Thin-film transistors (TFTs) capable of low-voltage and high-frequency operation will be required to reduce the power consumption of next generation electronic devices driven by microelectronic components such as inverters, ring oscillators, and backplane circuits for mobile displays. To produce high performance TFTs, transparent oxide-semiconductors are becoming an attractive alternative to hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H)- and organic-based materials because of their high electron mobility vlaues and low processing temperatures, making them compatible with flexible substrates and opening the potential for low production costs. Practical electronic devices are expected to use p- and n-channel TFT-based complementary inverters to operate with low power consumption, high gain values, and high and balanced noise margins. The p- and n-channel TFTs should yield comparable output characteristics despite differences in the materials used to achieve such performance. However, most oxide semiconductors are n-type, and the only high performance, oxide-based TFTs demonstrated so far are all n-channel, which prevents the realization of complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technologies. On the other hand, ambipolar TFTs are very attractive microelectronic devices because, unlike unipolar transistors, they operate independently of the polarity of the gate voltage. This intrinsic property of ambipolar TFTs has the potential to lead to new paradigms in the design of analog and digital circuits. To date, ambipolar TFTs and their circuits, such as inverters, have shown very limited performance when compared with that obtained in unipolar TFTs. For instance, the electron and hole mobilities typically found in ambipolar TFTs (ATFTs) are, typically, at least an order of magnitude smaller than those found in unipolar TFTs. Furthermore, for a variety of circuits, ATFTs should provide balanced currents during p- and n-channel operations. Regardless of the selection of materials, achieving these basic transistor properties is a very challenging task with the use of current device geometries. This dissertation presents research work performed on oxide TFTs, oxide TFT-based electronic circuits, organic-inorganic hybrid complementary inverters, organic-inorganic hybrid ambipolar TFTs, and ambipolar TFT-based complementary-like inverters in an attempt to overcome some of the current issues. The research performed first was to develop low-voltage and high-performance oxide TFTs, with an emphasis on n-channel oxide TFTs, using high-k and/or thin dielectrics as gate insulators. A high mobility electron transporting semiconductor, amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide (a-IGZO), was used as the n-channel active material. Such oxide TFTs were employed to demonstrate active matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) display backplane circuits operating at low voltage. Then, high-performance hybrid complementary inverters were developed using unipolar TFTs employing organic and inorganic semiconductors as p- and n-channel layers, respectively. An inorganic a-IGZO and pentacene, a widely used organic semiconductor, were used as the n- and p-channel semiconductors, respectively. By the integration of the p-channel organic and n-channel inorganic TFTs, high-gain complementary inverters with high and balanced noise margins were developed. A new approach to find the switching threshold voltage and the optimum value of the supply voltage to operate a complementary inverter was also proposed. Furthermore, we proposed a co-planar channel geometry for the realization of high-performance ambipolar TFTs. Using non-overlapping horizontal channels of pentacene and a-IGZO, we demonstrate hybrid organic-inorganic ambipolar TFTs with channels that show electrical properties comparable to those found in unipolar TFTs with the same channel aspect ratios. A key characteristic of this co-planar channel ambipolar TFT geometry is that the onset of ambipolar operation is mediated by a new operating regime where one of the channels can reach saturation while the other channel remains off. This allows these ambipolar TFTs to reach high on-off current ratios approaching 104. With the new design flexibility we demonstrated organic-inorganic hybrid ambipolar TFT-based complementary-like inverters, on rigid and flexible substrates, that show a significant improvement over the performance found in previously reported complementary-like inverters. From a materials perspective, this work shows that future breakthroughs in the performance of unipolar n-channel and p-channel semiconductors could be directly transposed into ambipolar transistors and circuits. Hence, we expect that this geometry will provide new strategies for the realization of high-performance ambipolar TFTs and novel ambipolar microelectronic circuits.

Thesis (M.S. in Electrical Engineering)--Naval Postgraduate School, June 2004. / Thesis advisor(s): Robert Ashton. Includes bibliographical references (p. 73-74). Also available online.

D. Tech. Electrical Engineering. / Aims to : 1. Derive the analytical solutions for describing the spectral characteristics of multicarrier based multilevel PWM inverter using double Fourier transform. 2. To carry out a comprehensive modelling of a cascaded NPC/H-bridge for PV-Grid application. 3. To integrate the Cascaded NPC/H-bridge inverter, grid and PV model and analyze the power flow characteristics for varying PV source current and voltage. Detailed analysis of PV and development of MPPT algorithm are not part of this thesis. 4. To develop a novel hybrid phase shifted PWM control algorithm and test its superior harmonic suppression in MATLAB simulation. 5. To compare the developed control algorithm with conventional multicarrier approach in terms of harmonic suppression and component count 6. To develop a control scheme that is capable of injecting maximum power into the grid from the model at different environmental conditions. 7. To explore and develop analytical tools for DC- link voltage control of the model. 8. To design and built a scaled down. 9 Level cascaded NPC/H-bridge inverter for grid connected application.

From the early days of HVDC system applications, the importance of mathematical modelling of the dynamics of Line Commutated Converter (LCC) HVDC systems has been appreciated. There are essentially two methodologies used to develop mathematical models of dynamic systems. One methodology is to define the properties of the system by the “laws of nature” and other well-established relationships. Basic techniques of this methodology involve describing the system’s processes using differential equations. This methodology is called “Deductive Modelling”. The other methodology used to derive mathematical models of a dynamic system is based on experimentation. Input and output signals from the original system are recorded to infer a mathematical model of the system. This methodology is known as “Inductive Modelling”. A review of the current state of the art of modelling LCC HVDC systems indicates that majority of the techniques utilized to develop mathematical models of LCC HVDC systems have used the “Deductive Modelling” approach. This methodology requires accurate knowledge of the ac systems and the dc system and involves complicated mathematics. In practice, it is nearly impossible to obtain accurate knowledge of the ac systems connected to LCC HVDC systems. The main aim of this thesis is to present an “Inductive Modelling” methodology to calculate the plant transfer functions of LCC HVDC systems. Due to the uncertain nature of the effective short circuit ratio of rectifier and inverter converter stations, generic ranges of parametric uncertainties of the developed plant transfer functions were determined. Based on the determined range of HVDC plant parametric uncertainty, Quantitative Feedback Theory (QFT) methodology was used to design the parameters of the LCC HVDC control system. The stability of the start-up and step responses for varying ac system conditions validated the “Inductive Modelling” technique and the QFT design methodology. The thesis presents the following, which are considered to be scientific advancements and contributions to the body of knowledge: · Novel LCC HVDC Step Response (HSR) equations were developed using an “Inductive Modeling” technique. · The range of parametric variations of the LCC HSR equations were determined for various rectifier and inverter ac system effective short circuit ratios. · The LCC HSR equations were used to develop the LCC HVDC plant transfer functions for various rectifier and inverter effective short circuit ratios. · The LCC HVDC plant transfer functions were utilized to design an LCC HVDC control system for varying ac system conditions using Quantitative Feedback Theory (QFT) methodology. The main contributions of this thesis relate to LCC HVDC systems. This thesis does not attempt to advance control theory however this thesis does apply existing classical control theory to LCC HVDC control systems. Index Terms: Line Commutated Converter, HVDC, inductive modelling, power system, transient analysis. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZlu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Poorly damped oscillations that occur between the generators in large interconnected power systems often limit the amount of power that can be transmitted through a transmission corridor and are a threat to secure system operation. Coordinated insertion and removal of capacitors in series with a transmission line is one of the approaches that has been known for many years to be capable of enhancing the damping of power system oscillations. Unfortunately however, this approach historically relied on the operation of mechanical circuit breakers which were too slow and unreliable for the high-speed and repetitive operation that such an application demands. Recently-emerged, high-speed power-electronic-based switching devices are finding increasing use in modem power systems in the so-called Flexible AC Transmission Systems (F ACTS) concept. One particular FACTS impedance controller, namely the inverter-based series compensator, can rapidly alter the magnitude of capacitive compensating reactance in series with the line to make it practically feasible to enhance the damping of power system oscillations via dynamically-controlled series compensation. This thesis identifies, in the literature, an insightful approach to the design of an idealised controllable series compensator (CSC) damping scheme; such an approach has been considered in the analyses of the thesis. Three mathematical models of a single-machine infinite bus (SMIB) system are developed and are subsequently used in the initial design and analysis of a CSC damping controller carried out in the thesis. The simple SMIB system case study is used to identify and investigate the factors that have a significant impact on the performance of a CSC damping controller before studying the more complex issue of inter-area mode damping using a CSC. This thesis successfully confirms the results of a previous analytical study in which an idealised representation of the CSC was used, and extends the scope of that previous study by also considering a detailed representation of one particular type of CSC: the inverter-based series compensator. The two key findings of this extended investigation are that the inverter-based form of controllable series compensator can successfully be used to damp power oscillations and that, where the damping of oscillations is the particular focus of study, an idealised representation of the inverterbased CSC is suitable for the analyses. In the case of the inter-area mode damping problem, the selection of an appropriate input signal to the CSC damping controller is a key issue, since the oscillations that are to be damped involve a number of participating generators. This thesis examines the suitability of a few candidate input signals that have been proposed in the literature using the conceptually simpler SMIB system analytical models that have been developed. Finally, the thesis applies the understanding of CSC damping controller design gained from the SMIB study to the problem of inter-area mode damping on a four-generator study system. Time-domain simulation results are presented to demonstrate the impact of the controlled inverter-based series compensator on the damping of the inter-area mode of this system. / Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio University, August, 1993. / Title from PDF t.p.

Thesis (M.S.)--Missouri University of Science and Technology, 2010. / Vita. The entire thesis text is included in file. Title from title screen of thesis/dissertation PDF file (viewed July 26, 2010) Includes bibliographical references (p. 96-102).

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This report presents the design and development of a multilevel inverter for DC reticulation. Two main multilevel inverter topologies are introduced and discussed. The research focusses on the flying capacitor multilevel topology, since it became evident that it is more suitable for DC reticulation than the diode clamped multilevel topology. A bootstrap power supply for the gate drive circuits of a multilevel inverter is developed and its feasibility verified experimentally. A self-starting auxiliary power supply, that aims at addressing the power supply problem of DC to AC and DC to DC converters, is designed and its functionality demonstrated on a flying capacitor multilevel inverter. An FPGA based digital controller for implementing the inverter's control algorithms is also discussed. This controller incorporates a feed-forward output voltage regulation technique. Experimental results obtained with the four-level flying capacitor multilevel inverter, using the FPGA based digital controller and the self-starting auxiliary power supply, are presented in this report. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie verslag word die ontwerp en ontwikkelling van 'n multivlak omsetter vir GS retikulasie bespreek. Twee hoof multivlak omsetter topologië word voorgestel en bespreek. Die navorsing fokus op die "vlieënde-kapasitor" multivlak topologië omdat dit duidelik geword het dat dit 'n beter opsie is vir die GS retikulasie as die diode-klamp multivlak topologië. 'n Kragbron vir die hekaandryfbane van die multivlak omsetter is ontwikkel en die werking daarvan is met experimentele toetse bevestig. 'n Self-begin kragbron, wat die probleem van die kragtoevoer aan die GS na WS en die GS na GS omsetters aanspreek, is ontwerp en die funksionaliteit is gedemonstreer met die "vlieënde-kapasitor" multivlak . omsetter. 'n Digitale beheerder, gebaseer op 'n FPGA, wat gebruik word om die omsetter se beheer algoritmes te implementeer, word ook bespreek. Hierdie beheerder inkorporeer 'n vorentoe-voer uittree spannings regulasie tegniek. Eksperimentele resultate wat gekry is met 'n vier-vlak "vlieënde-kapasitor" multivlak omsetter, wat van die FPGA gebaseerde digitale beheerder en die self-begin kragbron gebruik maak, word ook in die verslag bespreek.

Esta dissertação de mestrado propõe desenvolver a modulação vetorial (space vector – SV) para um inversor trifásico multinível híbrido assimétrico de nove níveis por fase com ponte-H em cascata (cascaded H-bridge – CHB). A verificação do desempenho ocorre através de simulações em software de simulação matemática, e posterior comparações entre duas simulações realizadas, como também a comparação da simulação de melhor desempenho com simulações obtidas com a modulação por síntese de formas de onda quase-quadradas e a modulação híbrida. Para tanto, inicialmente são revisadas as topologias de inversores de frequência mais tradicionais na literatura, identificando as suas características para justificar a escolha da topologia híbrida assimétrica. Posteriomente são revisados os métodos de modulação para inversores de frequência, identificando na modulação vetorial vantagens para sintetização das tensões de linha. Após, são relacioanados trabalhos envolvendo a modulação space vector aplicada em inversores multiníveis. Em seguida, a modulação SV é desenvolvida para o inversor trifásico multinível híbrido assimétrico de nove níveis por fase com ponte-H em cascata, sendo realizadas as seguintes etapas: definição dos possíveis vetores de comutação (estados de chaveamento) do inversor proposto no espaço tridimensional e no plano α-β; identificação dos planos limites e dos planos de separação dos setores no plano α-β; obtenção das matrizes de decomposição e; definição da sequência de comutação. Os resultados, obtidos por meio de software de simulação matemática, dos gráficos das tensões de fase e tensões de linha, assim como os valores de distorção harmônica total (total harmonic distortion – THD), fator de distorção de primeira ordem (first order distortion factor – DF1), tensão de modo comum, espectro harmônico dos sinais das tensões (de fase e de linha) são analisados, sendo os índices de THD, DF1 e tensão de modo comum comparados entre duas sequências de comutação diferentes para o inversor proposto. Também, os valores desses índices são comparados com outras técnicas de modulação (modulação por síntese de formas de onda quase-quadradas (QQ) e a modulação híbrida). O desenvolvimento e os resultados das simulações da modulação SV na topologia híbrida assimétrica de nove níveis proposta, assim como as análises das comparações, apontam resultados satisfatórios, identificando um potencial grandioso da modulação SV desenvolvida. / Submitted by Ana Guimarães Pereira (agpereir@ucs.br) on 2017-09-29T13:33:41Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Fernando Covolan Rosito.pdf: 6134096 bytes, checksum: e34621dae75a6139302a387eb73107b7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-29T13:33:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Fernando Covolan Rosito.pdf: 6134096 bytes, checksum: e34621dae75a6139302a387eb73107b7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-09-29 / This dissertation proposes to develop the space vector (SV) modulation for a three phase hybrid asymmetric multilevel inverter of nine levels per phase with cascaded H-bridge (CHB). Performance verification occurs through software simulations, and subsequent comparisons between two simulations performed, as well as the comparison of the best performance simulation with simulations obtained with the step wave modulation and hybrid modulation. To do this, the topologies of more traditional frequency inverters are reviewed in the literature, identifying their characteristics to justify the choice of hybrid asymmetric topology. Subsequently, the modulation methods for frequency inverters are reviewed, identifying the advantages of vector modulation for the synthesis of line voltages. Afterwards, works involving the space vector modulation applied in multilevel inverters are related. Then, the SV modulation is developed for a three phase hybrid asymmetric multilevel inverter of nine levels per phase with cascaded H-bridge (CHB). The following steps are performed: definition of the possible switching vectors (switching states) of the proposed inverter in three-dimensional space and in the plane α-β; identification of boundary planes and separation plans of sectors in the α-β plane; obtaining the decomposition matrices e; definition of the switching sequence. The results, obtained through mathematical simulation software, of the phase voltages and line voltages graphs, as well as the values of total harmonic distortion (THD), first order distortion factor (DF1), common mode voltage, harmonic spectrum of the voltage signals (phase and line) are analyzed, with THD, DF1 and common mode voltage indices being compared between two different switching sequences for the proposed inverter. In addition, the values of these indices are compared with other modulation techniques (step wave modulation and hybrid modulation). The development and results of the SV modulation simulations in the nine-level hybrid asymmetric topology proposed, as well as the comparative analyzes, indicate satisfactory results, identifying a great potential for SV modulation developed.

Esta pesquisa apresenta um estudo comparativo de inversores monofásicos conectados à rede (sem transformador de acoplamento), empregando geradores fotovoltaicos. Inicialmente é destacada a crescente demanda mundial por energia elétrica e o crescimento da utilização de geração através de fontes renováveis, impulsionando o desenvolvimento dessas tecnologias. Também é apresentado um resumo sobre a geração de energia elétrica fotovoltaica descentralizada, incluindo os principais tipos de sistemas e a sua conexão à rede de distribuição da concessionária. Em busca da redução do custo da energia elétrica produzida com geradores fotovoltaicos, a eliminação do transformador de baixa frequência que conecta o inversor à rede, foi apresentada como uma alternativa interessante. Porém associada à conexão direta do inversor podem surgir correntes de fuga devido à existência de capacitâncias parasitas entre as células fotovoltaicas do painel e o potencial de terra do sistema gerador-rede. Para evitar esses problemas várias modificações no circuito eletrônico dos inversores têm sido propostas visando eliminar variações na tensão de modo comum destes. Esse trabalho busca avaliar algumas destas topologias visando definir parâmetros de desempenho que possam servir como base para a escolha de uma topologia em detrimento as demais para um conjunto de especificações tais como a potência instalada do gerador ou a amplitude da tensão da rede, dentre outros. / This research presents a comparative study of single-phase transformerless grid connected inverters, employing photovoltaic generators. Initially is highlighted the increasing worldwide demand for electricity and the growth of the use of renewable sources, driving the development of these technologies. It is also presented an overview of the photovoltaic decentralized power generation, including the major types of systems and their connection to the utility grid. In order to reduce the electricity cost of photovoltaic generation, the elimination of low frequency transformer that connects the inverter to the grid, was presented as an interesting alternative. But associated with the direct inverter connection, leakage currents may arise due to the existence of parasitic capacitances between the panel photovoltaic cell and the system ground. To avoid these problems, several modifications in the electronic circuit of the inverter have been proposed to eliminate variations in the inverter common mode voltage. This research evaluates some of these topologies in order to define performance parameters that can serve as the basis for choosing a topology over the other for a set of specifications such as the installed power or the amplitude of grid voltage, among others.