Power Module Synchronization via Device Bus Edge Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power electronic systems face limitations in flexibility and scalability due to the restricted number of communication interfaces in higher-level controllers, which hinders the synchronization of power modules and restricts the maximum number of modules that can be interconnected, especially in modularized systems like M2C or MHF inverters and multi-phase converters.
Innovation Solution
A power electronic system utilizing a device bus for transmitting control signals to power modules, where the first communication edge of a telegram is sampled as a common time base, allowing synchronization without an additional synchronization line, and enabling bidirectional communication to ensure perfect synchronicity among modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a star topology with point-to-point communication is used, then synchronization of power modules is simple, but the maximum number of power modules is limited by the number of control outputs of the higher-level controller
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the communication function by introducing local control units that each manage a subset of power modules. Each local control unit has its own control outputs, effectively dividing the limitation of the higher-level controller into multiple smaller limitations that can be paralleled. This allows the system to scale to many more power modules while maintaining simple synchronization within each segment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of switching elements per power module is increased, then the power electronic system can be more versatile, but the number of required control outputs increases, requiring special adaptation of the higher-level controller
Solution Approach 1:
The control function is segmented between higher-level controller and local control units. The higher-level controller provides general control signals, while local control units handle the specific switching element control. This segmentation allows versatile power module configurations without requiring the higher-level controller to be specially adapted for each configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Local control units act as intermediaries between the higher-level controller and the switching elements. They receive control signals from the higher-level controller and translate them into appropriate switching signals for the power modules, thereby decoupling the higher-level controller from the specific details of power module configuration.
3Device complexity
If a bus system is used to network power modules, then the number of required control lines is reduced, but synchronization of individual power modules becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Local control units serve as intermediaries that receive control signals via the bus system and generate synchronized switching signals for their respective power modules. This intermediary layer maintains the simplicity of bus-based communication while ensuring precise synchronization through the coordinated action of multiple local control units.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization function is segmented and distributed to local control units rather than being centralized. Each local control unit independently manages synchronization for its subset of power modules, making the overall system easier to synchronize while maintaining low control line complexity through the bus architecture.
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a power electronic system, in particular a converter, for operating a load (5). The power electronic system comprises a number of power modules (10,.., 60) which are connected to the load (5) in a specified manner. Each of the power modules (10,.., 60) comprises at least one switching element (11,.., 61) and a local actuator (12,.., 62). The power electronic system further comprises a higher-level control (70) for outputting suitable control signals for actuating the number of power modules (10,.., 60) in order to operate the load (5) and a device bus (80), to which the higher-level control (70) and the number of power modules (10,.., 60) are connected and via which the control signals for actuating the number of power modules (10,.., 60) are transmitted or can be transmitted when operating the system (1). The higher-level control (70) is designed to transmit the control signals for actuating the number of power modules (10,.., 60) for the switch states of the system (1) to the number of power modules (10,.., 60) in respective telegrams (200) at specified time intervals (T) via the device bus (80). All of the power modules (10,.., 60) are designed to scan a first communication edge (201) of a respective received telegram (200) of the control (70) and to process the communication edge as a common time base of the system (1) in order to process the control signals.