Low Voltage Regulator Modules and Single Stage Front-end Converters

Evolution in microprocessor technology poses new challenges for supplying power to these devices. To meet demands for faster and more efficient data processing, modem microprocessors are being designed with lower voltage implementations. More devices will be packed on a single processor chip and the processors will operate at higher frequencies, exceeding 1GHz. New high-performance microprocessors may require from 40 to 80 watts of power for the CPU alone. Load current must be supplied with up to 30A/µs slew rate while keeping the output voltage within tight regulation and response time tolerances. Therefore, special power supplies and Voltage Regulator Modules (VRMs) are needed to provide lower voltage with higher current and fast response. In the part one (chapter 2,3,4) of this dissertation, several low-voltage high-current VRM technologies are proposed for future generation microprocessors and ICs. The developed VRMs with these new technologies have advantages over conventional ones in terms of efficiency, transient response and cost. In most cases, the VRMs draw currents from DC bus for which front-end converters are used as a DC source. As the use of AC/DC frond-end converters continues to increase, more distorted mains current is drawn from the line, resulting in lower power factor and high total harmonic distortion. As a branch of active Power factor correction (PFC) techniques, the single-stage technique receives particular attention because of its low cost implementation. Moreover, with continuously demands for even higher power density, switching mode power supply operating at high-frequency is required because at high switching frequency, the size and weight of circuit components can be remarkably reduced. To boost the switching frequency, the soft-switching technique was introduced to alleviate the switching losses. The part two (chapter 5,6) of the dissertation presents several topologies for this front-end application. The design considerations, simulation results and experimental verification are discussed

Theoretical study of switching power converters with power factor correction and output regulation

Author name used in this publication: Chi K. Tse2000-2001 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

A family of PFC voltage regulator configurations with reduced redundant power processing

Author name used in this publication: Chi K. TseAuthor name used in this publication: Martin K. H. Cheung2001-2002 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

Bridgeless SEPIC Converter Based Computer Power Supply Using Coupled Inductor

Switched Mode Power Supplies (SMPS) are used as power source for computers. Conventional SMPS used in computers are suffered by some serious problems such as poor power quality, high device stress, slow dynamic response, high harmonic contents, periodically dense, peak currents, distorted input current. To minimize these problems, a non-isolated bridgeless buck-boost single ended primary inductance converter (SEPIC) using coupled inductor is introduced at the front end of the SMPS, which is operated in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). This proposed technique reduces the Total Harmonic Distortion(THD), which results in power factor improvement. The DC output voltage of the SMPS is almost a constant voltage which is regulated by means of the proposed SEPIC converter. For obtaining different dc voltage levels for the PC applications, the output of the front end SEPIC converter is fed to the half-bridge DC-DC converter. The output voltages of the SMPS are controlled by controlling any one of the output voltages. Design and simulation of the proposed converter are carried out using the MATLAB/simulink software

Practical design and evaluation of a 1 kW PFC power supply based on reduced redundant power processing principle

Author name used in this publication: Martin K. H. CheungAuthor name used in this publication: Chi K. Tse2007-2008 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

A New Control Strategy for Photovoltaic System Connected to the Grid via Three-Time-Scale Singular Perturbation Technique with Performance Analysis

This chapter addresses the problem of controlling single-phase grid-connected photovoltaic system through a full bridge inverter with L-filter. The control objectives are threefold: (i) forcing the voltage in the output of photovoltaic panel to track a reference. This reference has been obtained from the maximum power point tracking strategy; (ii) guaranteeing a tight regulation of the DC-link voltage; and (iii) ensuring a satisfactory power factor correction (PFC) at the grid such as the currents injected must be sinusoidal with the same frequency and the same phase as the grid voltage. The considered control problem entails several difficulties including: (i) the high dimension and strong nonlinearity of the system; (ii) the changes in atmospheric conditions. The problem is dealt with by designing a synthesized nonlinear multi-loop controller using singular perturbation technique, in which a three-time-scale dynamics is artificially induced in the closed-loop system. A formal analysis based on the three-time-scale singular perturbation technique and the averaging theory is developed to proved that all control objectives are asymptotically achieved up to small harmonic errors (ripples). The performance of the proposed approach and its strong robustness with respect to climate changes are evaluated based on the various simulations results carried out under Matlab/Simulink software

Analysis, design, modeling, simulation and development of single-switch AC-DC converters for power factor and efficiency improvement

This paper addresses several issues concerning the analysis, design, modeling, simulation and development of single-phase, single-switch, power factor corrected AC-DC high frequency switching converter topologies with transformer isolation. A detailed analysis and design is presented for single-switch topologies, namely forward buck, flyback, Cuk, Sepic and Zeta buck-boost converters, with high frequency isolation for discontinuous conduction modes (DCM) of operation. With an awareness of modern design trends towards improved performance, these switching converters are designed for low power rating and low output voltage, typically 20.25W with 13.5V in DCM operation. Laboratory prototypes of the proposed single-switch converters in DCM operation are developed and test results are presented to validate the proposed design and developed model of the system

Survey on Photo-Voltaic Powered Interleaved Converter System

Renewable energy is the best solution to meet the growing demand for energy in the country. The solar energy is considered as the most promising energy by the researchers due to its abundant availability, eco-friendly nature, long lasting nature, wide range of application and above all it is a maintenance free system. The energy absorbed by the earth can satisfy 15000 times of today’s total energy demand and its hundred times more than that our conventional energy like coal and other fossil fuels. Though, there are overwhelming advantages in solar energy, It has few drawbacks as well such as its low conversion ratio, inconsistent supply of energy due to variation in the sun light, less efficiency due to ripples in the converter, time dependent and, above all, high capitation cost. These aforementioned flaws have been addressed by the researchers in order to extract maximum energy and attain hundred percentage benefits of this heavenly resource. So, this chapter presents a comprehensive investigation based on photo voltaic (PV) system requirements with the following constraints such as system efficiency, system gain, dynamic response, switching losses are investigated. The overview exhibits and identifies the requirements of a best PV power generation system

Solid state transformers topologies, controllers, and applications: State-of-the-art literature review

With the global trend to produce clean electrical energy, the penetration of renewable energy sources in existing electricity infrastructure is expected to increase significantly within the next few years. The solid state transformer (SST) is expected to play an essential role in future smart grid topologies. Unlike traditional magnetic transformer, SST is flexible enough to be of modular construction, enabling bi-directional power flow and can be employed for AC and DC grids. Moreover, SSTs can control the voltage level and modulate both active and reactive power at the point of common coupling without the need to external flexible AC transmission system device as per the current practice in conventional electricity grids. The rapid advancement in power semiconductors switching speed and power handling capacity will soon allow for the commercialisation of grid-rated SSTs. This paper is aimed at introducing a state-of-the-art review for SST proposed topologies, controllers, and applications. Additionally, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis along with a brief review of market drivers for prospective commercialisation are elaborated