The choice of a converter topology still relies on the expertise of the designer, and uses methodologies based on trial&error, simulations and prototyping. The power Electronics group aims proposing efficient design methodologies allowing the reduction of design time. Two different approaches are proposed:
1°) Design by optimization
2°) Automatic design from conversion standard cells
Design by optimization
Power electronics converters have to meet very precise, specifications, sometimes unreachable. The designer's experience is decisive in choosing a point in the space of solutions (topology, technological choices and first “acceptable” sizing choice) that will lead to a candidate topology, which will then have to be sized and optimized using successive simulations and often prototypes.
Early in the 2000s, we proposed a generic design-by-optimization methodology, formulating the problem as constrained optimization. Solving this problem makes it possible to obtain a theoretical optimum for the converter, to compare topologies or technologies fairly, or to analyze the impact of specifications on the converter. .
Example of a comparison of 75kW rated power inverter topologies based on Cost-Volume-Efficiency criteria (Meriem Ouzouigh thesis - CIFRE Schneider Electric)
Automatic design from conversion standard cells
Another approach is to start with an arbitrarily selected, but perfectly optimized and characterized topology. Automated assembly of these elementary cells then produces a converter that meets the specifications (Power Converter Array). A complete test bench for characterizing elementary modules and an automatic algorithm for associating cells and determining interconnections have been developed, enabling a complete converter to be sized, produced and assembled in just a few hours, based on standardized modules and interconnections. This method, inspired by microelectronics, represents a breakthrough in comparison to traditional power electronics usual design, going well beyond the “Power Electronics Building Blocks” of the 90s. It offers numerous advantages in terms of modularity, circularity, and even EMC, which make it very interesting to study today.
1kW converter based on the association of Dual Active Bridge elementary cells (20V-20V-100W each).
Test bench to characterize the elementary cell in the voltage/current/temperature space
On going collaborations
The team is involved in....
Lastest publications
A.Voldoire, JL.Schanen, JP.Ferrieux, B.Sarrazin, C.Gautier, "Predesign Methodology of Voltage Inverters using a Gradient-Based Optimization Algorithm", IEEE JESTPE (Journal of Emerging and Selected Topics in Power Electronics), vol. 9, no. 5, pp. 5895-5905, Oct. 2021, doi: https://10.1109/JESTPE.2021.3092576
M.Delhommais, T.Delaforge, JL.Schanen, F.Wurtz, C.Rigaud, "A Predesign Methodology for Power Electronics Based on Optimization and Continuous Models: Application to an Interleaved Buck Converter", MDPI Designs 2022, 6, 68. https://doi.org/10.3390/designs6040068
M. Tadbiri-Nooshabadi, J-L. Schanen, H. Iman-Eini and L. G. A. Rodrigues, "Optimization of EMI Filters of Multi-Level Flying Capacitor Boost Converter," in IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, vol. 60, no. 5, pp. 7156-7169, Sept.-Oct. 2024, doi: https://10.1109/TIA.2024.3425796