.g., distributed energy resources (DERs) generating energy back to the grid, etc.). In addition, the rapid growth of new technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) affords promising new capabilities, but also accompanies a simultaneous risk of cybersecurity deficiencies. Coupled with an electrical network referred to as one of the most complex systems of all time, and an overall D+ rating from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), these caveats necessitate revaluation of the electrical grid for future sustainability. Several solutions have been proposed, which can operate in varying levels of coordination. A microgrid topology provides a means of enhancing the power grid, but does not fundamentally solve a critical issue surrounding energy consumption at the endpoint of use. This results from the necessary conversion of Alternating Current (AC) power to Direct Current (DC) power in the vast majority of devices and appliances, which leads to a loss in usable energy. This situation is further exacerbated when considering energy production from renewable resources, which naturally output DC power. To transport this energy to the point of application, an initial conversion from DC to AC is necessary (resulting in loss), followed by another conversion back to DC from AC (resulting in loss).</p> <p> </p> <p>Tackling these losses requires a much finer level of resolution, namely that at the component level. If the network one level below the microgrid, i.e. the nanogrid, operated completely on DC power, these losses could be significantly reduced or nearly eliminated altogether. This network can be composed of appliances and equipment within a single building, coupled with an energy storage device and localized DERs to produce power when feasible. In addition, a grid-tie to the outside AC network can be utilized when necessary to power devices, or satisfy storage needs. </p> <p> </p> <p>This research demonstrates the novel implementation of a DC nanogrid within a residential setting known as <i>The DC Nanogrid House</i>, encompassing a complete household conversion from AC to DC power. The DC House functions as a veritable living laboratory, housing three graduate students living and working normally in the home. Within the house, a nanogrid design is developed in partnership with renewable energy generation, and controlled through an Energy Management System (EMS). The EMS developed in this project manages energy distribution throughout the house and the bi-directional inverter tied to the outside power grid. Alongside the nanogrid, household appliances possessing a significant yearly energy consumption are retrofitted to accept DC inputs. These modified appliances are tested in a laboratory setting under baseline conditions, and compared against AC equivalent original equipment manufacturer (OEM) models for power and performance analysis. Finally, the retrofitted devices are then installed in the DC Nanogrid House and operated under normal living conditions for continued evaluation.</p> <p> </p> <p>To complement the DC nanogrid, a comprehensive sensing network of IoT devices are deployed to provide room-by-room fidelity of building metrics, including proximity, air quality, temperature and humidity, illuminance, and many others. The IoT system employs Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology operating directly on DC voltages, enabling simultaneous communication and energy supply within the nanogrid. Using the aggregation of data collected from this network, machine learning models are constructed to identify additional energy saving opportunities, enhance overall building comfort, and support the safety of all occupants.</p><br><p></p>

The development in power conversion technology is in constant demand of high power efficiency and high power density. The DC-DC power conversion is an indispensable stage for numerous power supplies and energy related applications. Particularly, in PV micro-inverters and front-end converter of power supplies, great challenges are imposed on the power performances of the DC-DC converter stage, which not only require high efficiency and density but also the capability to regulate a wide variation range of input voltage and load conditions. The resonant DC-DC converters are good candidates to meet these challenges with the advantages of achieving soft switching and low EMI. Among various resonant converter topologies, the LLC converter is very attractive for its wide gain range and providing ZVS for switches from full load to zero load condition. The operation of the LLC converter is complicated due to its multiple resonant stage mechanism. A literature review of different analysis methods are presented, and it shows that the study on the LLC is still incomplete. Therefore, an operation mode analysis method is proposed, which divides the operation into six major modes based on the occurrence of resonant stages. The resonant currents, voltages and the DC gain characteristics for each mode is investigated. To obtain a thorough view of the converter behavior, the boundaries of every mode are studied, and mode distribution regarding the gain, load and frequency is presented and discussed. As this operation mode model is a precise model, an experimental prototype is designed and built to demonstrate its accuracy in operation waveforms and gain prediction. iv Since most of the LLC modes have no closed-form solutions, simplification is necessary in order to utilize this mode model in practical design. Some prior approximation methods for converter’s gain characteristics are discussed. Instead of getting an entire gain-vs.-frequency curve, we focus on peak gains, which is an important design parameters indicating the LLC’s operating limit of input voltage and switching frequency. A numerical peak gain approximation method is developed, which provide a direct way to calculate the peak gain and its corresponding load and frequency condition. The approximated results are compared with experiments and simulations, and are proved to be accurate. In addition, as PO mode is the most favorable operation mode of the LLC, its operation region is investigated and an approximation approach is developed to determine its boundary. The design optimization of the LLC has always been a difficult problem as there are many parameters affecting the design and it lacks clear design guidance in selecting the optimal resonant tank parameters. Based on the operation mode model, three optimization methods are proposed according to the design scenarios. These methods focus on minimize the conduction loss of resonant tank while maintaining the required voltage gain level, and the approximations of peak gains and PO mode boundary can be applied here to facilitate the design. A design example is presented using one of the proposed optimization methods. As a comparison, the L-C component values are reselected and tested for the same design specifications. The experiments show that the optimal design has better efficiency performance. Finally, a generalized approach for resonant converter analysis is developed. It can be implemented by computer programs or numerical analysis tools to derive the operation waveforms and DC characteristics of resonant converters

The power requirements for leading edge digital integrated circuits have become increasingly demanding. Power converter systems must be faster, more flexible, more precisely controllable and easily monitored. Meanwhile, in addition to control process, the new functions such as power sequencing, communication with other systems, voltage dynamic programming,load line specifications, phase current balance, protection, power status monitoring and system diagnosis are going into today's power supply systems. Digital controllers, compared withanalog controllers, are in a favorable position to provide basic feedback control as well as those power management functions with lower cost and great flexibility. The dissertation gives an overview of digital controlled power supply systems bycomparing with conventional analog controlled power systems in term of system architecture,modeling methods, and design approaches. In addition, digital power management, as one of the most valuable and "cheap" function, is introduced in Chapter 2. Based on a leading-edge digital controller product, Chapter 3 focuses on digital PID compensator design methodologies, design issues, and optimization and development of digital controlled single-phase point-of-load (POL)dc-dc converter. Nonlinear control is another valuable advantage of digital controllers over analogcontrollers. Based on the modeling of an isolated half-bridge dc-dc converter, a nonlinear control method is proposed in Chapter 4. Nonlinear adaptive PID compensation scheme is implemented based on digital controller Si8250. The variable PID coefficient during transients improves power system's transient response and thus output capacitance can be reduced to save cost. In Chapter 5, another nonlinear compensation algorithm is proposed for asymmetric flybackforward half bridge dc-dc converter to reduce the system loop gain's dependence on the input voltage, and improve the system's dynamic response at high input line. In Chapter 6, a unified pulse width modulation (PWM) scheme is proposed to extend the duty-cycle-shift (DCS) control, where PWM pattern is adaptively generated according to the input voltage level, such that the power converter's voltage stress are reduced and efficiency is improved. With the great flexibility of digital PWM modulation offered by the digital controller Si8250, the proposed control scheme is implemented and verified. Conclusion of the dissertation work and suggestions for future work in related directions are given in final Chapter.