Resonant Capacitor Research Articles

Analysis and design of an efficient soft‐switching inverter with asymmetric auxiliary circuits

SummaryThe paper designs an efficient three‐phase soft‐switching inverter with asymmetric auxiliary circuits, which is beneficial for further miniaturization and efficiency optimization. Only two auxiliary switches, one resonant inductor, and three resonant capacitors make up simple asymmetric auxiliary circuits of each phase, contributing to the reduction of power loss and hardware cost. As soon as the simple auxiliary circuits get involved in the operation of the designed inverter, main switches can realize zero‐voltage switching within the entire load range. The reduction of power loss of auxiliary circuits and main switches is conducive to further efficiency optimization. The paper expounds every operating status during one switching period. The relevant experimental waveforms make known that switching devices can realize soft‐switching. The efficiency reaches 99% at rated operation status of the designed inverter, confirming that the designed inverter has superiority over comparison objects in the experiment with regard to the efficiency. Thus, the structural simplification of auxiliary circuits is an effective method for further miniaturization and efficiency optimization.

Miniaturized bandpass metamaterials filters using hybrid plasmonic waveguide and defected surface structures

In this paper, we present a novel approach for designing single-/multiple-band bandpass filters (BPFs) using a hybrid metamaterials approach, incorporating substrate integrated waveguide (SIW), spoof surface plasmon polariton (SSPP), and defected surface structures (DSSs) technologies. The substrate-integrated plasmonic waveguide (SIPW) is constructed by embedding a hybrid dual SSPP into a three-layer SIW. The SIPW demonstrates a reduced phase velocity and a lowered lower cutoff frequency, extracted from the slow-wave dispersion relationship. Initially, the SIPW-based single-band metamaterial BPF demonstrates miniaturized size and broadened bandwidth. Furthermore, by loading a pair of complementary electric-inductive capacitive (ELC) resonators consisting of DSSs and adjusting their symmetry properties and geometric parameters, multiple BPFs from 1 to 3 are realized. To validate the proposed designs, three prototypes are fabricated and measured. The results demonstrate good filtering performances of proposed metamaterial BPFs, featuring high reflection loss (S11 < −10.5 dB) and a high level of out-of-band rejection exceeding 25 dB between multiple passbands.

Multi-harmonic phononic frequency comb generation in capacitive CMOS-MEMS resonators

Phononic frequency combs (PFCs) have emerged as a pivotal technology in precision measurements and advanced signal processing, harnessing the power of discrete, evenly spaced frequency lines. Their expansion into the realm of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) presents potential opportunities for enhanced control in various applications, from telecommunications to quantum computing. This work presents an experimental study on the generation of PFCs at the fundamental frequency and its higher harmonics in a complementary metal oxide semiconductor based electrostatic MEMS resonator measured under an open-loop configuration. The phenomenon is attributed to nonlinear mode coupling and 1:2 internal resonance between two eigenmodes and their harmonics when the resonator operates in nonlinear resonance. The experimental approach employs a combination of optical and electrical characterization techniques. This study, primarily experimental in nature, provides crucial insights into the behavior of PFCs in MEMS resonators, suggesting possible multi-harmonic internal resonance as the underlying mechanism. These findings contribute significantly to the field of MEMS research, offering potential applications in high-precision frequency control for telecommunications, sensor technology, and quantum computing.

Analysis of AC filter detuning characteristics and improvement measures in converter station

Shift of parameters of the double-tuned AC filter component and failure in prompt correction of detuning frequency may affect the filtering effect of the AC filter. Therefore, this paper studies impedance-frequency characteristics of the double-tuned AC filter according to detuned recording data of the A-typed double-tuned AC filter in the Congxi converter station. It analyzes the variation of the impedance-frequency characteristic curves and relative change rate of resonant frequency as there are deviations between actual values and rated values of each filter capacitance and inductance elements in different degrees, and concludes that variation of the parameter of each element in different degrees may cause different deviations of resonant points of the double-tuned AC filter. MATLAB simulation has proved it can reduce the detuning degree and improve the filtering performance of the filter by adjusting the parameters of the variable reactor to change in the opposite direction of the parameters of the resonant capacitor.

High-Voltage Gain Ripple-Free Resonant DC–DC Converter Using Active Voltage-Quadrupler

This paper presents a high-voltage gain ripple-free resonant DC/DC converter using an active voltage-quadrupler. By incorporating an active voltage-quadrupler at the secondary side of the transformer, the circuit achieved a very high-voltage gain. Without using extra input inductors, the inherent dual transformer plus interleaved active-clamped circuit operating with a fixed duty-ratio of 0.5 generate a ripple-free input current, which extends the lifetime of the fuel cell and shrinks the size of the input capacitive filter. This asymmetric structure of the active-clamp circuit requires an extra dead time for one of the secondary-side switches to achieve zero-voltage switching (ZVS) turn-on. After the extra dead time for one of the secondary-side switches is applied, all power components of the active voltage quadrupler cell are turned on and off with soft switching. The resonant capacitor voltages are unbalanced due to the extra dead time, but they are compensated by applying different secondary-side duty ratios. The operating principle and steady-state characteristics of the proposed converter were analyzed in detail. We built a 1-kW/700-V prototype that copes with 48-72 V inputs, and tested to verify the theoretical analysis.

Noise and thermal performance of a sub-attofarad capacitance sensor for precision measurements, with applications in gravitational wave detectors.

We describe the design principles, fabrication, and characterization of a precision AC resonant capacitance bridge (RCB) sensor, based on a resonant differential planar printed circuit board transformer with a solid (ungapped) MnZn ferrite core, demonstrating a short-term sensitivity at 293K of 0.225 ± 0.005 aF/√Hz at around 120kHz resonance frequency and 1Hz Fourier measurement frequency. At 120K, the RCB short term noise sensitivity is 0.118 ± 0.005 aF/√Hz. We compare the ungapped configuration to five different RCBs: three with a core gap of 65 μm and two with a core gap of 130 μm. Their average room temperature short term noise sensitivities are 0.30 ± 0.01 and 0.45 ± 0.01 aF/√Hz, while the cryogenic operation of these transformers at 120K resulted in averaged sensitivities of 0.23 ± 0.01 and 0.36 ± 0.01 aF/√Hz, respectively. Multi-hour room temperature runs, with one core of each of the three gap types, proved the stability of their long-term sensitivities of 0.234 ± 0.005, 0.338 ± 0.009, and 0.435 ± 0.010 aF/√Hz for the ungapped (40-h duration) and the 65 and 130 μm (28-h duration) cores, respectively. At 0.1mHz, a critical frequency for space gravitational wave detectors, the respective sensitivities are 0.25 ± 0.02, 0.35 ± 0.02, and 0.53 ± 0.07 aF/√Hz. Measurements with the ungapped transformer configuration for temperatures from 325 to 349K further validate the dependence of the noise model on temperature and permeability. The performance of our RCB with an ungapped core matches the calculated performance value and shows an improvement in signal-to-noise ratio of two or more compared with capacitance bridges developed for similar applications. A further factor of about two noise reductions is achieved by cooling to 120K.

An Open-Circuit Fault Diagnosis Method for LLC Converters

In electrified transportation systems, power system failures can lead to greater disasters. Therefore, the reliability of converters in transportation systems has been a concern. Fault-tolerant techniques are widely applied to ensure that converters can continue to supply loads under fault conditions. Fault diagnosis as a prerequisite for fault tolerance has also become a research hotspot. This paper proposes a fast method for fault diagnosis of high-frequency LLC converters. The proposed fault diagnosis method is based on the observation of the voltage across the resonant capacitor to determine and locate the faulty power switch, providing a basis for fault tolerance. This diagnosis method requires a voltage sensor, which is also necessary for some control methods. When applying these control methods, the proposed fault diagnosis method can be used without additional sensors, beneficial for cost reduction. A full-bridge LLC converter controlled by a digital signal processor was used as an experimental platform to verify the effectiveness and speed of the proposed diagnostic method. The results show that the proposed fault diagnosis method can achieve the fast diagnosis of high-frequency LLC converters in a short time and with only minimal computational resources.

A Resonant DC Link Inverter to Reduce the Influence of Resonant Capacitor of Auxiliary Circuit

A Resonant DC Link Inverter to Reduce the Influence of Resonant Capacitor of Auxiliary Circuit

A Novel Current Sharing Scheme for Multiphase Interleaved LLC Converter Based on Partial Energy Regulation of Resonant Capacitor

A Novel Current Sharing Scheme for Multiphase Interleaved LLC Converter Based on Partial Energy Regulation of Resonant Capacitor

Influence of Coupled Structural Parameters of Photoconductive Antennas on the Terahertz Narrowband Detection Performance of High Sensitivity and Frequency Selection

Narrowband terahertz (THz) detection plays a key role in biomedical imaging, biological applications, and security screening. Particularly rapid resolution of material differences based on spectral fingerprints or time‐resolved observation of the materials conformational state typically requires only the measurement of spectral information at a few selected frequencies. Here, a high‐performance resonance‐based coupled photoconductive antenna (PCA) was designed, which consists of a square split‐ring resonator (SRR) and an H‐shaped antenna. The incident THz wave energy can be effectively coupled in the gap of the H‐shaped antenna, and the coupling effect base on coupled harmonic oscillator model can be effectively strengthened. By decreasing the square SRR gap width HD, the relative position parameters of d and L3 between the square SRR and H‐shaped antenna can markedly improve the resonance frequency sensitivity with inductive–capacitive resonance. With the square SRR arm length L1 = L2 = L increased, the resonance frequency markedly shifted toward a lower frequency and the resonance sensitivity increased. The results prove that the THz frequency selection detection range of the coupled PCA can be designed to 0.1∼1.0 THz. Compared with the traditional H‐shaped photoconductive detection antenna, the detection resonance peak shifted the lower frequency and the maximum THz detection sensitivity increased by approximately two orders of magnitude at 0.2528 THz. The structure of the noncontact micrometer–coupled PCA is simple and easy to fabricate and integrate. Our findings may also help to advance the use of THz technology in rapid distinguish material properties.

Pulse Width Modulation-Controlled Switching Impedance for Wireless Power Transfer

The exceptional performance of the wireless power transfer (WPT) system hinges on its resonant state. However, the capacitance drift caused by manufacturing tolerance and temperature will result in a state of detuning. In this manuscript, a PWM-controlled switched impedance (PCSI) topology that can express inductive and capacitive is proposed to eliminate line mismatches resulting from the above factors. Firstly, the PCSI topology is introduced, and its placement is determined based on the characteristics of the inductor–capacitor–capacitor series (LCC-S) network. Secondly, the working principle of the proposed topology is introduced. Finally, the simulation and experimental results show that the system could be restored to its resonant state by adjusting the PCSI topology. Under different values of resonant capacitors, the PCSI topology enhances the output power of the system by 40 W~150 W compared to the previous state, and the efficiency is increased by 9~13%.

Improved Interleaved Boost Converter with Soft-Switching: Analysis and Experimental Validation

This paper proposes a novel interleaved boost converter for renewable energy applications. The two-phase interleaved boost converter was improved with lossless passive snubber cells to ensure the Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) condition. The ZVS condition is contributed by a resonant inductor, a resonant capacitor, and two diodes. The proposed converter was operated in continuous current mode on its primary side. The significant merits of this converter are reduced switching losses, better efficiency, and reduced input current ripples without auxiliary switches. The soft-switching ability of this converter is maintained under both light- and heavy-load conditions. This paper also presents the operating principles and design analysis of the proposed converter. Furthermore, a 50-320V prototype was operated at 250 W to validate the soft-switching operation and theoretical analysis, and the experimental results are presented.

Adaptive Optimization Charging Strategy for LCC Resonant Capacitor Charging Power Supply

Adaptive Optimization Charging Strategy for LCC Resonant Capacitor Charging Power Supply

Load Modulation Feedback in Adaptive Matching Networks for Low-Coupling Wireless Power Transfer Systems

This paper explores the use of load modulation feedback (LMF) in adaptive matching networks (MN) for low-coupling inductive wireless power transfer systems, with an emphasis on its use in implantable medical devices. After deriving the handy expressions of link efficiency and modulation depth in the case of LMF in the case of loose coupling, a brief overview of the most common capacitive resonance networks is presented. In particular, the MN employing two capacitors in Series–Parallel and in Parallel–Series configurations allow adaptivity with a wide range of load conditions. Then, the authors describe an effective design procedure of an adaptive matching network with LMF for an inductive wireless power transfer system, exploring the trade-off between power efficiency and modulation depth. Analytical and electrical simulations show that the proposed simple modulation strategy can successfully achieve high power transfer efficiency while maintaining steady back telemetry under varying loading conditions.

A current fed full bridge converter with auxiliary resonant capacitor

A current fed full bridge converter with auxiliary resonant capacitor

Energy levels of carbon dangling-bond center (PbC center) at 4H-SiC(0001)/SiO2 interface

The electric properties of the carbon dangling-bond (PbC) center at a thermally oxidized 4H-SiC(0001)/SiO2 interface are investigated. We experimentally and theoretically determine the energy levels of the associated interface states to estimate the impacts of the PbC center on power device operations. By combining electrically detected magnetic resonance spectroscopy and capacitance–voltage measurements, the two PbC electronic levels [(0/−) and (+/0)] are determined as ∼1.2 and 0.6 eV from the valence band maximum, respectively. The effective correlation energy of the PbC center is 0.6 eV, which is 1.5 times larger than that of the silicon dangling-bond (Pb) center at Si/SiO2 interfaces. Our first-principles calculations confirm that the electronic levels of PbC are similar to experimental values. Considering these energy levels, the PbC center must impact both p- and n-channel devices, which is closely related to previously reported channel features.

Optimized High-Order Compensation Topology for PT-WPT Systems With Expanded Constant Power Region

The wireless power transfer (WPT) system based on the parity-time (PT) symmetric principle has been verified to have the outstanding benefits of constant efficiency and output power against the coupling coefficient in the exact PT-symmetric region. However, the confined constant power (CP) region needs to be expanded to meet the demands of different applications. To address the problem, the primary-series (S) and secondary-series-inductor-series-parallel-capacitor (SLSPC) high-order compensation topology of the PT-WPT system is proposed and optimized in the article. First, the model of the proposed system is built based on the coupled-mode theory and the output performances are compared with the series-series (S-S) topology and other high-order topologies. It is found that the proposed S-SLSPC PT-WPT system can obtain a larger CP region by the reduction of the critical coupling coefficient. Besides, the CP region can be regulated by adjusting the parameters of resonance capacitors in different practical application scenarios. Finally, the experimental prototype of the proposed S-SLSPC PT-WPT system is developed to verify its output characteristics.

On the selective mode excitation of wide tunable MEMS capacitive resonator

On the selective mode excitation of wide tunable MEMS capacitive resonator

A Simplified Design Method for Quasi-Resonant Inverter Used in Induction Hob

Induction heating (IH) technology is widely recognized and utilized in residential applications due to its high efficiency and safe operating characteristics. Resonant inverter circuits are widely used in IH systems because of their high efficiency and ability to perform soft switching. Among the various resonant inverters used in IH systems, the single-switch quasi-resonant (SSQR) inverter topology is typically preferred for low-cost and low-output-power applications. Despite its cost advantage, the SSQR topology has a relatively narrow soft-switching range, which can be unstable depending on the electrical parameters of the load and the resonant converter circuit. Accurately determining the capacitance value of the resonant capacitor and the inductance value of the induction coil, which are the key circuit elements of the SSQR induction cooker, is crucial for designing a reliable, efficient, and durable cooking system. In other words, there exists a critical relationship between the resonant converter circuit parameters, load characteristics, and safe operating conditions. Additionally, when considering closed-loop control methods used for power control and safety, selecting appropriate resonant circuit elements becomes vital in ensuring both reliable and efficient operation. This paper focuses on a novel and simplified design method for the SSQR inverter utilized in household appliances. The proposed method and its advantages in terms of the safe operating area of the switch are theoretically investigated and verified through simulations and prototype circuits.

High-Efficiency Multioutput LLC Resonant Converter With Multiwinding Transformer and Cost-Effective Analog Control Circuit

A new multi-output LLC resonant converter with a multi-winding transformer is proposed. In the proposed converter, the main output is controlled by the pulse frequency modulation of the primary switches, and the additional outputs are regulated by the pulse width modulation of the secondary synchronous rectifiers (SRs). Synchronization between the primary switches and the SRs can be easily achieved by sensing the voltage across the secondary side of the transformer at the main output with simple and cost-effective analog circuitry. The proposed converter features high efficiency because of the reduced transformer core loss and conduction losses in the primary switches. It also achieves high power density because of the small size of the transformer, resonant capacitor, and primary switches. The validity of the proposed converter is verified through experiments on a prototype for a 55-inch TV power supply converting 390 VDC input to 13 V/6.3 A and 65-83 V/ 2.25 A outputs.