Microcontroller-based peak current mode control using digital slope compensation

Microcontroller-based peak current mode control of a buck converter is investigated. The new solution uses a discrete time controller with digital slope compensation. This is implemented using only a single-chip microcontroller to achieve desirable cycle-by-cycle peak current limiting. The digital controller is implemented as a two-pole, two-zero linear difference equation designed using a continuous time model of the buck converter and a discrete time transform. Subharmonic oscillations are removed with digital slope compensation using a discrete staircase ramp. A 16 W hardware implementation directly compares analog and digital control. Frequency response measurements are taken and it is shown that the crossover frequency and expected phase margin of the digital control system match that of its analog counterpart.

Analysis and design of constant-frequency peak-current-controlled high-power-factor boost rectifier with slope compensation

This paper presents the analysis and the design of a peak-current-controlled high-power-factor boost rectifier, with slope compensation, operating at constant frequency. The input current shaping is achieved, with continuous inductor current mode, with no multiplier to generate a current reference. The resulting overall circuitry is very simple, in comparison with the average-current-controlled boost rectifier. Experimental results are presented, taken from a laboratory prototype rated at 370 W and operating at 67 kHz. The measured power factor was 0.99, with a input current THD equal to 5.6%, for an input voltage THD equal to 2.26%.

Nanoelectronic devices-resonant tunnelling diodes grown on InP substrates by molecular beam epitaxy with peak to valley current ratio of 17 at room temperature

This paper reports that lnAs/In0.53Ga0.47As/AlAs resonant tunnelling diodes have been grown on InP substrates by molecular beam epitaxy. Peak to valley current ratio of these devices is 17 at 300K. A peak current density of 3kA/cm(2) has been obtained for diodes with AlAs barriers of ten monolayers, and an In0.53Ga0.47As well of eight monolayers with four monolayers of InAs insert layer. The effects of growth interruption for smoothing potential barrier interfaces have been investigated by high resolution transmission electron microscope.

Peak-to-Peak Output Current Ripple Analysis in Multiphase and Multilevel Inverters

Analysis of the peak-to-peak output current ripple amplitude for multiphase and multilevel inverters is presented in this PhD thesis. The current ripple is calculated on the basis of the alternating voltage component, and peak-to-peak value is defined by the current slopes and application times of the voltage levels in a switching period. Detailed analytical expressions of peak-to-peak current ripple distribution over a fundamental period are given as function of the modulation index. For all the cases, reference is made to centered and symmetrical switching patterns, generated either by carrier-based or space vector PWM. Starting from the definition and the analysis of the output current ripple in three-phase two-level inverters, the theoretical developments have been extended to the case of multiphase inverters, with emphasis on the five- and seven-phase inverters. The instantaneous current ripple is introduced for a generic balanced multiphase loads consisting of series RL impedance and ac back emf (RLE). Simplified and effective expressions to account for the maximum of the output current ripple have been defined. The peak-to-peak current ripple diagrams are presented and discussed. The analysis of the output current ripple has been extended also to multilevel inverters, specifically three-phase three-level inverters. Also in this case, the current ripple analysis is carried out for a balanced three-phase system consisting of series RL impedance and ac back emf (RLE), representing both motor loads and grid-connected applications. The peak-to-peak current ripple diagrams are presented and discussed. In addition, simulation and experimental results are carried out to prove the validity of the analytical developments in all the cases. The cases with different phase numbers and with different number of levels are compared among them, and some useful conclusions have been pointed out. Furthermore, some application examples are given.

Characteristics of the first pre-discharge current pulse in SF6 under a steep fronted impulse voltage

An improved understanding of the characteristics of the pre-discharge current pulses in GIS will lead to improved analyses of the results from the UHF partial discharge detection method. This paper presents the characteristics of the first pre-discharge current pulses from a point-to-plain geometry at 1 bar absolute under both polarities of a 1.1/80 us lightning impulse. The analysis has shown that the pre-discharge current wave shape, peak current magnitude and charge is effected by the instantaneous voltage at which the pre- discharge took place as well as the polarity of the active electrode. The measured results show that protrusions on the electrodes have slower wave shape parameters than those reported for free conducting particles.

Dependence of current-voltage characteristics of pseudomorphic AlAs/In0.53Ga0.47As/InAs resonant tunnelling diodes on quantum well widths

This paper studies the dependence of I - V characteristics on quantum well widths in AlAs/In0.53Ga0.47As and AlAs/In0.53Ga0.47As/InAs resonant tunnelling structures grown on InP substrates. It shows that the peak and the valley current density in the negative differential resistance region are closely related with quantum well width. The measured peak current density, valley current densities and peak-to-valley current ratio of resonant tunnelling diodes are continually decreasing with increasing well width.

Experimental verification on the origin of plateau-like current-voltage characteristics of resonant tunneling diodes

Current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of GaAs-based resonant tunneling diodes have been investigated in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field. Electron resonant tunneling is strongly suppressed by the applied magnetic field, leading to peak current decreasing with increasing magnetic field. The observed plateau-like structures appear in negative differential resistance region on the I-V curves and are magnetic-field dependent. The plateau-like structures are due to the coupling between the energy levels in the emitter well and in the main quantum well. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.

Unidirectional current flow of reversible redox couples on a MoO3 film-modified microelectrode

In this paper, we have investigated the reactivity of the molybdenum oxide film toward some standard redox systems (e.g., ferrocene (Fc) and its derivatives) and observed a few interesting phenomena. The results demonstrate that the electrochemical behaviour of Fc and its derivatives at the oxide-modified carbon fiber (CF) microelectrode differs from that at a bare CF microelectrode, The conductivity of the molybdenum oxide film is seriously affected by the range and the direction of the potential scan, which influences the electrochemical behaviour of these redox systems at the film electrode. If the cycling potential is more positive than the reduction potential of the molybdenum oxide film, the reduction and oxidation peak currents of Fc and its derivatives could not be observed. The result indicates that the molybdenum oxide film on a microelectrode surface cannot transfer electrons between the surface of the electrode and Fc or its derivatives due to the existence of a high resistance between the interface in these potential ranges. On the other hand, if the lower limit of the scan potential was extended to a potential more negative than the reduction peak potential of the film, the oxidation peak of Fc or its derivatives appeared at about the potential relative to E-0 of Fc or its derivatives on the bare electrode, and the peak current is proportional to the concentration of these couples in the electrolyte. To our surprise, the peak height on the modified electrode is much larger than that on the bare CF microelectrode under the same conditions in the range of low concentration of these couples, and the oxidation peak potential of these couples is more negative than that on the bare CF microelectrode. On the basis of the experimental observation, we propose that these redox couples may undergo an interaction with the reduction state of the molybdenum oxide film. The new phenomena that we observed have been explained by using this interaction. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.

Tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium current in sheep lymphatic smooth muscle.

1. Fast inward currents were elicited in freshly isolated sheep lymphatic smooth muscle cells by depolarization from a holding potential of -80 mV using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. The currents activated at voltages positive to -40 mV and peaked at 0 mV. 2. When sodium chloride in the bathing solution was replaced isosmotically with choline chloride inward currents were abolished at all potentials. 3. These currents were very sensitive to tetrodotoxin (TTX). Peak current was almost abolished at 1 microM with half-maximal inhibition at 17 nM. 4. Examination of the voltage dependence of steady state inactivation showed that more than 90% of the current was available at the normal resting potential of these cells (-60 mV). 5. The time course of recovery from inactivation was studied using a double-pulse protocol and showed that recovery was complete within 100 ms with a time constant of recovery of 20 ms. 6. Under current clamp, action potentials were elicited by depolarizing current pulses. These had a rapid upstroke and a short duration and could be blocked with 1 microM TTX. 7. Spontaneous contractions of isolated rings of sheep mesenteric lymphatic vessels were abolished or significantly depressed by 1 microM TTX.

Analysis of the current distribution in an aluminum electrolysis cell with copper collector-bar cathode assembly

Understanding the magneto-hydrodynamic forces generated due to the external magnetic field and current density distribution within the cell (current in cell linings) is important in the optimization of cell dynamics. It is well documented that these factors play a crucial role in establishing the metal-pad stability of the cell. Conventional cells use the cathode-collector-bar assembly to carry the current through molten aluminium, the cathode and the steel collector-bar to nearest external bus. The electrical conductivity of the steel is so poor relative to the molten aluminium that the outer third of the collector bar carries the maximum load, which in turn increases the horizontal components of the current within the cell. Previous studies have modelled improvement in the cell instability through external magnetic compensation by redistributing current in the cathode busbar. Very little to date has been published on work to improve the current distribution within the cell. In this work, the current distribution in an aluminium electrolysis cell with copper collector-bar was predicted using finite element modelling. A 2D cross-section of a commercial cell was used under steady conditions of electrical fields in anode, electrolyte, molten aluminium and copper cathode-assembly. Different shapes and sizes of the cathode assembly are also considered to optimise the distribution of current throughout the cathode lining. The findings indicated that the copper-bar of similar size to steel could save voltage up to 150 mV. There is a reduction of more than 70% in peak current density value due to the copper inserts. The predicted trends of current distribution show a good agreement with previously published data.

A new class of neurotoxin from wasp venom slows inactivation of sodium current

The effects of alpha-pompilidotoxin (alpha-PMTX), a new neurotoxin isolated from the venom of a solitary wasp, were studied on the neuromuscular synapses in lobster walking leg and the rat trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons. Paired intracellular recordings from the presynaptic axon terminals and the innervating lobster leg muscles revealed that alpha-PMTX induced long bursts of action potentials in the presynaptic axon, which resulted in facilitated excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission. The action or alpha-PMTX was distinct from that of other known facilitatory presynaptic toxins, including sea anemone toxins and alpha-scorpion toxins, which modify the fast inactivation of Na+ current. We further characterized the action of alpha-PMTX on Na+ channels by whole-cell recordings from rat trigeminal neurons. We found that alpha-PMTX stowed the Na+ channels inactivation process without changing the peak current-voltage relationship or the activation time course of tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive Na+ currents, and that alpha-PMTX had voltage-dependent effects on the rate of recovery from Na+ current inactivation and deactivating tail currents. The results suggest that alpha-PMTX slows or blocks conformational changes required for fast inactivation of the Na+ channels on the extracellular surface. The simple structure of alpha-PMTX, consisting of 13 amino acids, would be advantageous for understanding the functional architecture of Na+ channel protein.

Electrical and Magnetic Characterization of BSCCO and YBCO HTS Tapes for Fault Current Limiter Application

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Fault current test of a bifilar Bi-2212 bulk coil

A bifilar Bi-2212 bulk coil with parallel shunt resistor was tested under fault current condition using a 3 MVA single-phase transformer in a 220 V-60 Hz line achieving fault current peak of 8 kA. The fault current tests are performed from steady state peak current of 200 A by applying controlled short circuits up to 8 kA varying the time period from one to six cycles. The test results show the function of the shunt resistor providing homogeneous quench behavior of the HTS coil besides its intrinsic stabilizing role. The limiting current ratio achieves a factor 4.2 during 5 cycles without any degradation.

A DC-DC converter based on the three-state switching cell for high current and voltage step-down applications

This paper presents a pulsewidth modulation dc-dc nonisolated buck converter using the three-state switching cell, constituted by two active switches, two diodes, and two coupled inductors. Only part of the load power is processed by the active switches, reducing the peak current through the switches to half of the load current, as higher power levels can then be achieved by the proposed topology. The volume of reactive elements, i.e., inductors and capacitors, is also decreased since the ripple frequency of the output voltage is twice the switching frequency. Due to the intrinsic characteristics of the topology, total losses are distributed among all semiconductors. Another advantage of this converter is the reduced region for discontinuous conduction mode when compared to the conventional buck converter or, in other words, the operation range in continuous conduction mode is increased, as demonstrated by the static gain plot. The theoretical approach is detailed through qualitative and quantitative analyses by the application of the three-state switching cell to the buck converter operating in nonoverlapping mode $(D < 0.5)$. Besides, the mathematical analysis and development of an experimental prototype rated at 1 kW are carried out. The main experimental results are presented and adequately discussed to clearly identify its claimed advantages. © 1986-2012 IEEE.

Prototype Fault Current Limiter Using Transformer and a Modular Device of YBCO Coated Conductor

A superconducting fault current limiter (SCFL) consisted of a transformer with low reactance connected to the power line and with the secondary winding short-circuited by a modular superconducting limiter device with 16 elements connected in series was constructed and tested. The designed coupling transformer has low dispersion reactance in order to limit the voltage drop in the power line within the range of 5 % to 10 %. The experimental results showed that an insertion of a 0.125 Omega resistance limited the peak current to a factor of 2.5 times of the unlimited current. The power dissipation reached 39 kW during 100 ms, with an energy density of 380 J/cm(3). Based on these results, the SCFL will be further tested in a 3 MVA (15 kV/380 V) generator for currents up to 10 kA.