Instrumentation & Testing

The research activities focus on test systems for electromobility components such as batteries, fuel cells and electric motors, as well as on modular multi-converter systems whose control and regulation requires powerful processor platforms (e.g. combination of microcontrollers and FPGAs). These application fields are characterized by special requirements for synchronization, signal dynamics and precision in control and signal processing.

Research foci

• GaN and SiC transistor-based converter modules with very high switching frequencies for achieving maximum possible signal dynamics
• Highly compact galvanically isolated DC-DC converters with a bandwidth above 100kHz
• High-performance multi-processor system-on-chip control boards for controlling high-frequent switching power electronics
• Model-based software development (automated workflow for FPGA and processor programming)
• Ethernet-based real-time control of modular / distributed converter systems

Research competencies

• Wide-bandgap power electronics with focus on the realization of prototypes and their functional tests
• Broadband GaN transistor-based high-current amplifiers (Digital Amplifiers)
• Optimization of filter components and high-frequency transformers for interleaved buck-boost and resonant converters
• Power electronics control with shortest cycle times (< 500ns) and temporal signal resolutions down to 10ps
• Synchronized operation of distributed converter systems

Projects

• Project BECOME (closed):
  (Galvanically isolated bidirectional DC-DC converter module)
  
  Development of resonant converters with planar transformers for galvanic isolation of digital amplifiers used in different test systems. The principal aim of the project was to explore the limits of the feasible switching frequencies in relation to the planar transformers used. The high switching frequencies are required to achieve the desired dynamics in the power flow.
  More information: BECOME

• Project ALFREDA (ongoing):
  (Model-based development of control algorithms on Xilinx Ultrascale MPSOC platforms)
  
  Development of workflows for the implementation of control algorithms on multi-processor system-on-chip control platforms for the generation of C code for processors or VHDL for FPGAs from MatLab/Simulink models. The aim is to increase system flexibility and to comprehensively improve/support the entire development process in terms of firmware and software.
  More information: ALFREDA

• Project SALSA (ongoing):
  (Simulation based Analysis of SiC-Inverter Applications)
  
  Development of different DC-DC and DC-AC SiC converter applications with the analysis to optimize switching behavior, power density and efficiency. In the project, the possibilities for improving the performance of converters using wide-bandgap technology will be demonstrated by means of selected application examples.
  More information: SALSA