Energy harvesting is identified as a promising alternative solution for powering implantable biosensors. It can completely replace the batteries, which are introducing many limitations, and it enables the development of self-powered implantable biosensors. An interface circuit is necessary to correct for differences in the voltage and power levels provided by an energy harvesting device from one side, and required by biosensor circuits from another. This thesis investigates the available energy harvesting sources within the human body, selects the most suitable one and proposes the power management unit (PMU), which serves as an interface between a harvester and biosensor circuits. The PMU targets the efficient power transfer from the selected source to the implantable biosensor circuits. Based on the investigation of potential energy harvesting sources, a thermoelectric energy harvester is selected. It can provide relatively high power density of 100 μW/cm2 at very low temperature difference available in the human body. Additionally, a thermoelectric energy harvester is miniature, biocompatible, and it has an unlimited lifetime. A power management system architecture for thermoelectric energy harvesters is proposed. The input converter, which is the critical block of the PMU, is implemented as a boost converter with an external inductor. A detailed analysis of all potential losses within the boost converter is conducted to estimate their influence on the conversion efficiency. The analysis showed that the inevitable conduction and switching losses can be reduced by the proper sizing of the converter’s switches and that the synchronization losses can be almost completely eliminated by an efficient control circuit. Additionally, usually neglected dead time losses are proved to have a significant impact in implantable applications, in which they can reduce the efficiency with more than 2%. An ultra low power control circuit for the boost converter is proposed. The control is utilizing zero-current switching (ZCS) and zero-voltage switching (ZVS) techniques to eliminate the synchronization losses and enhance the efficiency of the boost converter. The control circuit consumes an average power of only 620 nW. The boost converter driven by the proposed control achieves the peak efficiency higher than 80% and can operate with harvested power below 5 μW. For high voltage conversion ratios, the proposed boost converter/control combination demonstrates significant efficiency improvement compared to state-of-the-art solutions. / <p>QC 20150413</p>

Applications of distributed-power systems are on the rise. They are already used in telecommunication power supplies, aircraft and shipboard power-distribution systems, motor drives, plasma applications, and they are being considered for numerous other applications. The successful operation of these multi-converter systems relies heavily on a stable design. Conventional analyses of power converters are based on averaged models, which ignore the fast-scale instability and analyze the stability on a reduced-order manifold. As such, validity of the averaged models varies with the switching frequency even for the same topological structure. The prevalent procedure for analyzing the stability of switching converters is based on linearized smooth averaged (small-signal) models. Yet there are systems (in active use) that yield a non-smooth averaged model. Even for systems for which smooth averaged models are realizable, small-signal analyses of the nominal solution/orbit do not provide anything about three important characteristics: region of attraction of the nominal solution, dependence of the converter dynamics on the initial conditions of the states, and the post-instability dynamics. As such, converters designed based on small-signal analyses may be conservative. In addition, linear controllers based on such analysis may not be robust and optimal. Clearly, there is a need to analyze the stability of power converters from a different perspective and design nonlinear controllers for such hybrid systems. In this Dissertation, using bifurcation analysis and Lyapunov's method, we analyze the stability and dynamics of some of the building blocks of distributed-power systems, namely standalone, integrated, and parallel converters. Using analytical and experimental results, we show some of the differences between the conventional and new approaches for stability analyses of switching converters and demonstrate the shortcomings of some of the existing results. Furthermore, using nonlinear analyses we attempt to answer three fundamental questions: when does an instability occur, what is the mechanism of the instability, and what happens after the instability? Subsequently, we develop nonlinear controllers to stabilize parallel dc-dc and parallel multi-phase converters. The proposed controllers for parallel dc-dc converters combine the concepts of multiple-sliding-surface and integral-variable-structure control. They are easy to design, robust, and have good transient and steady-state performances. Furthermore, they achieve a constant switching frequency within the boundary layer and hence can be operated in interleaving or synchronicity modes. The controllers developed for parallel multi-phase converters retain many of the above features. In addition, they do not require any communication between the modules; as such, they have high redundancy. One of these control schemes combines space-vector modulation and variable-structure control. It achieves constant switching frequency within the boundary layer and a good compromise between the transient and steady-state performances. / Ph. D.

Bidirectional onboard chargers (OBCs) are becoming mainstream commercial charging equipment for electric vehicles (EVs) because of their compactness, flexibility, and demand-response capabilities for power backup. This thesis focuses on the novel phase shift (PS) modulation techniques for efficiency improvement for bidirectional OBCs, including two-stage onboard chargers (TSOBCs) and single-stage onboard chargers (SSOBCs). A comprehensive overview and investigation of the state-of-the-art solutions of bidirectional OBCs are presented. It reviews the current industrial status, industrial applications, and future trends and challenges. A detailed overview of the promising topologies for bidirectional OBCs, including two-stage and single-stage structures, is also discussed in this thesis. Traditional PS modulation has been widely used in the back-end DC/DC converters of the TSOBCs because of its simple implementation. However, it is challenging to keep high efficiency at boundary operating points within wide specifications. Therefore, to improve efficiency at the boundary point for TSOBCs, the hybrid multiple phase shift (HMPS) modulation technique with minimal peak current optimization is presented to maximize the zero-voltage switching (ZVS) range. Compared to traditional single phase shift (SPS) modulation, the experimental results verify that the presented HMPS modulation strategy provides 1%-2% higher efficiency at the boundary points. On the other hand, an improved compact SSOBC topology and novel PS modulation techniques are proposed. Since the traditional PS modulation is challenging for AC/DC converters to keep a unity power factor (PF), novel PS modulation techniques are presented for the proposed SSOBC. Firstly, a sinusoidal single phase shift (SSPS) modulation introduces a sinusoidal phase shift to maintain a high PF and high efficiency within a wide operating point. However, due to the high current at the zero-crossing point of the grid voltage of the SSPS modulation, the novel adaptive sinusoidal single phase shift (ASSPS) modulation is presented to address this issue, which reduces conduction loss and increases efficiency. Secondly, based on the ASSPS modulation, the adaptive sinusoidal extended phase shift (ASEPS) modulation with minimal peak current optimization is presented to introduce one more degree of freedom to extend the ZVS flexibility, which reduces switching loss. Moreover, the minimal peak current optimization reduces transformer current, further decreasing conduction losses. Therefore, the power loss is minimized. Finally, this thesis presents the general design guideline of a 6 kW Silicon Carbide (SiC)-based bidirectional SSOBC, contributing to the further development of bidirectional SSOBC application. Experimental results verify the operating principle and high PF of the proposed SSPS, ASSPS, and ASEPS modulation. 1 kW experimental testing has validated that the peak efficiency is 95.3% with ASSPS modulation and 95.9% with ASEPS modulation. Compared to the existing pulse width modulation (PWM), the ASSPS modulation increased efficiency by 1.1%, and ASEPS modulation further increased by 1.7%. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

No description available.

One of the requirements for the next generation of power supplies for distributed power systems (DPSs) is to achieve high power density with high efficiency. In the traditional front-end converter based on the two-stage approach for high-power three-phase DPSs, the DC-link voltage coming from the power factor correction (PFC) stage penalizes the second-stage DC/DC converter. This DC/DC converter not only has to meet the characteristics demanded by the load, but also must process energy with high efficiency, high reliability, high power density and low cost. To meet these requirements, approaches such as the series connection of converters and converters that reduce the voltage stress across the main devices have been proposed. In order to improve the characteristics of these solutions, this dissertation proposes high-efficiency, high-density DC/DC converters for high-power high-voltage applications. In the first part of the dissertation, a DC/DC converter based on a three-level structure and operated with pulse width modulation (PWM) phase-shift control is proposed. This new way to operate the three-level DC/DC converter allows soft-switching operation for the main devices. Zero-voltage switching (ZVS) and zero-voltage and zero-current switching (ZVZCS) soft-switching techniques are studied, analyzed and compared in order to improve the characteristics of the proposed converter. This results in a series of ZVS and ZVZCS three-level DC/DC converters for high-power high-voltage applications. In all cases, results from 6kW prototypes operating at 100 kHz are presented. In addition, with the ultimate goal of improving the power density of the DC/DC converter, a study of several resonant DC/DC converters that can operate at higher switching frequencies is presented. From this study, a three-element ZVS three-level resonant converter for applications with wide input voltage and load variations is proposed. Experimental results at 745 kHz obtained without penalizing the efficiency of the PWM approaches are presented. The second part of the dissertation proposes a quasi-integrated AC/DC three-phase converter that aims to reduce the complexity and cost of the traditional two-stage front-end converter. This converter improves the complexity/low-efficiency tradeoff characteristics evident in the two-stage approach and previous integrated converters. The principle of operation for the converter is analyzed and verified on a 3kW experimental prototype. / Ph. D.

Avec l’apparition des systèmes PV en toiture et des véhicules électriques, le nouveau contexte énergétique au sein du bâtiment pose, sous un nouvel angle, la question de la distribution en courant continu au sein des bâtiments. Mais comment évaluer objectivement l’intérêt d’un réseau DC ? Dans un contexte où l’énergie et les impacts environnementaux prennent chaque jour plus d’importance, la quantification des performances d’un tel système selon sa seule phase d’usage ne répond pas complètement à la question son impact global. C’est pourquoi nous proposons d’aborder la question via l’éco-dimensionnement des composants constituant ce système. Pour simplifier un problème fondamentalement complexe (multi-critères), nous avons choisi d’effectuer ces dimensionnements sur la base de la minimisation de leur consommation d’énergie primaire sur l’ensemble de leur cycle de vie (pertes + énergie grise = Gross Energy Requirement GER). L’un des objectifs étant d’apporter à la fois une méthodologie mais aussi les premiers éléments qui permettront de déterminer un optimum du niveau de tension d’une distribution en courant continu dans les bâtiments. / Since the development of roof PV systems and electric vehicles, the use of DC distribution for building has to be explored. However, an objective criterion has to be used to evaluate the interest of such distribution. While energy consumption and environmental impact criteria gain in importance, the performance quantification of such system over the use phase is not sufficient to illustrate its whole impact. That’s why we propose to tackle this evaluation through the eco-sizing of distribution component. In order to simplify this complex problem, based on a multi-criterion approach, we propose to size the components based on the minimization of their primary energy consumption over their entire life cycle. The resulting Gross Energy Requirement GER includes the embodied energy and the losses during the use phase. The objectives are to propose a methodology to determine the optimal voltage level for the building DC distribution, and also to illustrate the proposed approach from case studies. This methodology is applied on wiring and DC/DC converters.

La complexité croissante des dispositifs en électronique de puissance nécessite l'intervention de la conception assistée par ordinateur. Le développement de systèmes électriques/électroniques est effectué à l'aide du prototypage virtuel dans lequel les logiciels de simulation sont utilisés pour prédire le comportement des composants. De ce fait, le prototypage virtuel permet une économie de temps et d'argent pour la réalisation de prototypes. La demande croissante d'appareils à faible puissance et à haut rendement a obligé les concepteurs à analyser précisément les pertes de chaque composant constituant du système. Les composants magnétiques constituent une partie importante des appareils en électronique, par conséquent la modélisation précise des matériaux magnétiques est nécessaire afin de prédire leur comportement réaliste dans des conditions de fonctionnement variables selon l'application. Notre travail s'inscrit dans ce contexte et propose un modèle dynamique non linéaire de composants magnétiques pour une utilisation dans des simulateurs de circuits électriques. Ce modèle de composant magnétique inclut le comportement d'hystérésis non linéaire du matériau et permet une modélisation précise des pertes fer et des pertes joule avec de plus la prise en considération des effets thermiques qui, généralement, ne sont pas pris en compte par les modèles existants. Le modèle est basé sur le principe de la séparation des contributions statiques et dynamiques des pertes fer et s'appuie sur la théorie de Bertotti. Le langage de programmation VHDL-AMS est utilisé en raison de sa fonctionnalité de modélisation multidomaines, permettant un couplage avec un modèle thermique. Le modèle de composant magnétique est mis en oeuvre dans le logiciel de simulation de circuit "Simplorer". Il est ensuite testé dans une application de convertisseur de puissance, le convertisseur abaisseur qui permet de fournir une excitation non-conventionnelle. Le modèle est validé pour différents noyaux d'inductances, différentes ondulations de courant et niveaux de charge, différentes températures et une large gamme de fréquence / The increasing complexity of power electronic devices requires the intervention of computer-aided design in electrical engineering. Development of electric/electronic systems nowadays is carried out by the help of virtual prototyping, in which simulation software are used to predict components behavior without investing time and money to build physical prototypes. The increasing demand of low power, high efficiency devices forced designers to precisely analyze losses in each component constituting the system. Magnetic components constitute a major part of electronics devices. Therefore accurate modeling of magnetic materials is mandatory in order to predict their realistic behavior under variable operating conditions. Our work takes place in this context by proposing a non-linear dynamic model of magnetic components for use in circuit simulators. It includes the material nonlinear hysteretic and dynamic behaviors with accurate modeling of winding and core losses in addition to thermal effects that are not taken into account by existing models. The model is based on the principle of separation of static and dynamic contributions as well as Bertotti’s theory. VHDL-AMS is used as a modeling language due to its multi-domain modeling feature, allowing coupling with a thermal model. The magnetic component model is implemented in circuit simulation software “Simplorer” It is then tested in a widely used power converter application, the buck converter, to ensure non conventional excitation. The model is validated for different core inductors, different current ripples, different loads, different temperatures and a wide frequency range

Ce mémoire s'intéresse à l'étude des comportements dynamiques dans les systèmes d'électronique de puissance. La nature des cycles définis par les variables d'état du système peut être établie soit grâce à un diagramme de bifurcation soit grâce aux multiplieurs de Floquet obtenus par le modèle discret du convertisseur. Cependant, pour certaines structures de convertisseur statique, un modèle discret ne peut être obtenu sans introduire de fortes hypothèses. Les bifurcations de type flip (à l'échelle des hautes fréquences) ne peuvent pas être prédites par le modèle moyen alors qu'elles apparaissent dans de nombreux convertisseurs statiques. Une nouvelle formulation d'un modèle moyen continu permettant d'estimer le premier point de bifurcation (flip, Hopf...) a été présentée. La méthodologie proposée a été appliquée à un convertisseur boost, en mode de conduction continu, contrôlé en courant par différents types de contrôleur à fréquence fixe de commutation. Ensuite, ce modèle moyen a été utilisé pour le dimensionnement des paramètres du régulateur de courant associé à un système de filtrage actif. Les résultats obtenus par le modèle proposé ont été validés par simulation numérique ainsi que par des résultats expérimentaux.Les méthodes d'analyse des cycles limites ont été étendues pour étudier la stabilité des réseaux DC lorsque la fréquence de coupure du filtre LC reliant la source de tension avec le convertisseur statique est proche de la fréquence apparente de commutation des convertisseurs utilisés. Différents modèles discrets ont été développés pour pouvoir considérer ou non le caractère échantillonné de la commande des convertisseurs / This thesis discusses the study of dynamic behavior in power electronics systems. The nature of cycles defined by the state variables of the system can be settled either by a bifurcation diagram or by Floquet multipliers obtained from the discrete model of the converter. However, for certain structures of static converters, a discrete model cannot be obtained without introducing large assumptions. The flip bifurcations (fast-scale) cannot be predicted by the averaged model whereas they appear in many statics converters. A new formulation of a continuous averaged model is presented to estimate the first bifurcation point (flip, Hopf ...). The proposed methodology is applied to a boost converter, operated in continuous conduction mode, controlled by different types of fixed frequency switching current controllers. Then, this averaged model is used for the design of the current controller parameters associated with an active filter system. The variables obtained by the proposed model have been validated by numerical simulation and experimental results. Methods of analysis of limit cycles are extended to study the stability of DC networks when the cutoff frequency of the LC filter between the voltage source and the converter is close to the switching frequency of converters. Different discrete-time models have been developed in order to consider whether to use sampled or no-sampled converter control

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.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / This thesis presents an electronic ballast prototype to supply high-pressure sodium lamps used in public lighting. The goal is to develop a commercial approach able to replace the still commonly used electromagnetic ballasts, performing improvements in the public lighting system. Along this thesis, the state of art in lighting area is presented, especially in public lighting. Following, a bibliographic review about electronic ballasts to supply highpressure sodium lamps is done. Special attention is given to the low frequency square waveform supplying method, which is used in this thesis. Also, the features desired in electronic ballasts so they can operate the lamp reliably and according to the standards are discussed. From this review, the proposed topology is defined and its design is presented. A discrete control method is developed to guarantee the safe operation of the ballast during all lamp stages. A microcontroller is used to perform the control routines. Finally, experimental results are obtained, validating the proposed work. / Este trabalho apresenta uma proposta de sistematização do projeto de um reator eletrônico para alimentação de lâmpadas de vapor de sódio em alta pressão, para aplicação em iluminação pública. Com isto, pretende-se criar um dispositivo que venha a substituir os reatores eletromagnéticos, ainda comumente utilizados nesta aplicação, de modo a proporcionar melhorias nos atuais sistemas de iluminação pública. Ao longo deste trabalho, é feita uma revisão do estado da arte na área de iluminação, dando ênfase à iluminação pública. Em seguida, é apresentada uma revisão bibliográfica acerca dos métodos de alimentação de lâmpadas de vapor de sódio a partir de reatores eletrônicos, destacando-se a alimentação deste tipo de lâmpada com forma de onda quadrada em baixa freqüência, método utilizado neste trabalho. Também são discutidas as características que um reator eletrônico deve possuir para enquadrar-se nas normas vigentes e alimentar a lâmpada de forma confiável. A partir desta revisão, a topologia proposta é definida e seu projeto é apresentado. Uma metodologia de controle discreto é desenvolvida de forma a garantir a operação adequada do reator durante todas as etapas de funcionamento da lâmpada. Um microcontrolador é utilizado para executar as rotinas de controle. Finalmente, resultados experimentais são obtidos, de forma a validar o trabalho proposto.