Steady-state analysis and design of a switched-capacitor DC-DCconverter

A representative switched-capacitor DC-DC converter topology is presented, circuit operation is explained, and control strategies are identified. State-space averaging is used to analyze steady-state performance and to develop control criteria and design equations. The analytical results are verified by SPICE simulation     

Optical fiber wavelength division multiplexing

During flight, aircraft avionics transmit and receive RF signals to/from antennas over coaxial cables. As the density and complexity of onboard avionics increases, the electromagnetic interference (EMI) environment degrades proportionately, leading to decreasing signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and potential safety concerns. The coaxial cables are inherently lossy, limiting the RF signal bandwidth while adding considerable weight. To overcome these limitations, we have investigated a fiber optic communications link for aircraft that utilizes wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) to support the simultaneous transmission of multiple signals (including RF) over a single optical fiber. Optical fiber has many advantages over coaxial cable, particularly lower loss, greater bandwidth, and immunity to EMI. In this paper, we demonstrate that WDM can be successfully used to transmit multiple RF signals over a single optical fiber with no appreciable signal degradation. We investigate the transmission of FM and AM analog modulated signals, as well as FSK digital modulated signals, over a fiber optic link (FOL) employing WDM. We present measurements of power loss, delay, SNR, carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR), total harmonic distortion (THD), and bit error rate (BER). Our experimental results indicate that WDM is a fiber optic technology suitable for avionics applications.     

Buck modulator with improved large-power bandwidth

A dynamic pulsewidth modulator (DPM) is synthesized to generate a PWM (pulsewidth modulated) signal from dynamic converter variables and from a (quasi-)static control signal. Based on a pragmatic principle with simple hardware implementation, the DPM can be functionally integrated with a PWM converter to broaden the converter power bandwidth, enhancing the converter's ability to meet stringent dynamic specifications. Even if bandwidth broadening is not the prime objective, the smaller phase shift associated with the broader bandwidth simplifies the design of the regulation loop. The DPM principle can also linearize the large-signal behavior of a nonlinear converter. The theory is demonstrated and verified for a buck converter, whose PWM bandwidth is extended from 1/50 of the switching frequency to about 1/3 of the switching frequency.     

Alternate forms of the PWM switch models

Vorperian's pulsewidth modulation (PWM) switch model consists of a PWM transformer and a nonlinear resistor. The recognition that any of the three transformer terminals can serve as the common terminal leads to two alternate PWM transformer models and the corresponding two alternate PWM switch models. For a given PWM dc-dc converter, one of the three PWM switch models is more “natural” for graphic-oriented analysis/design, e.g., it allows the idealized converter to be analyzed by inspection. Furthermore, all three PWM transformers may be used to graphically manipulate the converter circuit to a form that can be analyzed by inspection. The alternate forms of the PWM transformers and the PWM switch models are effective as graphic-oriented teaching and learning tools for PWM converters. This is demonstrated using examples based on the boost converter and the Cuk converter     

Parameter extraction for the extended cantilever model of magneticcomponent windings

The extended cantilever model (ECM) for transformer or inductor windings is convenient from the parameter extraction standpoint since, theoretically, each model parameter can be extracted from a single measurement of an open-circuit voltage or a short-circuit current. The impedance of the sensor used to measure a short-circuit current, however, makes the “short” less ideal, and it has been believed that each parameter in the ECM cannot be directly measured unless the impedance of the current sensor is negligible. It is shown that as long as the ECM parameters are reactive (inductive or capacitive) and the current sensor resistive, the current-sense resistance does not have to be restrictively small for the ECM parameters to be directly measurable. A linear, broadband formulation is also presented for extraction of the model admittances using current sensors with significant impedances