On optimizing micropower MOS regulated cascode circuits on switched current techniques

Trade-off between settling time and micropower consumption in MOS regulated cascode current sources as building parts in high-accuracy, current-switching D/A converters is analyzed. The regulation-loop frequency characteristic is obtained and difficulties to impose a dominant-pole condition to the resulting 2nd-order system are discussed. Raising pole frequencies while meeting consumption requirements is basically limited by parasitic capacitances. An alternative is found by imposing a twin-pole system in which design constraints are somewhat relaxed and settling slightly faster. Relationships between pole frequencies, transistor geometry and bias are established. Simulated waveforms obtained with PSpice of designed circuits following a voltage perturbation suggest a good agreement with theory. The proposed approach applied to the design of a micropower current-mode D/A converter improves its simulated settling performance.

A new three-phase low THD power supply with high-frequency isolation and 60V/200A regulated DC output

This work proposes a new isolated high power factor 12kW power supply based on an 18-pulse transformer arrangement. Three full-bridge converters are used for isolation and to balance the DC-link currents, without current sensing or a current controller. The topology provides a regulated DC output with a very simple control strategy. Simulation and experimental results are presented in this paper.

Dimmable electronic ballast with high power-factor SEPIC preregulator, for multiple tubular fluorescent lamps

An electronic ballast for multiple tubular fluorescent lamps is presented in this paper. The proposed structure features high power-factor, dimming capability, and soft-switching to the semiconductor devices operated in high frequencies. A Zero-Current-Switching - Pulse-Width-Modulated (ZCS-PWM) SEPIC converter composes the rectifying stage, controlled by the instantaneous average input current technique, performing soft-commutations and high input power factor. Regarding the inverting stage, it is composed by a classical resonant Half-Bridge converter, associated to Series Parallel-Loaded Resonant (SPLR) filters. The dimming control technique employed in this Half-Bridge inverter is based on the phase-shift in the current processed through the sets of filter + lamp. In addition, experimental results are shown in order to validate the developed analysis.

Planning of secondary distribution circuits through evolutionary algorithms

In this work, the planning of secondary distribution circuits is approached as a mixed integer nonlinear programming problem (MINLP). In order to solve this problem, a dedicated evolutionary algorithm (EA) is proposed. This algorithm uses a codification scheme, genetic operators, and control parameters, projected and managed to consider the specific characteristics of the secondary network planning. The codification scheme maps the possible solutions that satisfy the requirements in order to obtain an effective and low-cost projected system-the conductors' adequate dimensioning, load balancing among phases, and the transformer placed at the center of the secondary system loads. An effective algorithm for three-phase power flow is used as an auxiliary methodology of the EA for the calculation of the fitness function proposed for solutions of each topology. Results for two secondary distribution circuits are presented, whereas one presents radial topology and the other a weakly meshed topology. © 2005 IEEE.

An improved design procedure for LCC resonant filter of dimmable electronic ballasts for fluorescent lamps, based on lamp model

This paper presents an improved design methodology for the determination of the parameters used in the classical series-resonant parallel-loaded (SRPL) filter employed in the switching frequency controlled dimmable electronic ballasts. According to the analysis developed in this paper, it is possible to evaluate some important characteristics of the resonant filter during the dimming operation, such as: range of switching frequency, phase shift, and rms value of the current drained by the resonant filter + fluorescent lamp set. Experimental results are presented in order to validate the analyses developed in this paper. © 2005 IEEE.

A procedure to estimate parameters of a line segment taking into account its representation through π circuits: Theoretical development

The objective of this paper is to show an alternative methodology to estimate per unit length parameters of a line segment of a transmission line. With this methodology the line segment parameters can be obtained starting from the phase currents and voltages in receiving and sending end of the line segment. If the line segment is represented as being one or more π circuits whose frequency dependent parameters are considered lumped, its impedance and admittance can be easily expressed as functions of the currents and voltages at the sending and receiving end. Because we are supposing that voltages and currents at the sending and receiving end of the line segment (in frequency domain) are known, it is possible to obtains its impedance and admittance and consequently its per unit length longitudinal and transversal parameters. The procedure will be applied to estimate the longitudinal and transversal parameters of a small segment of a single-phase line that is already built. © 2006 IEEE.

Evaluating the effects of high penetrations of roof-top wind Turbines on secondary distribution circuits

Incentives for using wind power and the increasing price of energy might generate in a relatively short time a scenario where low voltage customers opt to install roof-top wind turbines. This paper focuses on evaluating the effects of such situation in terms of energy consumption, loss reduction, reverse power flow and voltage profiles. Various commercially-available roof-top wind turbines are installed in two secondary distribution circuits considering real-life wind speed data and seasonal load demand. Results are presented and discussed. © 2006 IEEE.

RBF circuits based on folded cascode differential pairs

We propose new circuits for the implementation of Radial Basis Functions such as Gaussian and Gaussian-like functions. These RBFs are obtained by the subtraction of two differential pair output currents in a folded cascode configuration. We also propose a multidimensional version based on the unidimensional circuits. SPICE simulation results indicate good functionality. These circuits are intended to be applied in the implementation of radial basis function networks. One possible application of these networks is transducer signal conditioning in aircraft and spacecraft vehicles onboard telemetry systems. Copyright 2008 ACM.

Multiloop controller and reference generator for a dynamic voltage restorer implementation

This paper deals with the design and analysis of a Dynamic Voltage Restorer output voltage control. Such control is based on a multiloop strategy, with an inner current PID regulator and an outer P+Resonant voltage controller. The inner regulator is applied on the output inductor current. It will be also demonstrated how the load current behavior may influence in the DVR output voltage, which justifies the need for the resonant controller. Additionally, it will be discussed the application of a modified algorithm for the identification of the DVR voltage references, which is based on a previously presented positive sequence detector. Since the studied three-phase DVR is assumed to be based on three identical H-bridge converters, all the analysis and design procedures were realized by means of single-phase equivalent circuits. The discussions and conclusions are supported by theoretical calculations, nonlinear simulations and some experimental results. ©2008 IEEE.

Critical evaluation of FBD, pq and CPT current decompositions for four-wire circuits

This paper investigates the major similarities and discrepancies of three important current decompositions proposed for the interpretation of unbalanced and/or non linear three-phase four-wire circuits. The considered approaches were the so-called FBD Theory, the pq-Theory and the CPT. Although the methods are based on different concepts, the results obtained under ideal conditions (sinusoidal and balanced signals) are very similar. The main differences appear in the presence of unbalanced and non linear load conditions. It will be demonstrated and discussed how the choice of the voltage referential and the return conductor impedance can influence in the resulting current components, as well as, the way of interpreting a power circuit with return conductor. Under linear unbalanced conditions, both FBD and pq-Theory suggest that the some current components contain a third-order harmonic. Besides, neither pq-Theory nor FBD method are able to provide accurate information for reactive current under unbalanced and distorted conditions, what seems to be done by means of the CPT. © 2009 IEEE.

Three-phase four-wire circuits interpretation by means of different power theories

In order to contribute to the discussion of defining a generalized power theory, valid for unbalanced and non linear circuits, this paper discusses the relationship and discrepancies among four modern power theories. Three-phase four-wire circuits, under different conditions, have been analyzed, since the most conflicting and intriguing interpretations take place in case of return conductor occurrence. Simulation results of different load, power supply and line conditions will be discussed in order to elucidate the author's conclusions and to provoke the readers for additional discussions. © 2010 IEEE.

Radial basis function circuits using folded cascode differential pairs

In this paper, we propose new circuits for the implementation of Radial Basis Functions (RBF). These RBFs are obtained by the subtraction of two differential pair output currents in a folded cascode configuration. We also propose a multidimensional version based on the unidimensional circuits. SPICE simulation and experimental results indicate good functionality. These circuits are intended to be applied in the implementation of radial basis function networks. Possible applications of these networks include transducer signal conditioning and processing in onboard telemetry systems for aircraft and spacecraft vehicles. © 2010 IEEE.

Structure of a novel class II phospholipase D: Catalytic cleft is modified by a disulphide bridge

Phospholipases D (PLDs) are principally responsible for the local and systemic effects of Loxosceles envenomation including dermonecrosis and hemolysis. Despite their clinical relevance in loxoscelism, to date, only the SMase I from Loxosceles laeta, a class I member, has been structurally characterized. The crystal structure of a class II member from Loxosceles intermedia venom has been determined at 1.7. Å resolution. Structural comparison to the class I member showed that the presence of an additional disulphide bridge which links the catalytic loop to the flexible loop significantly changes the volume and shape of the catalytic cleft. An examination of the crystal structures of PLD homologues in the presence of low molecular weight compounds at their active sites suggests the existence of a ligand-dependent rotamer conformation of the highly conserved residue Trp230 (equivalent to Trp192 in the glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase from Thermus thermophofilus, PDB code: 1VD6) indicating its role in substrate binding in both enzymes. Sequence and structural analyses suggest that the reduced sphingomyelinase activity observed in some class IIb PLDs is probably due to point mutations which lead to a different substrate preference. © 2011 Elsevier Inc.

Comparative analysis for reactive energy measurement methodologies, under non-sinusoidal conditions in three-phase four-wire circuits

This paper presents some methodologies for reactive energy measurement, considering three modern power theories that are suitable for three-phase four-wire non-sinusoidal and unbalanced circuits. The theories were applied in some profiles collected in electrical distribution systems which have real characteristics for voltages and currents measured by commercial reactive energy meters. The experimental results are presented in order to analyze the accuracy of the methodologies, considering the standard IEEE 1459-2010 as a reference. Finally, for additional comparisons, the theories will be confronted with the modern Yokogawa WT3000 energy meter and three samples of a commercial energy meter through an experimental setup. © 2011 IEEE.

Sistema de extração de potência (power harvesting) usando transdutores piezelétricos

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