Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second electrodes, a semiconductor part therebetween, and a control electrode between the semiconductor part and the first electrode. The semiconductor part includes first, third and fifth layers of a first conductivity type and second and fourth layers of a second conductivity type. The second layer is provided between the first layer and the first electrode. The third layer is provided between the second layer and the first electrode. The fourth layer and the fifth layer are selectively provided between the first layer and the second electrode. In a method for controlling the semiconductor device, first to third voltages are applied in order to the control electrode while a p-n junction between the first and second layers is biased in a forward direction. The second and third voltages are greater than the first voltage, and the third voltage is less than the second voltage.

Abstract: A circuit may be configured detect current in different phases of an N-phase power converter. The circuit may comprise a first set of elements defining at least part of a first current loop associated with a first phase of the power converter, wherein the first set of elements is configured to detect current during the first phase of the power converter. In addition, the circuit may comprise a second set of elements defining at least part of a second current loop associated with a second phase of the power converter, wherein the second set of elements is configured to detect current during the second phase of the power converter when a duty cycle associated with the different phases is greater than 100/N, and wherein the first set of elements is configured to detect current during the second phase of the power converter when the duty cycle is less than 100/N.

Abstract: An interleaved three-phase Y-Delta connected power converter is provided. The interleaved three-phase Y-Delta connected power converter includes an input voltage source, an input capacitor, a first converter module, a second converter module, an output circuit, and a control circuit. The control circuit calculates a phase shift amount and an operating frequency through voltage and current feedbacks to generate a plurality of switch signal groups for controlling the first converter module and the second converter module, respectively.

Abstract: A voltage balancing circuit for use in a power converter is described. In one example, a power converter includes series-connected switching transistors for power conversion, and a voltage balancing control loop. The voltage balancing control loop includes a measurement circuit electrically coupled to a transistor in the pair of series-connected switching transistors. The measurement circuit is electrically coupled to measure a body voltage reference of the transistor. The voltage balancing control loop also includes a balancing circuit configured to generate a balancing pulse signal for adjusting a voltage across the transistor using the body voltage reference, and a circuit configured to combine the balancing pulse signal with a gate drive pulse signal for the transistor, to form a balanced gate drive pulse signal for the transistor. The balanced gate drive pulse signal helps to equalize the body diode voltages of the series-connected switching transistors, particularly during “off” periods.

Abstract: Pulse width modulation (PWM) controllers for hybrid converters are provided herein. In certain embodiments, a PWM controller for a hybrid converter includes a threshold generation circuit for generating a threshold signal based on an output voltage of the hybrid converter, a threshold adjustment circuit for generating an adjusted threshold signal based on sensing a voltage of a flying capacitor of the hybrid converter, and a comparator that generates a comparison signal based on comparing the adjusted threshold signal to an indication of an inductor current of the hybrid converter. The output of the comparator is used for generating PWM control signals used for turning on and off the switches (for instance, power transistors) of the hybrid converter.

Abstract: A power controller is in use of a power converter whose output voltage can be regulated at a first nominal output voltage or a second nominal output voltage less than the first nominal output voltage. An ON-time controller controls an ON time of a driving signal provided to a power switch according to a compensation signal. A frequency controller controls, based on the compensation signal and a feedback signal, a switching frequency of the driving signal. If the compensation signal has an input waveform and when the output voltage is regulated at the first or second nominal output voltage, the frequency controller provides first or second settling time to stabilize the switching frequency, respectively. The second settling time is longer than the first settling time.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a protection circuit configured to protect a power converter. The protection circuit may be configured to determine when the power converter is operating in a tristate mode, and upon determining that the power converter is operating in the tristate mode, to disable a supply to the power converter based on a comparison of a switch node voltage on a switch node of the power converter to a feedback node voltage on an output node of the power converter.

Abstract: An auxiliary winding for a flyback converter includes a floating terminal coupled to ground through a diode. A primary-side controller has a power supply voltage terminal coupled to a remaining terminal of the auxiliary winding and has a voltage sense terminal coupled to the floating terminal.

Abstract: Accordingly, the embodiments herein provide a hybrid modular multilevel converter. The hybrid modular multilevel converter includes one or more chain links, one or more high voltage switches and a plurality of inductors. The one or more chain links are formed by sub modules. The one or more high voltage switches are formed by semi-controlled devices or fully controlled or any other suitable semiconductor devices. The plurality of inductors are arranged in the one or more chain links to limit circulating current among the one or more chain links. The one or more chain links are configured to enhance a power handling capability of the hybrid modular multilevel converter.

Abstract: A mode-transition architecture for USB Type-C controllers is described herein. In an example embodiment, an integrated circuit (IC) controller includes controller includes a controller coupled to a slope compensation circuit, the controller to cause the slope compensation circuit to apply a first slope compensation to the input current in a first mode in which the buck-boost converter is operating in a discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). The controller detects a transition of the buck-boost converter from a first mode having a first duty cycle to a second mode and causes the slope compensation circuit to apply a second slope compensation to the input current. The second slope compensation starts at a maximum offset of the first slope compensation.

Abstract: A phase sequence correction circuit for a voltage converter has a blanking time calculation circuit and a control signal generation circuit. Based on a plurality of delay signals, the blanking time calculation circuit updates a blanking time period during which a immediately following switching circuit is not allowed on. If a sum of the plurality of delay signals is larger than an incremental threshold, then the blanking time signal increases by an incremental step. The control signal generation circuit receives the blanking time signal and provides a plurality of control signals to control a plurality of switching circuits of the voltage converter respectively. If a sum of the plurality of delay signals is larger than an incremental threshold, then the blanking time signal increases by an incremental step.

Abstract: Provided in the present invention are a microgrid control system and a microgrid, the microgrid control system comprising: a grid-connected switch, an energy router, a first controller and a second controller; the first controller controls the grid-connected switch and sends a first control instruction; the second controller receives the first control instruction and responds to the first control instruction for controlling the energy router.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an SMPS comprises a half-bridge, and a driver configured to drive the half-bridge based on a PWM signal. The SMPS further comprising a first circuit coupled between the output of the driver and a control terminal of a high-side transistor of the half-bridge, wherein the first circuit is configured to maintain the first transistor on when the PWM signal has a duty cycle that is substantially 100%.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a controller that monitors an error voltage indicating a difference between an output voltage and a setpoint voltage. Based on the monitored error voltage, the controller generates modulation adjustment signals including a frequency adjustment signal and an ON-time adjustment signal. The controller modulates a pulse width modulation signal of a first power supply phase in accordance with both the frequency modulation adjustment signal and the ON-time adjustment signal.

Abstract: A system for charging a battery includes three sub-modules, each receiving a respective phase of a three-phase alternating current (AC) signal. The three sub-modules cooperate to transform the respective phases of the three-phase AC signal to a direct current (DC) signal by passing the respective phases of the three-phase AC signal through a respective semiconductor device configured to discontinuously modulate the respective phase of the three-phase AC signal to convert it to a DC signal provided to the battery to charge the battery.

Abstract: A power conversion system comprises a plurality of power modules, each including a power input end; a charging input end; a power output end; at least one power conversion unit, each including an AC/DC conversion unit and at least one DC-Bus capacitor and being connected to the power input end and the power output end; and a pre-charging unit connected to the charging input end for receiving direct current and connected to the DC-Bus capacitor. The pre-charging unit starts to charge the DC-Bus capacitor of one of the power modules when said power module breaks down or the load of the power conversion system is light so that no current flows through the AC/DC conversion unit. The power input ends of the power modules are connected in series and then connected to an AC power source, and the power output ends of the power modules are connected in parallel.

Abstract: An electronic circuit includes an output node configured to output a DC signal indicating a rate of change over time of voltage at a measurement target node. The rate-of-voltage change detection circuit includes a first capacitor and a first resistor connected in series between the measurement target node and a reference voltage node, a first rectifier circuit connected between the output node and a connection node of the first capacitor and the first resistor, and a second capacitor connected between the output node and the reference voltage node.

Abstract: A method for calculating a maximum output current of multiple thyristor converters connected in parallel, step 1: setting an operating time t; step 2: assuming a trigger angle; step 3: calculating a maximum output current of a single converter according to an output current model for the single converter; step 4: equally dividing a total output DC current into a plurality of parts according to a working duration of six converter bridge arms, thereby obtaining a pulse operating current of a single bridge arm; step 5: checking whether a present junction temperature of a thyristor is below a limiting temperature based on a thermal resistance model for the thyristor, if no, correcting the trigger angle, and repeating step 2 to step 5 until the condition is met; step 6: giving a present trigger angle; and step 7: giving a maximum output current of multiple converters connected in parallel.

Abstract: Disclosed is an AC-AC power converter with multiple AC voltage output branches. The AC-AC power converter is bridgeless and contains only one power stage. The AC-AC power converter consists of only one inductor for power conversion and provides a current source for successively feeding multiple output branches one at a time. Each output branch can be selected by the corresponding switch and its resonant circuit turns the input current source into an AC power source.

Abstract: A master converter and a plurality of slave converters each have an input connected to an associated one of a plurality of power storage elements, respectively, and an output connected to an output terminal in parallel. The master converter converts the voltage of the associated capacitor based on a duty ratio for matching an output voltage to a voltage command value, outputs the converted voltage to the output terminal, and transmits a control signal indicative of the duty ratio to the plurality of slave converters via a signal insulation unit. Each of the plurality of slave converters converts the voltage of the associated capacitor in response to the control signal transmitted via the signal insulation unit and outputs the converted voltage to the output terminal. A correction means is configured to correct at least the duty ratio in the master converter such that the duty ratio in the master converter matches the duty ratio in each of the plurality of slave converters.