This paper presents the benefits and drawbacks of replacing the traditional Si Mosfets transistors with enhancement mode GaN transistors in a Half-Bridge Zero Voltage and Zero Current Switching Power Switching (ZVZCPS) converter. This type of converters is usually used as Electronic Power Converters (EPC) for telecommunication satellites travelling-wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs). In this study, firstly the converter is theoretically analysed, obtaining its operation, losses and efficiency equations. From these equations, optimizations maps based on the main system parameters are obtained. These optimization maps are the key to quantify the potential benefits of GaN transistors in this type of converters. Theoretical results show that using GaN transistors, the frequency of the converter can be pushed from 125kHz to 830kHz without sacrificing the converter efficiency. This frequency increase is directly related to reduction on the EPC size and weight. To validate the theoretical results, a 150W prototype was built and its performance measured. Experimental results show an unexpected operation at high frequencies, mainly due to the influence of the transformer parasitic capacitance and the rectifiers diodes reverse recovery effect. Finally, it can be concluded that the parasitic capacitance of the converter and the diodes recovery time are, in practice, critical parameters to increase the switching frequency keeping the ZVZCPS.
With the emergence of new power semiconductor devices, the switching speeds in power converters are increasing. The stray inductances of switching cells must therefore be minimized to limit over-voltages on transistors. One relatively new approach, called Power Chip-on-Chip (PCoC), considers the integration of power dies, one on top of the other, directly in the busbar. This allows for the reduction of the stray inductance. This paper first presents the implementation of a PCoC module using classical packaging techniques. Then a description of the different technological steps for the realization is outlined. Finally, experimental characterization results confirm the lower stray inductances offered by the PCoC package compared with the planar one. I.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.