Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Multistring PCS With PV Current Variation Reduction Control

In this paper, a grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) multistring power conditioning system with PV input current reduction control is proposed. An improved maximum power point tracking (MPPT) method for the multistring converter is suggested. The suggested MPPT algorithm tracks the maximum power point even though measurement errors exist. To reduce the PV current variation introduced by the inverter, a PV current variation reduction control is suggested. This PV current variation reduction control reduces the PV current variation without additional components. The low current variation reduces the filter size and improves the MPPT efficiency. All algorithms and controllers are implemented on a single-chip microcontroller. Experimental results obtained on a 3-kW prototype show high performance such as a MPPT efficiency of 99.7%, an almost unity power factor, a power efficiency of 96.7%, and a total harmonic distortion of 2.0%.     

A Highly Manufacturable Large Area Array MEMS Probe Card Using Electroplating and Flipchip Bonding

A highly manufacturable microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) probe card was developed by using flipchip bonding technology, which is applicable to large area array bonding ranging from 2- to 8-in substrates. A cantilever-type probe structure for an actual device was electroplated with nickel-cobalt and was bonded with nickel bump, which anchored on the ceramic substrate. Gold-tin (AuSn) was used as the material of flipchip bonding between the cantilever beam and bump. Flipchip bonding itself is not a new technology, but combining it with a MEMS probe card is a novel technique in large area bonding because of the high reflow temperature (280degC, Au₈₀Sn₂₀). Various parallelism bonding processes were used to find the best bonding method. The MEMS probe card was designed to achieve a deflection of 50 mum when 2 gram force (gf) was applied and to keep elasticity up to a deflection of 150 mum. The specification of the probe card was for actual 12-in dynamic random access memory testing. The measured average contact force was 2.04 gf at a 50-mum overdrive. In addition, mechanical and electrical characteristics were also suitable for the actual device test.     

Single-stage line-coupled ac/dc converter with high power factor and ripple-free input current

Single-stage line-coupled ac/dc converter with high power factor and ripple-free input current is proposed. The proposed power factor correction circuit can achieve high power factor and ripple-free input current using a coupled inductor. Experimental results for a 400?W converter at a constant switching frequency of 100?kHz are obtained to show the performance of the proposed converter.     

Optimal constant feedback with time-multiplied performance index for discrete-time linear systems

The design problem of optimal output feedback controller for discrete-time linear time-invariant systems is investigated with a class of time-multiplied quadratic performance indexes. Necessary conditions for optimality are derived. It is shown via example that the design method using such a time-multiplied quadratic performance index improves the transient response of the system.     

Eigenvalue-generalized eigenvector assignment by output feedback

This note generalizes the previous results of the closed-loop eigenstructure assignment via output feedback in linear multivariable systems. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the closed-loop eigenstructure assignment by output feedback are presented. Some known results on entire eigenstructure assignment are deduced from this result.     

A feasibility study of damage tracking through the diffusive communication of wireless sensors

The objective of this paper is to investigate the feasibility of wireless sensors in the development of an autonomous structural health monitoring system. A collaborative searching algorithm is developed such that massively deployed wireless sensor nodes in a structure conveniently comprise a group and constitute a damage-surveillance perimeter. Wireless sensors in this perimeter spontaneously activate themselves for damage-tracking tasks by networking with neighboring sensors. When the damage-sensitive parameter that is measured by a sensor node exceeds a certain threshold, the process of damage-tracking begins. The proposed damage-tracking algorithm does not require any type of global control. Instead, sensor-networking and a pairwise-comparison algorithm that is implemented at each sensor node allows collaborative decision-making for tracking the changes, such as local strain, in structural properties. The extant autonomous, damage-tracking algorithms have been demonstrated through only numerical simulations for a single-damage case. Here, the study is further expanded to address the problem of simultaneously tracking multiple instances of damage in three-dimensional space by using improved algorithms for sensor networking. An event-based task-executing functionality of individual sensor nodes is successfully implemented and verified using four wireless strain sensors that are mounted on a cantilevered beam structure. Experimental results reveal that the overall capability of wireless sensor nodes is functional enough to enable a wireless-based autonomous structural health monitoring system.     

Single-stage line-coupled half-bridge ballast with unity power factor and ripple-free input current using a coupled inductor

A single-stage line-coupled half-bridge ballast with unity power factor and ripple-free input current using a coupled inductor is proposed. The proposed power-factor-correction circuit can achieve unity power factor and ripple-free input current using a coupled inductor. A saturable transformer constituting the self-oscillating drive limits the lamp current and dominates the switching frequency of the ballast. The proposed ballast has high energy efficiency, low cost, and high reliability compared to the conventional high-power-factor electronic ballasts. Experimental results obtained on a 30-W fluorescent lamp is discussed.     

Electrostatic precipitability of the coal fly-ash by the pilot scale test

The equation of the particle collection efficiency proposed by Deutsch has been modified through the various experiments to correct the errors caused by the assumptions made for the equation. In order to get an modified Deutsch equation that can be applied to real conditions, a pilot scale electrostatic precipitator is used. The effects of operational variables on the particle collection efficiency are evaluated. Particle resistivity, gas temperature, moisture contents in gas, gas velocity and particle concentration are used as the operational variables. Two different types of coal fly-ash obtained from the fluidized bed combustor and the pulverized coal combustor are used as test particulate to evaluate the effect of the physiochemical and electrical characteristics of the particle on the particle collection efficiency. The experimental results are fitted with the modified Deutsch equation made by Matts-Öhnfeldt and the extended Deutsch equation made by E. C. Potter to evaluate the effect of the particle characteristics and the operational conditions on the particle collection efficiency of the electrostatic precipitator.     

A PWM buck-boost AC chopper solving the commutation problem

A novel pulsewidth modulation buck-boost AC chopper using regenerative DC snubbers is proposed and analyzed. Compared to the previous buck-boost AC choppers, AC snubbers causing power loss are eliminated using regenerative DC snubbers. Experimental results show that the proposed scheme gives good steady-state performance of the AC chopper, which coincides with the theoretical results