Sensorless multi-loop control of phase-controlled series-parallel resonant converter

This paper proposes a multi-loop controller for the phase-controlled series-parallel resonant converter. Output voltage is solely measured for control and inner loop is used to enhance closed loop stability and dynamic performance compared to single-loop control. No additional sensors are used for inner loop variables. These are estimated using a Kalman filter, based on a linearized converter model. The advantage of this sensorless scheme is not only reducing the number of sensors but more significantly providing an alternative to sensing high frequency resonant tank variables which require high microcontroller resolution in real time. First, the converter non-linear large signal behavior is linearized using a state feedback based scheme. Consequently, the converter preserves its large signal characteristics while modeled as a linear system. Comparison is made between the most suitable state variables for feedback, according to a stability study. Finally, simulation and experimental results are demonstrated to validate the improved system performance in contrast with single-loop control

Modified half-bridge modular multilevel converter for HVDC systems with DC fault ride-through capability

One of the main challenges of voltage source converter based HVDC systems is DC faults. In this paper, two different modified half-bridge modular multilevel converter topologies are proposed. The proposed converters offer a fault tolerant against the most severe pole-to-pole DC faults. The converter comprises three switches or two switches and 4 diodes in each cell, which can result in less cost and losses compared to the full-bridge modular multilevel converter. Converter structure and controls are presented including the converter modulation and capacitors balancing. MATLAB/SIMULINK simulations are carried out to verify converter operation in normal and faulty conditions

Analysis and hardware testing of cell capacitor discharge currents during DC faults in half-bridge modular multilevel converters

This paper focuses on the behaviour of the cell capacitor discharge currents during DC faults in half-bridge modular multilevel converters. Active switches, not designed for fault conditions, are tripped to minimize discharge currents effect on the semiconductor switches. Two levels of device protection are commonly in place; driver level protection monitoring collector-emitter voltage and overcurrent protection with feedback measurement and control. However, unavoidable tripping delay times, arising from factors such as sensor lags, controller sampling delays and hardware propagation delays, impact transient current shape and hence affect the selection of semiconductor device ratings as well as arm inductance. Analytical expressions are obtained for current slew rate, peak transient current and resultant I2t for the cell capacitor discharge current taking into account such delays. The study is backed by experimental testing on discharge of a 900V MMC capacitor

State feedback linearized model for phase-controlled series-parallel resonant converters

This paper proposes a linearized large-signal state space model for phase-controlled series-parallel resonant converter. The model combines multiple-frequency and average state-space modeling techniques to generate a universal model with DC state variables that are easier to control compared to the fast resonant tank dynamics. In order to perform linearization, the proposed model utilizes a state feedback scheme from output filter inductor current. The model also serves as a tool for large signal prediction/estimation of converter state variables. The model accuracy was verified by comparing with a detailed switching model of the converter built in MATLAB simulation environment

Design and implementation of 30kW 200/900V LCL modular multilevel based DC/DC converter for high power applications

This paper presents the design, development and testing of a 30kW, 200V/900V modular multilevel converter (MMC) based DC/DC converter prototype. An internal LCL circuit is used to provide voltage stepping and fault tolerance property. The converter comprises two five level MMC based on insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) and metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET). Due to low number of levels, selective harmonic elimination modulation (SHE) is used, which determines the switching angles in such a way that third harmonic is minimized whereas the fundamental component is a linear function of the modulation index. In addition, instead of using an expensive control board, three commercial control boards are embedded. This is required to implement the sophisticated DC/DC converter control algorithm. Simulation and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the converter performance in step up and down modes

Comprehensive steady state analysis of bidirectional dual active bridge DC/DC converter using triple phase shift control

Several papers have been published recently on TPS control of dual active bridge (DAB) converter, however, no complete study of the converter operation behaviour exists, that takes into account all switching modes in both charging and discharging (bidirectional) power transfer. In this paper, six switching modes and their complements with opposite power transfer direction are defined with their operational constraints. Exact expressions for power transferred are derived with no fundamental frequency assumptions and range of power transfer for each mode is also defined to characterize mode limitations. Detailed constraints for zero voltage switching (ZVS) are also obtained. A new definition for converter reactive power consumption is introduced. This is based on calculation of inductor apparent power which avoids fundamental frequency approximations as well as the vague negative (back flowing) power definitions in recent papers. All known DAB phase shift modulation techniques including conventional, dual and extended phase shift, represent special cases from triple phase shift, therefore the presented analysis provides a generalised theory for all phase shift based modulation techniques

The determinants that affect the success of Loan loss provisioning: Analysing the UK banking industry.

Although there is an abundance of literature that discusses the loan loss provisioning theory in great detail. This paper wants to utilize the findings from contemporary literature and integrate that research, to investigate the effects on the UK banking industry. The paper uses analytical econometric models to examine the cost efficiency of UK banks, and assess how loan loss provisioning is determined by employing selected variables. The results illustrate there are diseconomies of scale, and only one out of three hypotheses are proven to be true. Policy recommendations flow from the findings. Its objective is to explain the imperative nature of fixing the adverse effects of pro-cyclicality and refining diseconomies of scale for the industry, thus advocating the need to be more efficient

Multi-port converter for medium and high voltage applications

This work presents a multi-port converter (MPC) that is well-suited for use as a hybrid hub in complex multi-terminal high-voltage direct current (MTDC) networks. The proposed MPC generates several and controllable DC voltages from a constant or variable input DC voltage or AC grid. Its operating principle is explained and corroborated using simulations and experimentations