• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.532-541
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• 2016

A single-phase asymmetrical cascaded multilevel inverter is introduced with the goal of increasing power quality with the reduction of power in insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) switches. In the present work, the proposed inverter topology is analyzed and generalized with respect to different proposed algorithms for choosing different voltage source values. To prove the advantages of the proposed inverter, a case study involving a 17-level inverter is conducted. The simulation and experimental results with reduced THD are also presented and compared with the MATLAB/SIMULINK simulation results. Finally, the proposed topology is compared with different multilevel inverter topologies available in the literature in terms of the number of IGBT switches required with respect to the number of levels generated in the output of inverter topologies.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.748-759
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• 2016

The microgrid concept is a promising approach for injecting clean, renewable, and reliable electricity into power systems. It can operate in both the grid-connected and the islanding mode. This paper addresses the two main challenges associated with the operation of a microgrid i.e. control and protection. A control strategy for inverter based distributed generation (DG) and an energy storage system (ESS) are proposed to control both the voltage and frequency during islanding operation. The protection scheme is proposed to protect the lines, DG and ESS. Further, the control scheme and the protection scheme are coordinated to avoid nuisance tripping of the DG, ESS and loads. The feasibility of the proposed method is verified by simulation and experimental results.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.778-785
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• 2016

An excess carrier lifetime extraction method is derived for physics-based insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) models with consideration of the latest development in IGBT modeling. On the basis of the 2D mixed-mode Sentaurus simulation, the clamp turn-off test is simulated to obtain the tail current. The proposed excess carrier lifetime extraction method is then performed using the simulated data. The comparison between the extracted results and actual lifetime directly obtained from the numerical device model precisely demonstrates the accuracy of the proposed method.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제16권5호
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• pp.1716-1724
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• 2016

This paper proposes both an active-switched quasi-Z-source inverter (AS-qZSI) and an extended active-switched qZSI (EAS-qZSI), which are based on the classic qZSI. The proposed AS-qZSI adds only one active switch and one diode to the classic qZSI for increasing the voltage boost capability. Compared with other topologies based on the switched-inductor/capacitor qZSI, the proposed AS-qZSI requires fewer passive components in the impedance network under the same boost capability. Additionally, the proposed EAS-qZSI is designed by adding one inductor and three diodes to the AS-qZSI, which offers enhanced boost capability and lower voltage stress across the switches. The performances of the two proposed topologies are verified by simulation and experimental results obtained from a prototype with a 32-bit DSP built in a laboratory.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제16권5호
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• pp.1861-1868
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• 2016

In this paper, a three-phase AC-DC high step-up converter is developed for application to microscale wind-power generation systems. Such an AC-DC boost converter prossessess the property of the single-switch high step-up DC-DC structure. For power factor correction, the advanced half-stage converter is operated under the discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). Simulatanously, to achieve a high step-up voltage gain, the back half-stage functions in the continuous conduction mode (CCM). A high voltage gain can be obtained by use of an output-capacitor mass and a coupled inductor. Compared to the output voltage, the voltage stress is decreased on the switch. To lessen the conducting losses, a low rated voltage and small conductive resistance MOSFETs are adopted. In addition, the coupled inductor retrieves the leakage-inductor energy. The operation principle and steady-state behavior are analyzed, and a prototype hardware circuit is realized to verify the performance of the proposed converter.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제16권5호
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• pp.1735-1742
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• 2016

This paper proposes an interleaved five-level boost converter based on a switched-capacitor network. The operating principle of the converter under the CCM mode is analyzed. A high voltage gain, low component stress, small input current ripple, and self-balancing function for the capacitor voltages in the switched-capacitor networks are achieved. In addition, a three-loop control strategy including an outer voltage loop, an inner current loop and a voltage-balance loop has been researched to achieve good performances and voltage-balance effect. An experimental study has been done to verify the correctness and feasibility of the proposed converter and control strategy.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.769-777
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• 2016

This work focuses on current sharing between punch-through insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) connected in parallel and evaluates the mechanisms that allow overall current balancing. Two different control strategies are presented. These strategies are based on the modification of transistor gate-emitter control voltage V_GE by using an active gate driver circuit. The first strategy relies on the calculation of the average value of the current flowing through all parallel-connected IGBTs. The second strategy is proposed by the authors on the basis of a current cross reference control scheme. Finally, the simulation and experimental results of the application of the two current sharing control algorithms are presented.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.399-413
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• 2016

This paper presents a topology for a modular power electronic transformer (PET) and a control scheme. The proposed PET consists of a cascaded H-Bridge rectifier on the primary side, a high-frequency DC/DC conversion cell in the center, and a cascaded H-Bridge inverter on the secondary side. It is practical to use PETs in power systems to reduce the cost, weight and size. A detailed analysis of the structure is carried out by using equivalent circuit. An algorithm to control the voltages of each capacitor and to maintain the power flow in the PET is established. The merits are analyzed and verified in theory, including the bi-directional power flow, variable voltage/frequency and high power factor on the primary side. The experimental results validated the propose structure and algorithm.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.564-571
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• 2016

This study proposes an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS)-based rotor position controller for brushless direct current (BLDC) motors to improve the control performance of the drive under transient and steady-state conditions. The dynamic response of a BLDC motor to the proposed ANFIS controller is considered as standard reference input. The effectiveness of the proposed controller is compared with that of the proportional integral derivative (PID) controller and fuzzy PID controller. The proposed controller solves the problem of nonlinearities and uncertainties caused by the reference input changes of BLDC motors and guarantees a fast and accurate dynamic response with an outstanding steady-state performance. Furthermore, the ANFIS controller provides low torque ripples and high starting torque. The detailed study includes a MATLAB-based simulation and an experimental prototype to illustrate the feasibility of the proposed topology.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.815-822
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• 2016

The efficiency of light-emitting diode (LED) devices is a significant factor that reflects the capability of these devices to convert electrical power into optical power. In this study, a method for estimating the efficiency of LED devices is proposed. An efficiency model and a heat power model are established as convenient tools for LED performance evaluation. Such models can aid in the design of LED drivers and in the reliability evaluation of LED devices. The proposed estimation method for the efficiency and heat power of LED devices is verified by experimentally testing two types of commercial LED devices.