Study and design of topologies and components for high power density DC-DC converters

Size reduction of low power electronic DC–DC converters is a topic of major interest for power electronics which requires the study and design of circuits and components working under redefined requirements. For this purpose, novel circuital topologies provide advantages in terms of power density increment, especially where a single chip design is feasible. These concepts have been applied to design and implement an integrated high step-down multiphase buck converter and to study the miniaturization of a stackable fiflyback architecture. Particular attention has been dedicated to power inductors, focusing on the modeling and measurement of magnetic materials’ hysteresis and core losses

Microelectronic Design with Integrated Magnetic and Piezoelectric Structures

This thesis investigates the possibility of integrating the standard CMOS design process with additional microstructures enhancing circuit functionalities. More specifically, the thesis faces the problem of miniaturization of magnetic and piezoelectric devices mostly focused on the application field of EH (Energy Harvesting) systems and ultra-low power and ultra-low voltage systems. It shows all the most critical aspects which have to be taken into account during the design process of miniaturized inductors for PwrSoC (Power System on Chip) or transformers. Furthermore it shows that it is possible to optimize the inductance value and also performances by means of a proper choice of the size of the planar core or choosing a different layout shape such as a serpentine shape in place of the classic toroidal one. A new formula for the correct evaluation of the MPL (Magnetic Path Length) was also introduced. Concerning the piezoelectric counterpart, it is focused on the design and simulation of various MEMS PTs based on a SOI (Silicon on Insulator) structure with AlN (Alluminum Nitride) as active piezoelectric element, in perspective of having a SoC with embedded MEMS devices and circuitry. Furthermore it demonstrates for the first time the use of a PT (Piezoelectric Transformer) for ultra-low voltage EH applications. A new boost oscillator based on a discrete PZT (Lead Zirconate Titanate) PT instead of a MT (Magnetic Transformer) has been modelled and tested on a circuit made up by discrete devices, showing performances comparable to commercial solutions like the LTC3108 from Linear. Furthermore this novel boost oscillator has been designed in a 0.35μm technology by ST Microelectronics, showing better performances as intuitively expected by the developed mathematical model of the entire system

A generalized approach to planar induction heating magnetics

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2012.This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.Cataloged from student submitted PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 85-90).This thesis describes an efficient numerical simulation technique of magnetoquasistatic electromagnetic fields for planar induction heating applications. The technique is based on a volume-element discretization, integral formulation of Maxwell's equations, and uses the multilayer Green's function to avoid volumetric meshing of the heated material. The technique demonstrates two orders of magnitude of computational advantage compared to existing FEM techniques. Single-objective and multiobjective optimization of a domestic induction heating coil are performed using the new technique, using more advanced algorithms than those previously used due to the increase in speed. Both optimization algorithms produced novel, three-dimensional induction coil designs.by Richard Yi Zhang.S.M

Investigation of methods for data communication and power delivery through metals

PhD ThesisThe retrieval of data from a sensor, enclosed by a metallic structure, such as a naval vessel, pipeline or nuclear flask is often very challenging. To maintain structural integrity it is not desirable to penetrate the wall of the structure, preventing any hard-wired solution. Furthermore, the conductive nature of the structure prevents the use of radio communications. Applications involving sealed containers also have a requirement for power delivery, as the periodic changing of batteries is not possible. Ultrasound has previously been identified as an attractive approach but there are two key challenges: efficient/reliable ultrasonic transduction and a method of overcoming the inherent multipath distortion resulting from boundary reflections. Previous studies have utilised piezoelectric contact transducers, however, they are impractical due to their reliance on coupling, i.e. the bond between the transducer and the metal surface, which leads to concerns over long term reliability. A non-contact transducer overcomes this key drawback, thus highlighting the electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) as a favourable alternative. This thesis presents the design and testing of an EMAT with appropriate characteristics for through-metal data communications. A low cost, low power data transmission scheme is presented for overcoming acoustic multipath based on pulse position modulation (PPM). Due to the necessary guard time, the data rate is limited to 50kbps. A second solution is presented employing continuous wave, Quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) modulation, allowing data rates in excess of 1Mbps to be achieved. Equalisation is required to avoid intersymbol interference (ISI) and a decision feedback equaliser (DFE) is shown to be adept at mitigating this effect. The relatively low efficiency of an EMAT makes it unsuitable for power delivery, consequently, an alternative non-contact approach, utilising inductive coupling, is explored. Power transfer efficiency of ≈ 4% is shown to be achievable through 20mm thick stainless steel.ICS department of BAE Systems Submarine Solutions, EPSR

On Enhancing Microgrid Control and the Optimal Design of a Modular Solid-State Transformer with Grid-Forming Inverter

abstract: This dissertation covers three primary topics and relates them in context. High frequency transformer design, microgrid modeling and control, and converter design as it pertains to the other topics are each investigated, establishing a summary of the state-of-the-art at the intersection of the three as a baseline. The culminating work produced by the confluence of these topics is a novel modular solid-state transformer (SST) design, featuring an array of dual active bridge (DAB) converters, each of which contains an optimized high-frequency transformer, and an array of grid-forming inverters (GFI) suitable for centralized control in a microgrid environment. While no hardware was produced for this design, detailed modeling and simulation has been completed, and results are contextualized by rigorous analysis and comparison with results from published literature. The main contributions to each topic are best presented by topic area. For transformers, contributions include collation and presentation of the best-known methods of minimum loss high-frequency transformer design and analysis, descriptions of the implementation of these methods into a unified design script as well as access to an example of such a script, and the derivation and presentation of novel tools for analysis of multi-winding and multi-frequency transformers. For microgrid modeling and control, contributions include the modeling and simulation validation of the GFI and SST designs via state space modeling in a multi-scale simulation framework, as well as demonstration of stable and effective participation of these models in a centralized control scheme under phase imbalance. For converters, the SST design, analysis, and simulation are the primary contributions, though several novel derivations and analysis tools are also presented for the asymmetric half bridge and DAB.Dissertation/ThesisDoctoral Dissertation Electrical Engineering 201

Ironless Inductive Position Sensor for Harsh Magnetic Environments

Linear Variable Differential Transformers (LVDTs) are widely used for high-precision and high-accuracy linear position sensing in harsh environments, such as the LHC collimators at CERN. These sensors guarantee theoretically infinite resolution and long lifetimes thanks to contactless sensing. Furthermore, they offer very good robustness and ruggedness, as well as micrometer uncertainty over a range of centimeters when proper conditioning techniques are used (such as the three-parameter Sine-Fit algorithm). They can also be suitable for radioactive environments. Nevertheless, an external DC/slowly-varying magnetic field can seriously affect the LVDT reading, leading to position drifts of hundreds of micrometers, often unacceptable in high-accuracy applications. The effect is due to the presence of non-linear ferromagnetic materials in the sensor’s structure. A detailed Finite Element model of an LVDT is first proposed in order to study and characterize the phenomenon. The model itself becomes a powerful design tool for possible countermeasures to the interference effect. In particular, a combination of magnetic shielding and DC polarization is proposed to reduce the drift due to the external field. Nevertheless, such solutions cannot lead to complete immunity, given the unavoidable presence of magnetic materials in the sensor. Taking the CERN application as a starting point, this thesis aims at conceiving, modelling and characterizing a valid alternative to LVDTs for harsh magnetic environments, which would guarantee magnetic-field-immune position sensing while keeping all the advantageous properties of LVDTs. The Ironless Inductive Position Sensor (I2PS) is an air-cored structure made of 5 coaxial coils. The position sensing is achieved by spatially-variable magnetic fluxes, which give rise to position-dependent coil voltages, just as for LVDTs. The complete electromagnetic model of the sensor is proposed, showing the working principle and demonstrating the magnetic-field immunity from a theoretical viewpoint. In addition, a high-frequency electromagnetic analysis is performed, in order to model the skin and proximity effects in the conductors and foresee their impact on the sensor’s functioning. The models are validated with FEM simulations and experimental measurements. The thermal behaviour of the sensor is also investigated and an effective compensation algorithm is proposed to cancel the temperature-dependence of the position reading. In addition, a smart real-time reading algorithm is proposed in order to significantly reduce the estimation error of standard three-parameter Sine-Fit algorithms when an additional sinusoidal signal is present on the main waveform. Finally, a generic optimization procedure is proposed in order to maximize the performances of the sensor in terms of sensitivity. Taking this procedure as a guideline, an actual I2PS optimized prototype is designed and manufactured, having the specifications of the LHC collimators application as a reference. The optimized prototype shows immunity to external ramped and sinusoidal fields, as expected. In addition, it is used for the experimental validation of the models and the reading techniques, which demonstrate their effectiveness

Magnetic machines and power electronics for power MEMS applications

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2005.Includes bibliographical references (p. 321-323).This thesis presents the modeling, design, and characterization of microfabricated, surface-wound, permanent-magnet (PM) generators, and their power electronics, for use in Watt-level Power MEMS applications such as a microscale gas turbine engine. The generators are three-phase, axial-flux, synchronous machines, comprising a rotor with an annular PM and ferromagnetic core, and a stator with multi-turn surface windings on a soft magnetic substrate. The fabrication of the PM generators, as well as the development of their high-speed spinning rotor test stand, was carried out by collaborators at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The machines are modeled by analytically solving 2D magneto-quasistatic Maxwell's Equations as a function of radius and then integrating the field solutions over the radial span of the machine to determine the open-circuit voltage, torque and losses in the stator core. The model provides a computationally fast method to determine power and efficiency of an axial-air-gap PM machine as a function of geometry, speed and material properties. Both passive and active power electronics have been built and tested. The passive power electronics consist of a three-phase transformer and diode bridge rectifier.(cont.) The active power electronics consist of a switch-mode rectifier based on the boost semi-bridge topology which is used to convert the unregulated AC generator voltages to a regulated 12 V DC without the need for rotor position/speed or stator terminal current/voltage sensing. At the rotational speed of 300,000 rpm, one generator converts 16.2 W of mechanical power to electrical power. Coupled to the transformer and diode bridge rectifier, it delivers 8 W DC to a resistive load. This is the highest output power ever delivered by a microscale electric generator to date. The corresponding power and current densities of 57.8 MW/m3 and 6x 108 A/m2, respectively, are much higher than those of a macroscale electric generator. At the rotational speed of 300,000 rpm, the generator and switch-mode rectifier delivered 5.5 W DC to a resistive load at a power density three times that of the passive electronics. This Watt-scale electrical power generation demonstrates the viability of scaled PM machines and power electronics for practical Power MEMS applications.by Sauparna Das.Ph.D

Real-time Digital Simulation of Guitar Amplifiers as Audio Effects

Práce se zabývá číslicovou simulací kytarových zesilovačů, jakož to nelineárních analogových hudebních efektů, v reálném čase. Hlavním cílem práce je návrh algoritmů, které by umožnily simulaci složitých systémů v reálném čase. Tyto algoritmy jsou prevážně založeny na automatizované DK-metodě a aproximaci nelineárních funkcí. Kvalita navržených algoritmů je stanovana pomocí poslechových testů.The work deals with the real-time digital simulation of guitar amplifiers considered as nonlinear analog audio effects. The main aim is to design algorithms which are able to simulate complex systems in real-time. These algorithms are mainly based on the automated DK-method and the approximation of nonlinear functions. Quality of the designed algorithms is evaluated using listening tests.