Abstract: An ion energy for plasma processing of a dielectric substrate is determined by exposing the dielectric substrate to a plasma discharge and applying a pulsed voltage waveform. This waveform includes a sequence of pulses, each having a higher voltage interval and a lower voltage interval having a voltage slope. First pulses of the sequence having differing voltage slopes are generated and applied to the dielectric substrate. For each first pulse, the voltage slope and a corresponding output current are determined. For each first pulse, at least one coefficient of a mathematical relation between the voltage slope and the corresponding output current based solely on the voltage slope and the output current determined for one or more of the first pulses is determined. A test function is applied and an optimal voltage slope value corresponding to the at least one coefficient making the test function true is selected.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a three-port isolated active bridge DC-DC power converter comprising a control unit, a first primary-side port, a second primary-side port, two primary-side switching elements, a blocking switch, a secondary-side port and two secondary-side switching elements. The control unit is configured to open and to close the blocking switch, for preventing and allowing power flow between a primary side and a secondary side of the power converter. The control unit is configured to control the two primary-side switching elements and the two secondary-side switching elements for converting power between the primary-side ports and the secondary-side port. This invention further pertains to a three-port isolated active bridge DC-DC power converter system, a multi-port isolated active bridge DC-DC power converter, a multi-port isolated active bridge DC-DC power converter system, a solar power assembly, and a vehicle.

Abstract: An ion energy for plasma processing of a dielectric substrate is determined by exposing the dielectric substrate to a plasma discharge and applying a pulsed voltage waveform. This waveform includes a sequence of pulses, each having a higher voltage interval and a lower voltage interval having a voltage slope. First pulses of the sequence having differing voltage slopes are generated and applied to the dielectric substrate. For each first pulse, the voltage slope and a corresponding output current are determined. For each first pulse, at least one coefficient of a mathematical relation between the voltage slope and the corresponding output current based solely on the voltage slope and the output current determined for one or more of the first pulses is determined. A test function is applied and an optimal voltage slope value corresponding to the at least one coefficient making the test function true is selected.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to an AC/DC converter comprising a first AC terminal for connection to a first AC circuit terminal, a neutral line terminal for connection to a neutral AC circuit terminal, a common node, a first AC side active bridge coupled between the first AC terminal and the common node, and a neutral voltage lift capacitor coupled between the neutral line terminal and the common node. The converter comprises first and second DC terminals, and a capacitor between the first and second terminals. A DC-side active bridge is coupled between the first and second terminals. An inductor is coupled between switchable nodes of the first AC side active bridge and the DC side active bridge. A controller is arranged to control the first AC side active bridge and the DC-side active bridge so to alternate voltage across the first AC terminal and the neutral line terminal.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to an AC/DC converter comprising a first AC terminal for connection to a first AC circuit terminal, a neutral line terminal for connection to a neutral AC circuit terminal, a common node, a first AC side active bridge coupled between the first AC terminal and the common node, and a neutral voltage lift capacitor coupled between the neutral line terminal and the common node. The converter comprises first and second DC terminals, and a capacitor between the first and second terminals. A DC-side active bridge is coupled between the first and second terminals. An inductor is coupled between a switchable nodes of the first AC side active bridge and the DC side active bridge. A controller is arranged to control the first AC side active bridge and the DC-side active bridge so to alternate voltage across the first AC terminal and the neutral line terminal.