This thesis presents a distributed power-management architecture for concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) systems. Specifically, the Δ-conversion scheme with voltage equalization is analyzed and verified for the CPV system from Morgan Solar, Inc. This architecture uses inverting buck-boost converters, denoted Δ-converters, which equalize the voltages of neighbouring CPV cells in a series-connected string of cells and improve the systems tolerance to parameter variations. The power benefits of Δ-conversion and the Δ-converter current distributions are investigated using statistical simulations. The effectiveness of Δ-conversion in the presence of randomly distributed mismatches is demonstrated, and current cascading is identified as the main design challenge. The Δ-converter is modelled and compensated using Middlebrook's Extra Element Theorem. Analysis of measured data from a six-cell CPV system demonstrate the benefits of Δ-conversion under realistic scenarios. Experimental results from prototype systems show up to 31% power benefits in the presence of mismatches.

University of Macau / Faculty of Science and Technology / Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering

In this thesis different control methods are applied to the beam and ball system. Test setup for the previous thesis is handled, circuit assemblies and hardware redesigned. As the system is controlled by the control law partitioning method by a computer, discrete time system model is created. The controllability and the observability of the system are analyzed and a nonlinear controller by using control law partitioning in other words computed torque is designed. State feedback control algorithm previously designed is repeated. In case of calculating the non measurable state variables two different reduced order observers are designed for these two different controllers, one for control law partitioning controller and the other for state-feedback controller. Two controller methods designed for the thesis study are tested in the computer environment using modeling and simulation tools (Also a different controller by using sliding mode controller is designed and tested in the computer environment using simulation tools). A controller software program is written for the designed controller algorithms and this software is tested on the test setup. It is observed that the system is stable when we apply either of the control algorithms.

A robust servo control system based on Integral Variable Structure Model Following Control (IVSMFC) is proposed. The IVSMFC approach comprises a reference model part for specifying the design requirements and an Integral Variable Structure Control (IVSC) part for minimizing the errors between the plant and the model. Sliding mode thus obtained features robustness against external disturbances and parameter variations. Design procedures in both continuous-time and discrete-time have been detailed. The IVSMFC-based servo control system has been successfully applied to a DSP-based brushless DC motor drive for globoidal cam indexing system and to power system. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed scheme can achieve fast and robust responses.

Σε αυτήν την διπλωματική εργασία μελετήσαμε το σύστημα ελέγχου θερμοκρασίας και στάθμης νερού σε δεξαμενή. Αρχικά αναφέρουμε γενικά στοιχεία θεωρίας σχετικά με τον σχεδιασμό συστημάτων ελέγχου στον χώρο κατάστασης και πιο συγκεκριμένα αναλύουμε την μέθοδο ελέγχου με βάση την αυθαίρετη τοποθέτηση πόλων. Στην συνέχεια ασχολούμαστε μεμονωμένα με τον έλεγχο στάθμης νερού σε δεξαμενή. Περιγράφουμε το φυσικό σύστημα και την μονάδα ελέγχου την οποί α χρησιμοποιήσαμε στον χώρο του εργαστηρίου. Έπειτα από μια σειρά πειραμάτων τα οποία εκτελέσαμε και με βάση τις μετρήσεις τις οποίες πήραμε ,μπορέσαμε να υπολογίσουμε τα χαρακτηριστικά των επιμέρους ηλεκτρομηχανολογικών στοιχείων της πειραματικής μας διάταξης, όπως για παράδειγμα της αντλίας νερού, της μονάδας μέτρησης της στάθμης ,καθώς και τα χαρακτηριστικά της στατικής διεργασίας. Ομοίως πράξαμε και για τον έλεγχο θερμοκρασίας νερού σε δεξαμενή και έτσι μπορέσαμε να υπολογίσουμε τα χαρακτηριστικά του στοιχείου θέρμανσης. Στην συνέχεια, δίνουμε την περιγραφή του ολικού συστήματος ελέγχου στάθμης και θερμοκρασίας νερού σε δεξαμενή. Αφού εξάγουμε τις μαθηματικές εξισώσεις οι οποίες περιγράφουν το σύστημα στην μόνιμη κατάσταση, συμπεραίνουμε πως το σύστημα είναι μη γραμμικό. Σχεδιάζουμε το μη γραμμικό σύστημα στο Simulink και γράφοντας κατάλληλο κώδικα στο Matlab μπορέσαμε να γραμμικοποιήσουμε το σύστημά μας γύρω από ένα συγκεκριμένο σημείο λειτουργίας και το διακριτοποιήσαμε. Έπειτα, πάλι με την βοήθεια του λογισμικού προγράμματος Matlab σχεδιάσαμε έναν ελεγκτή με την μέθοδο τοποθέτησης πόλων και τον εφαρμόσαμε στο μη γραμμικό σύστημα για διάφορες τιμές πόλων και εξάγαμε τα συμπεράσματά μας από τα αντίστοιχα διαγράμματα όσων φορά την καλύτερη απόκριση του συστήματος. Την ίδια διαδικασία με παραπάνω εφαρμόσαμε και για ένα διαφορετικό σημείο λειτουργίας του συστήματος. / -

The miniaturization of dc–dc switch-mode power supplies (SMPS) is of a key importance in volume-sensitive portable devices, such as cell phones, tablet computers, and digital cameras. In these systems, multiple SMPS are required to provide well regulated voltage and power to various electronic components such as the central processing unit (CPU) and random-access memory (RAM). The combined volume, weight, and surface area footprint of these SMPS is usually the largest component. Traditionally, SMPS volume reduction has been achieved through increased switching frequencies; however, for power-sensitive applications this is undesirable due to the increased switching losses. This thesis presents two alternative, power-efficient, SMPS miniaturization methods: one control and one topology based. The presented controller recovers from load transients with virtually minimum possible output voltage deviation, reducing the reactive component size. The controller utilizes a simple algorithm, requiring no knowledge of the converter parameters and virtually no processing power. The simplicity of the control concept enabled the design of an area and power efficient integrated circuit (IC) implementation. The entire IC is implemented in a CMOS 0.18µm process on a 0.26 mm2 silicon area, which is comparable to the state-of-the-art analog solutions. For the experimental system the deviation (output capacitor size) is about four times smaller than that of a fast PID compensator having a 1/10th of the switching frequency bandwidth. The second solution is a complementary converter topology that has a smaller output filter volume, improved dynamic response, and lower switching losses compared to the state-of-the-art solutions. To reduce the volume and switching losses, the input-to-output voltage difference is decreased with a capacitive attenuator that replaces the input filter capacitor and has approximately the same volume. Both the attenuator and the downstream buck converter share the same set of switches, minimizing conduction losses. A single multi-mode digital controller governs operation of both stages, seamlessly regulating the output and input center-tap voltages. Experiments with a 5–1.5-V, 2.5-A, 1-MHz prototype show that, compared to the conventional buck, the merged topology has 43% smaller inductor, 36% smaller output capacitor, up to 30% lower power losses, and a 25% faster transient response.

The miniaturization of dc–dc switch-mode power supplies (SMPS) is of a key importance in volume-sensitive portable devices, such as cell phones, tablet computers, and digital cameras. In these systems, multiple SMPS are required to provide well regulated voltage and power to various electronic components such as the central processing unit (CPU) and random-access memory (RAM). The combined volume, weight, and surface area footprint of these SMPS is usually the largest component. Traditionally, SMPS volume reduction has been achieved through increased switching frequencies; however, for power-sensitive applications this is undesirable due to the increased switching losses. This thesis presents two alternative, power-efficient, SMPS miniaturization methods: one control and one topology based. The presented controller recovers from load transients with virtually minimum possible output voltage deviation, reducing the reactive component size. The controller utilizes a simple algorithm, requiring no knowledge of the converter parameters and virtually no processing power. The simplicity of the control concept enabled the design of an area and power efficient integrated circuit (IC) implementation. The entire IC is implemented in a CMOS 0.18µm process on a 0.26 mm2 silicon area, which is comparable to the state-of-the-art analog solutions. For the experimental system the deviation (output capacitor size) is about four times smaller than that of a fast PID compensator having a 1/10th of the switching frequency bandwidth. The second solution is a complementary converter topology that has a smaller output filter volume, improved dynamic response, and lower switching losses compared to the state-of-the-art solutions. To reduce the volume and switching losses, the input-to-output voltage difference is decreased with a capacitive attenuator that replaces the input filter capacitor and has approximately the same volume. Both the attenuator and the downstream buck converter share the same set of switches, minimizing conduction losses. A single multi-mode digital controller governs operation of both stages, seamlessly regulating the output and input center-tap voltages. Experiments with a 5–1.5-V, 2.5-A, 1-MHz prototype show that, compared to the conventional buck, the merged topology has 43% smaller inductor, 36% smaller output capacitor, up to 30% lower power losses, and a 25% faster transient response.

This thesis is concerned with the sampled-data control of non-linear continuous-time systems. Sampled-data systems are present in all computer controlled, hybrid or embedded systems. The design and computation of suitable digital controllers represent unavoidable tasks since both continuous and discrete-time components interact. The basic framework of this work takes part of a wide research activity performed by S. Monaco and D. Normand-Cyrot regarding non-linear sampled-data systems. The underlying idea is to design digital controllers that recover certain continuous-time properties that are usually degraded through sampling as it is the case when continuous-time controllers are implemented by means of zero-order holder devices (emulated control). This thesis brings contributions into three different directions. The first one regards theoretical developments: a new digital backstepping-like strategy design for strict-feedback systems is proposed. This method is compared with other strategies proposed in the literature. The second contribution is the development of a control designer and of a simulation toolbox (in Matlab) for non-linear sampled-data systems. This toolbox includes different digital design strategies such as: multi-rate control, input-output/Lyapunov matching, digital backstepping design, etc. The third contribution concerns several case studies conducted to highlight the performances of the sampled-data controller designs, computed by the means of the software toolbox. Experimental and simulation results are described for various real examples especially in the area of electrical and mechanical processes.

This thesis presents a distributed power-management architecture for concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) systems. Specifically, the Δ-conversion scheme with voltage equalization is analyzed and verified for the CPV system from Morgan Solar, Inc. This architecture uses inverting buck-boost converters, denoted Δ-converters, which equalize the voltages of neighbouring CPV cells in a series-connected string of cells and improve the systems tolerance to parameter variations. The power benefits of Δ-conversion and the Δ-converter current distributions are investigated using statistical simulations. The effectiveness of Δ-conversion in the presence of randomly distributed mismatches is demonstrated, and current cascading is identified as the main design challenge. The Δ-converter is modelled and compensated using Middlebrook's Extra Element Theorem. Analysis of measured data from a six-cell CPV system demonstrate the benefits of Δ-conversion under realistic scenarios. Experimental results from prototype systems show up to 31% power benefits in the presence of mismatches.

This Thesis is concerned with the approximation of high order controllers or the controller reduction problem. We firstly consider approximating high-order controllers by low order controllers based on the closed-loop system approximation. By approximating the closed-loop system transfer function, we derive a new parametrized double-sided frequency weighted model reduction problem. The formulas for the input and output weights are derived using three closed-loop system configurations: (i) by placing a controller in cascade with the plant, (ii) by placing a controller in the feedback path, and (iii) by using the linear fractional transformation (LFT) representation. One of the weights will be a function of a free parameter which can be varied in the resultant frequency weighted model reduction problem. We show that by using standard frequency weighted model reduction techniques, the approximation error can be easily reduced by varying the free parameter to give more accurate low order controllers. A method for choosing the free parameter to get optimal results is being suggested. A number of practical examples are used to show the effectiveness of the proposed controller reduction method. We have then considered the relationships between the closed-loop system con gurations which can be expressed using a classical control block diagram or a modern control block diagram (LFT). Formulas are derived to convert a closed-loop system represented by a classical control block diagram to a closed-loop system represented by a modern control block diagram and vice versa.