Overview of Power Electronic Switches: A Summary of the Past, State-of-the-Art and Illumination of the Future

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Ultra High Voltage IC design with a 400V CMOS technology: a dimmer application

The advent of Ultra High Voltage (UHV) technologies for integrated circuit fabrication opens up new possibilities for the design of circuits that connect directly to the power distribution network, with applications in the design of compact power sources, domotics, smart-grids, etc. This project proposes the design, fabrication and characterization of circuits in an UHV technology, of which a fully integrated two terminal phase-cut dimmer was chosen as an example. At the time of writing this thesis, no commercially available integrated circuit exists that fully implements a phase cut dimmer, and no academic papers could be found referencing similar circuits. The circuit was designed on a 1µm UHV MOS technology in a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer (XDM10 from XFAB). The dimmer can operate with a duty cycle of up to 95% power (80% time) and a load of up to 100W which is adequate for modern domestic dimmable LED lights. The total occupied silicon area is 6.5mm2 without pads. Because of technological limitations, the final version of the dimmer is almost fully integrated. Two low voltage capacitors and four UHV diodes are outside the ASIC.Con la popularización de tecnologías de fabricación de circuitos integrados de ultra alto voltaje (UHV), surge la posibilidad de diseñar circuitos integrados conectados directamente a la red de distribución, con aplicaciones en fuentes compactas, domótica, smart-grids, entre otras. Este proyecto propone el diseño, fabricación y caracterización de circuitos en tecnología UHV. Se toma como ejemplo un atenuador por corte de fase de dos terminales. Al momento de escribir esta tesis, no existen circuitos integrados comerciales que implementan un atenuador por corte de fase completo, ni se pudo encontrar artículos académicos haciendo referencia a dispositivos similares. El circuito fue diseñado en una tecnología de 1µm UHV MOS (XDM10 de XFAB) en una oblea de silicio sobre aislante (SOI). Puede operar con un ciclo de trabajo hasta 95% de potencia (80% en tiempo) y una carga de hasta 100W, lo que es adecuado para lámparas atenuables de LED. El área total de silicio ocupada es de 6.5mm2 sin contar pads. Debido a limitaciones tecnológicas, la versión final del atenuador es casi completamente integrada. Dos capacitores de bajo voltaje y cuatro diodos UHV quedan por fuera del ASIC

DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM WITH IN-SITU PICOAMMETER FOR AUTOMATED RELIABILITY TESTING

In recent years, the military has been exploring the use of wide bandgap semiconductors (WBGS) such as gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC) due to their promising material properties, as compared to silicon (Si). Understanding the reliability of these high-performance WBGS devices is paramount to their implementation in military systems. However, it remains to be tested because good-quality reliability data is needed, but it is difficult and expensive to produce. This thesis looks at the design and implementation of a modular reliability testing subsystem in the form of a novel data acquisition system. First, a system was designed to perform automated, in-situ leakage current measurements of up to four devices under test (DUT) with sub-nA resolution. Next, a wide sample of devices consisting of a resistor, two Zener diodes, a power diode, two GaN diodes, and a field effect transistor (FET) were subjected to various voltage sweep and reverse-bias tests that were recorded by the system. Finally, the results of those validation tests were processed and analyzed. The system achieved leakage current resolutions below 100 pA, demonstrating its ability to measure various devices.ONR Arlington, VA, 22217Captain, United States Marine CorpsApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

Memristor-based Random Access Memory: The delayed switching effect could revolutionize memory design

Memristor’s on/off resistance can naturally store binary bits for non-volatile memories. In this work, we found that memristor’s another peculiar feature that the switching takes place with a time delay (we name it “the delayed switching”) can be used to selectively address any desired memory cell in a crossbar array. The analysis shows this is a must-be in a memristor with a piecewise-linear ?-q curve. A “circuit model”-based experiment has verified the delayed switching feature. It is demonstrated that memristors can be packed at least twice as densely as semiconductors, achieving a significant breakthrough in storage density

Addressing single molecular spin with graphene based nano-architectures.

Finding reliable methods to exploit molecular degrees of freedom represents an intriguing problem involving the control of new mechanisms at the nano-scale and several technological challenges. Here we report a novel approach to address single molecular spin embedded in an electronic circuit. Our devices make use of molecules with well-defined magnetic anisotropy (TbPc2) embedded in nano-gapped electrodes obtained by electro-burning graphene layers. Such devices work as molecular spin transistors allowing the detection of the Tb spin flip during the sweep of an external magnetic field. The spin read out is made by the molecular quantum dot that, in turns, is driven by an auxiliary gate voltage. In the general context of (spin-)electronics, these results demonstrate that: 1) molecular quantum dots can be used as ultra-sensitive detectors for spin flip detection and 2) the use of graphene electrodes as platform to contact organo-metallic molecule is a viable route to design more complex nano-architectures

Design and development of auxiliary components for a new two-stroke, stratified-charge, lean-burn gasoline engine

A unique stepped-piston engine was developed by a group of research engineers at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), from 2003 to 2005. The development work undertaken by them engulfs design, prototyping and evaluation over a predetermined period of time which was iterative and challenging in nature. The main objective of the program is to demonstrate local R&D capabilities on small engine work that is able to produce mobile powerhouse of comparable output, having low-fuel consumption and acceptable emission than its crankcase counterpart of similar displacement. A two-stroke engine work was selected as it posses a number of technological challenges, increase in its thermal efficiency, which upon successful undertakings will be useful in assisting the group in future powertrain undertakings in UTM. In its carbureted version, the single-cylinder aircooled engine incorporates a three-port transfer system and a dedicated crankcase breather. These features will enable the prototype to have high induction efficiency and to behave very much a two-stroke engine but equipped with a four-stroke crankcase lubrication system. After a series of analytical work the engine was subjected to a series of laboratory trials. It was also tested on a small watercraft platform with promising indication of its flexibility of use as a prime mover in mobile platform. In an effort to further enhance its technology features, the researchers have also embarked on the development of an add-on auxiliary system. The system comprises of an engine control unit (ECU), a directinjector unit, a dedicated lubricant dispenser unit and an embedded common rail fuel unit. This support system was incorporated onto the engine to demonstrate the finer points of environmental-friendly and fuel economy features. The outcome of this complete package is described in the report, covering the methodology and the final characteristics of the mobile power plant