Half-Bridge Simulation Using Single Switch Model
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Solution Overview
Problem
Real-time electrical circuit simulations face challenges due to the exponential growth of memory requirements with the number of switches, limiting the complexity of circuits that can be simulated, especially when dealing with power semiconductors at high switching frequencies.
Innovation Solution
The method simulates a half-bridge electrical circuit using a single ideal or discrete-time approximate switch model, reducing memory needs by modeling the interaction with a control logic and a variable voltage source, allowing for accurate and efficient simulation of complex circuits with lower memory requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple switches are used to model power semiconductors in a half-bridge, then the simulation accuracy is improved, but the memory requirements grow exponentially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple switching elements (typically two switches in a half-bridge) into a single equivalent switch model. This merging approach reduces the number of switches from N to 1, thereby reducing memory requirements from exponential growth to linear growth while maintaining simulation accuracy through equivalent circuit representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The single switch model serves multiple functions that would traditionally require multiple switches. By making the single switch multi-functional through control logic that handles both high-side and low-side switching operations, the model achieves the same simulation accuracy with reduced memory consumption.
2Quantity of substance
If the number of switches is reduced to lower memory requirements, then the memory limitations are overcome, but the simulation fidelity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of the single switch model (such as on-resistance, off-state capacitance, and control logic states) to accurately represent the combined behavior of multiple switches. By carefully selecting and adjusting these parameters, the model maintains simulation fidelity while using fewer switches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces control logic as an intermediary that manages the single switch to replicate the behavior of multiple switches. This control logic acts as a mediator that ensures the simplified model produces accurate simulation results by properly coordinating the switch states based on the original multi-switch control signals.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for simulating an electrical circuit wherein the electrical circuit includes at least one half-bridge and at least one other component, the half-bridge and the at least one other component interact with each other, the half-bridge includes two switching elements, each of the two switching elements is able to attain an open position and a closed position, at most one of the two switching elements is in the closed position at any time, the at least one half-bridge is modeled by a control logic, only one single switch and a variable voltage source, the control logic controls the one single switch and the variable voltage source, the control logic is able to attain three different states for simulating the interaction between the half-bridge and the other component, and the method includes determining a current and/or voltage of the electrical circuit by means of the control logic, the one single switch and the variable voltage source.