Giuseppe Marsala

Electromagnetic immunity analysis of a new interface device with power line communication for smart grid and energy storage applications

An analysis of EMC standards related to smart grid devices with PLC port has been carried out and the standardization lacks have been pointed out with reference to the evaluation of electromagnetic immunity to narrowband, coming from other communication systems connected to the grid, and RF disturbances conducted disturbances, usually present in a power grid. In particular, the paper analyses the electromagnetic conducted immunity of a new interface protection device (ID) for smart grid and energy storage applications. The new ID is equipped with a measuring board, a STM32 microcontroller, for data elaboration and memorization, and a ST7580 N-PSK powerline transceiver. An experimental test procedure have been carried out in order to investigate the immunity of the ID prototype to narrowband and RF disturbances conducted disturbances, respectively for the frequency range 10-150 kHz and 150 kHz-30 MHz.

High-Frequency Experimental Characterization and Modeling of Six Pack IGBTs Power Modules

In this paper, a method to characterize the high-frequency (HF) behavior of six pack insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) power module (PM) is presented. The method is based on experimental measurements at the external pins of the device and it allows one to extract internal inductive and capacitive parasitic coupling without the knowledge of structural and physical parameters of the PM. The HF model of a six pack IGBTs PM has been developed, in the frequency range of 150 kHz-30 MHz, and it has been implemented in MATLAB environment. The method has been experimentally validated by comparing the frequency behavior of the PM with the simulated response. Moreover, the HF conducted disturbances, generated by the PM and measured in the dc link, have been compared with the simulation results verifying the proposed model.

High frequency modeling technique for three phase power electronics module

Nowadays, the high integrated power electronics modules (PMs), characterized by high speed, low loss and hard ware miniaturization, represent a new technology that meets the emerging demands of many applications, such us vehicle and home appliance, renewable energy sources in smart grid. The integration process and the high switching speeds increase the PM electromagnetic emissions that can create electromagnetic interference (EMI) with electric/electronic devices near the PMs. For this reason, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) have to be carefully considered, yet in the design phase, to guarantee the reliability of PM systems. In this paper a method to develop a high frequency (HF) model, useful to study EMI phenomena of a three-phase PM, is presented. The method is based on experimental measurements at the PM external pins and it allows to extract internal inductive and capacitive parasitic coupling with out the knowledge of structural and physics parameters of the device. The PM HF model, developed in the 150kHz-30MHz frequency range, has been implemented in MATLAB® environment. The method has been experimental validated comparing the frequency responses of the PM characteristics with that obtained by the model.

Free ripple input current high boost converter with coupled inductors

In renewable energy power conditioning system (PCS), like photovoltaic and fuel cell sources, the low input cur rent ripple represents a very important issue to improve the source efficiency. This paper proposes a topology of a DC-DC high gain boost converter with a zero input current ripple condition. In particular, this result is obtained by using coupled inductors. A detailed mathematical analysis on the operating principle, the steady-state analysis and the comparison with the same topology without coupled inductors is presented. The proposed concepts are evaluated by simulation results.

Power losses analysis and efficiency evaluation of high boost converters for PV and fuel cell applications

In renewable energy power conditioning system (PCS), like photovoltaic (PV) and fuel cell sources, the low input current ripple represents a very important issue to improve the source efficiency. This paper presents an analysis of the power losses and efficiency of two high boosting converters for PV and fuel cell applications, designed by the authors. The two converters are characterized by a single switching device and, the first topology, by a reduced input current ripple and, the second one, by a zero input ripple condition. In particular, the free ripple condition of the second topology is obtained by coupling the two inductors that are uncoupled in the first topology. A detailed mathematical analysis of the power losses and efficiency is presented together with an evaluation of the effects on the efficiency caused by coupling the inductors. The proposed concepts are demonstrated by simulation.

Electric and magnetic emission in near field region and thermal behaviour of power module for photovoltaic application

The new power module, characterized by high power density, miniaturization of packages and layout and high frequency switching, are increasingly used in the field of in automotive, aircraft industry and for Distributed Generation (DG) connected to smart grid. To guarantee the reliability and safety of these systems, the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and thermal behavior, have to be carefully considered for these appliances. This paper describes a measurement methodology to characterize the electromagnetic emissions in near field zone produced by a PM prototype and its thermal behavior. In particular, the electric and magnetic fields, in the near field region in the frequency range 9kHz-3GHz is evaluated and an analysis of the temperature values achieved by the module during its operation in different load conditions is presented. The proposed methodology involve the evaluation of the PM electromagnetic and thermal emissions in standalone configuration, i.e. without its control and supply boards, because the aim is to characterize behavior of only the PM and to identify the EMI source and thermal hot-spots inside the power section.

Measurements methodology for the reliability evaluation of intelligent power modules

The paper describes a measurement methodology for the reliability evaluation of new intelligent power electronics modules (IPMs). In particular, the evaluation of the IPMs immunity to radio frequency conducted disturbances has been performed, at different operating thermal conditions, designing a suitable measurement set up in a shielded room. Moreover, the thermal performances of the devices have been analyzed, setting up a proper experimental test bench. The measurements procedures are detailed described.