0.18-microm complementary metal-oxide semiconductor push-pull vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser driver operating at 2.5 Gb/s with symmetric rising and falling edges

A vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) driver design that utilizes a novel push-pull circuit topology is described. The VCSEL driver design can provide both a current pushing and a current pulling mechanism and therefore is capable of producing symmetric rise and fall times. The design was implemented in a 0.18-microm foundry n-well complementary metal-oxide semiconductor technology and operates at data rates up to 2.5 Gb/s with a power consumption of 45 mW at an average optical output power of 1 mW.     

Feedforward simple control technique for on-chip all-digital three-phase AC/DC power-MOSFET converter with least components

A novel simple control technique for on-chip all-digital three-phase alternating current to direct current (AC/DC) power-metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFET) converter with least components, which is employed to obtain small current and DC output voltage ripples as well as excellent performance, and using a feedforward simple control method for DC output voltage regulation is proposed. The proposed all-digital feedforward controller has the features of low cost, simple control, fast response, independence of load parameters and the switching frequency, it has no need for compensation, and high stability characteristics; moreover, the proposed controller consists of three operation amplifiers and few digital logic gates that are directly applied to the three-phase converter. The power-MOSFETs are also known as power switches, whose control signals are derived from the proposed all-digital feedforward controller. Instead of thyristors or diodes, the application of power-MOSFETs can reduce the loss of AC/DC converter that is proper to the power supply system. The input stage of an AC/DC converter functions as a rectifier and the output stage is a low pass inductor capacitor (LC) filter. The input AC sources may originate from miniature three-phase AC generator or low-power three-phase DC/AC inverter. The maximum output loading current is 0.8 A and the maximum DC output ripple is less than 200 mV. The prototype of the proposed AC/DC converter has been fabricated with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) 0.35 mum 2P4M complementary MOS (CMOS) processes. The total chip area is 2.333 1.960 mm². The proposed AC/DC converter is suitable for the following three power systems with the low power, DC/DC converter, low-dropout linear regulator and switch capacitor. Finally, the theoretical analysis is verified to be correct by simulations and experiments.     

A high-current very wide-band transconductance amplifier

A novel design approach for a high-current, very-wide-band transconductance amplifier is described. The approach is based on paralleling the input and output of complementary unipolar current-mirror cells. Each cell has a fixed current gain determined by the ratio of two resistors. A differential input voltage-to-current circuit drives the cell array. The design avoids the need for a single low-resistance current-sensing resistor and the attendant problems inherent in such resistors. Although the concept is still under development, a prototype of the cell-based transconductance amplifier was implemented with ten positive and ten negative current cells to gain some experimental familiarity with the approach in addition to providing verification of computer simulation results. The prototype transconductance amplifier is DC coupled, has a 3-dB bandwidth of about 750 kHz, and can deliver up to 35 A RMS (root mean square) at 100 kHz with an output compliance voltage of 5 V RMS. Other important characteristics such as output-load regulation and DC offsets are discussed     

A single-stage AC/DC converter based on zero voltage switching LLC resonant topology

A zero voltage switching based on LLC resonant topology is proposed to implement a single-stage AC/DC converter which performs both input-current harmonics reduction and power factor correction (PFC). By integrating a boost-PFC cell and an LLC resonant DC/DC cell into a single power conversion stage, the power losses in the secondary rectifier diodes and the primary switches can be significantly reduced. The proposed architecture exhibits extreme simplicity and lower cost while providing nearly unity power factor and well-regulated output; hence, the proposed converter is very suitable for low power level applications. The operating principles and design procedures for the proposed converter are analysed and discussed. Simulation and experimental results from a 125 W laboratory prototype are provided to verify the feasibility.     

DC reactor type transformer inrush current limiter

A new inrush current limiter (ICL) is presented to limit the inrush current of transformers. The proposed ICL consists of three similar sets. Each set includes a diode-bridge and a single DC reactor and is connected in series with the individual phases of transformer. The ICL has almost no effect on normal operation of transformer. It needs no control, measurement and gate driving system and has a simple power circuit topology. The equivalent instantaneous inductance of transformer is used for analysis of circuit operation. The theoretical analysis, design features, power losses and voltage distortion because of using ICL are presented. The proposed method has been tested by simulation and laboratory experiments. Both results show that the proposed ICL successfully limits the inrush current.     

Single-stage unity power factor based electronic ballast

This paper deals with the design, modeling, analysis and implementation of unity power factor (UPF) based electronic ballast for a fluorescent lamp (FL). The proposed electronic ballast uses a boost AC–DC converter as a power factor corrector (PFC) to improve the power quality at the input ac mains. In this single-stage UPF based electronic ballast, boost PFC converter and a half bridge series resonant inverter (HBSRI) share a common power switch. Thus one power switch is reduced as compared to the conventional two-stage approach. The design, modeling, analysis and implementation of this topology were carried out in MATLAB-Simulink environment for a T8 36 W, 220 V, 50 Hz fluorescent lamp. The switching frequency was kept more than the resonant frequency of the inverter, to ensure the zero voltage switching (ZVS) operation of both power switches. This resulted in reduction of high frequency switching losses. The power quality parameters such as displacement power factor (DPF), distortion factor (DF), power factor (PF), crest factor (CF) and total harmonic distortion of ac mains current (THD_i) were evaluated to analyze the performance of proposed electronic ballast. Test results on a developed prototype of PFC electronic ballast were included to validate the design and simulated results.     

Use of solar cell in electrokinetic remediation of cadmium-contaminated soil

This preliminary study used a solar cell, instead of direct current (DC) power supply, to generate electric field for electrokinetic (EK) remediation of cadmium-contaminated soil. Three EK tests were conducted and compared; one was conducted on a cloudy and rainy day with solar cell, one was conducted on a sunny day with solar cell and another was conducted periodically with DC power supply. It was found that the output potential of solar cell depended on daytime and was influenced by weather conditions; the applied potential in soil was affected by the output potential and weather conditions, and the current achieved by solar cell was comparable with that achieved by DC power supply. Solar cell could be used to drive the electromigration of cadmium in contaminated soil, and removal efficiency achieved by solar cell was comparable with that achieved by DC power supply. Compared with traditional DC power supply, using solar cell as power supply for EK remediation can greatly reduce energy expenditure. This study provided an alternative to improve the EK soil remediation and expanded the use of solar cell in environmental remediation.     

Power calibrator using switched mode voltage source

The paper is focused on a sophisticated switched mode power supply with a pure sinusoidal output voltage waveform with frequency (40-65 Hz) and voltage range (30-500 V). In order to cope with stringent voltage (10.2%) and distortion constraint (THD<0.7%) in a modern calibration system, traditional inverter design with an output LC filter is upgraded with a feedback-feedforward control principle. The paper presents the voltage source topology, analyzes its steady-state response and gives its comprehensive evaluation. Using a simple sensor that is capable to detect a small voltage asymmetry at the presence of a high AC component (500 VRMS), the parasitic DC component is limited below 5 mV. Experimental results demonstrate exceptional voltage accuracy (<0.2%) and low total harmonic distortion (THD)     

Design and implementation of PV-based three-phase four-wire series hybrid active power filter for power quality improvement

This paper proposes a Photovoltaic (PV)-based three-phase four-wire Series Hybrid Active Power Filter (SHAPF), it comprises of a Series Active Power Filter (SAPF) and an LC shunt passive filter. The proposed system eliminates both the current and voltage harmonics and compensates reactive power, neutral current and voltage interruption. A SAPF demands a source of energy for compensating the voltage sag/swell. This system found a new topology for SHAPF which utilizes the PV with DC–DC boost converter as a source of DC power for the series active filter. The compensation current reference evaluation is based on the twin formulation of the vectorial theory of electrical power theorem with Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC). The PV array/battery managed DC–DC boost converter is employed to step up the voltage to meet the DC bus voltage requirement of the three-leg Voltage Source Inverter (VSI). The foremost benefit of the proposed system is that, it will provide uninterrupted compensation for the whole day. This system utilizes the renewable energy; accordingly saves the energy and provides the uninterruptable power supply to critical/sensitive load, through the PV array/battery bank during both day time and night time. An experimental model was established and results were obtained, which indicated the capability of the proposed control scheme.     

Control of a converter system for an asymmetrical parameter type two-phase induction motor drive operating in motoring and generating modes

The control of a converter system is presented and discussed for an asymmetrical parameter type two-phase induction machine drive that is operating in motoring and generating modes. The proposed system consists of back-to-back voltage source converters. For a machine side, a three-leg voltage source converter provides both unbalanced and balanced two-phase output voltages with a scalar V/F control based on a carrier space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) technique. For a front end, a single-phase AC/DC doubled voltage converter with hysteresis current control is used to keep DC-link voltage constant, thus resulting in a bi-directional power flow operation for the motoring and generating modes. A closed-loop design for the DC-link voltage is fully given and also included is a review of carrier-based SVPWM for two-phase three-leg VSI. The proposed drive system was both simulated using MATLAB/SIMULINK and implemented on digital microcontrollers. The comparative performance evaluation of the whole system between balanced and unbalanced two-phase voltages for the machine is given. The simulation and experimental results show that the unbalanced phase voltage offers better performance for the whole system.     

交流变频调速系统仿真建模及谐波特性分析

随着电力电子技术的发展,交流变频调速系统以其强大的优势逐渐取代传统的直流调速传动,其在给人们生产生活带来方便和效率的同时,也造成了电力系统谐波污染加重的问题。因此,设计了一种开环正弦脉宽调制（sinusoidal pulse width modulation,SPWM）控制的交流变频调速系统并搭建仿真模型,实现了对系统中变频器输出电压频率和幅值及电机转速的灵活控制。对系统网侧电压和电流进行了谐波特性分析,结果表明：网侧电压的波形比较理想、畸变很小,而电流波形畸变严重;且随着变频器输出频率的增加,电压波形畸变程度有所加剧,电流畸变程度有所减轻。     

New building block: multiplication-mode current conveyor

A new building block called the multiplication-mode current conveyor (MMCC) is proposed here. The structure consists of a differential voltage current conveyor (DVCC) and a folded Gilbert cell without any other auxiliary circuits. Based on the MMCC, a four-quadrant analogue multiplier is designed in TSMC 0.35 μm CMOS 2P4M processes with power supply ±1.65 V. HSPICE post-layout simulation results show that the maximum DC operating range is ±200 mV, the loading range is from 1 to 10 kΩ, the bandwidth is about 90 MHz, the total harmonic distortion (THD) is 0.85%, the power consumption is 1.08 mW and the chip area without pads is 0.48 x 0.36 mm². The new square summer and analogue divider applications employing MMCCs are also presented.     

Prioritizing and quantifying the risk of outstanding corrective actions

This paper presents methods for assessing the risk of outstanding corrective actions, and describes how the methods were applied at a nuclear power station. The methods are motivated by a current industry focus on risk-informed operation and a current NRC focus on risk-informed regulation. Application of the methods provides: (1) a risk-informed basis for establishing schedules and allocating resources to implement corrective actions; (2) a risk-informed basis for justifying continued operation until corrective actions are implemented.     

计算机仿真在造纸系统中的应用

讨论了一种面向造纸机直流调速系统结构图的通用计算机探讨仿真软件,着变对转速、电流双闭环系统各环节进行分析、设计、并用输出曲线全面分析、论证了造机系统的可行性。     

A reliable high-powered constant current supply

The use of series-connected saturable reactors operating in the constrained mode has proven to be a reliable and trouble-free means for developing constant current power such as that required by transoceanic cable systems. As the art has progressed towards the use of higher and higher ac power frequencies, however, it has become increasingly difficult to design a single ac power source of substantial power rating without resorting to rather complex and inefficient circuitry. In practice, the saturable reactors are used in conjunction with transformers. This paper demonstrates that by departing from convention in the design of the saturable reactor and output transformer, it is possible, using a single reactor and transformer, to combine the outputs from a multiplicity of ac power sources or converter stages on a load sharing basis so as to obtain a single supply with the required power rating. The particular arrangement of the specially designed saturable reactor and output transformer permits a unique interaction to be established in which the two complement one another; the reactor controlling the summation of source currents to achieve output regulation and the transformer proportioning these currents among the sources to insure proper sharing of load power. Variations in load power are automatically accompanied by a shift in the operating power factor of the individual sources. Also, because the method affords electrical isolation, sources of unequal current, voltage, and power ratings can readily be combined. Furthermore, this technique permits the use of excess (redundant) ac sources so that normal operation can be maintained following the loss of output from any one of the sources.     

Novel zero voltage switching dual-switch forward converter with ripple current cancellation

A zero voltage switching (ZVS) dual-switch forward converter with ripple current cancellation is presented. In the proposed converter, active clamp circuit is used to clamp the voltage stresses and to realise ZVS of all switching devices. Active clamp boost converter with power factor correction is used in the front stage of the proposed converter to draw a sinusoidal line current from the AC source and to maintain a constant voltage at the DC bus. The second stage of the proposed converter is a dual-switch forward converter with current doubler rectifier to obtain the isolated low output voltage. Active clamp circuit used in the DC/DC converter can recycle the energy stored in the leakage inductor and magnetising inductor so that the voltage stresses on the switches are limited and the ZVS feature is realised. The current doubler rectifier offers the ripple current cancellation at the output capacitor and reduces the current stress of the transformer secondary winding. The circuit configuration and principle of operation are analysed and discussed in detail. Experimental results with a laboratory prototype based on a 90-260 V_rms input and 12 V/30 A output were provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed converter.     

敏感用户高品质交-直流级联供电方案研究

工业过程中大量使用的变频器(variable frequency drive,VFD)在采用传统交流供电时易受到电压暂降影响,传统治理方式存在检测延时、控制复杂等问题。为此,该文从敏感负荷变频器在电网扰动工况下的供电需求量化出发,围绕供电拓扑设计、DC/DC变换器的控制策略及储能单元容量配置等方面,构建一种实用化工业用交-直流级联供电方案。该文利用电压暂降过程中直流供电回路与敏感负荷间的压差自感应控制,实现交-直流供电回路无扰动切换,提高电压暂降治理响应的快速性;采用两相交错并联DC/DC变换器接入集中式储能,减少储能系统纹波系数,并给出两相均流控制方法。最后,通过Matlab/Simulink中的建模仿真与样机的实验测试,验证所提方案能够在交流系统发生不同严重程度电压暂降过程中为各类敏感负荷提供稳定的连续供电,为解决工业敏感用户高品质供电问题提供可实用的新思路。     

论电子式直流电能表实行强制检定的必要性

由直流电流(或代表直流电流的电压)和直流电压作用于固态(电子)元件而产生与被测电能成正比输出的仪表,称为电子式直流电能表。通过对电子式直流电能表的计量检定,加强了直流电能、直流功率测量技术和测量方法的研究,推动了整体质量的不断提升。     

Exploring figures of merit associated with the suboptimum operation of class-E power amplifiers

Closed-form design equations for the operation of a class-E amplifier for zero switch voltage slope and arbitrary duty cycle are derived. This approach allows an additional degree of freedom in the design of class-E amplifiers which are normally designed for 50% duty ratio. The analysis developed permits the selection of non-unique solutions where amplifier efficiency is theoretically 100% but power output capability is less than that the 50% duty ratio case would permit. To facilitate comparison between 50% (optimal) and non-50% (suboptimal) duty ratio cases, each important amplifier parameter is normalised to its corresponding optimum operation value. It is shown that by choosing a non-50% suboptimal solution, the operating frequency of a class-E amplifier can be extended. In addition, it is shown that by operating the amplifier in the suboptimal regime, other amplifier parameters, for example, transistor output capacitance or peak switch voltage, can be included along with the standard specification criteria of output power, DC supply voltage and operating frequency as additional input design specifications. Suboptimum class-E operation may have potential advantages for monolithic microwave integrated circuit realisation as lower inductance values (lower series resistance, higher self-resonance frequency, less area) may be required when compared with the results obtained for optimal class-E amplifier synthesis. The theoretical analysis conducted here was verified by harmonic balance simulation, with excellent agreement between both methods.     

Fuel cell power conditioning for electric power applications: a summary

Fuel cells are considered to be one of the most promising sources of distributed energy because of their high efficiency, low environmental impact and scalability. Unfortunately, multiple complications exist in fuel cell operation. Fuel cells cannot accept current in the reverse direction, do not perform well with ripple current, have a low output voltage that varies with age and current, respond sluggishly to step changes in load and are limited in overload capabilities. For these reasons, power converters are often necessary to boost and regulate the voltage as a means to provide a stiff applicable DC power source. Furthermore, the addition of an inverter allows for the conversion of DC power to AC for an utility interface or for the application of an AC motor. To help motivate the use of power conditioning for the fuel cell, a brief introduction of the different types, applications and typical electrical characteristics of fuel cells is presented. This is followed by an examination of the various topologies of DC-DC boost converters and inverters used for power conditioning of fuel cells. Several architectures to aggregate multiple fuel cells for high-voltage/high-power applications are also reviewed.