Abstract
This paper presents the benefits and drawbacks of replacing the traditional Si Mosfets transistors with enhancement mode GaN transistors in a Half-Bridge Zero Voltage and Zero Current Switching Power Switching (ZVZCPS) converter. This type of converters is usually used as Electronic Power Converters (EPC) for telecommunication satellites travelling-wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs). In this study, firstly the converter is theoretically analysed, obtaining its operation, losses and efficiency equations. From these equations, optimizations maps based on the main system parameters are obtained. These optimization maps are the key to quantify the potential benefits of GaN transistors in this type of converters. Theoretical results show that using GaN transistors, the frequency of the converter can be pushed from 125kHz to 830kHz without sacrificing the converter efficiency. This frequency increase is directly related to reduction on the EPC size and weight.
Highlights
In telecommunications satellites, Travelling Wave Tube Amplifiers (TWTAs) represent about 35% of the payload mass
Any improvement in its Electronic Power Converter (EPC) size and weight is critical to reduce the overall mass of the satellite
In European satellites, the EPC is usually a two-stage converter; a Buck regulator connected in series with a Zero Voltage Zero Current Power Switching (ZVZCPS) isolated high voltage converter
Summary
In telecommunications satellites, Travelling Wave Tube Amplifiers (TWTAs) represent about 35% of the payload mass. Any improvement in its Electronic Power Converter (EPC) size and weight is critical to reduce the overall mass of the satellite. In European satellites, the EPC is usually a two-stage converter; a Buck regulator connected in series with a Zero Voltage Zero Current Power Switching (ZVZCPS) isolated high voltage converter. The ZVZCPS technique was proposed in [1] and its main advantage is that all the converter switches always operate under both Zero Voltage Switching and Zero Current Switching when Switching ON and OFF. This advantage allows achieving vey high efficiencies (better than 98%) and operating at a fixed frequency with very low EMI noise generation.
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