Efficient simulation of DC‐AC power converters using multirate partial differential equations. (8th November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pels, Andreas; Sabariego, Ruth V.; Schöps, Sebastian
• Other Names: De Gersem Herbert guestEditor.; Kurz Stefan guestEditor.; Schöps Sebastian guestEditor.; Geuzaine Christophe guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: International journal of numerical modelling. Volume 33:Number 5(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-11-08
• Subjects: DC‐AC power conversion -- finite element methods -- multirate partial differential equations -- numerical analysis -- time discretization; Electric networks -- Mathematical models -- Periodicals; Electronics -- Mathematical models -- Periodicals; 621.3011
• DOI: 10.1002/jnm.2683
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0894-3370

Abstract

Abstract: Switch‐mode power converters are used in various applications to convert between different voltage (or current) levels. They use transistors to switch on and off the input voltage to generate a pulsed voltage whose arithmetic average is the desired output voltage of the converter. After smoothening by filters, the converter output is used to supply devices. The simulation of these switch‐mode power converters by conventional time discretization is computationally expensive since a high number of time steps is necessary to properly resolve the unknown state variables and detect switch events of the excitation. This paper proposes a multirate method based on the concept of multirate partial differential equations (MPDEs), which splits the solution into fast varying and slowly varying parts. The method is designed to work with pulse‐width modulated (PWM) excitation with a constant switching cycle and varying duty cycle. It is applicable to problems in which the circuit part generating the pulsed voltage, i.e., consisting of transistors, diodes, and voltage sources, can be approximated by an ideal PWM excitation. Switching‐event detection is no longer necessary and a much smaller number of time steps are required for a decent resolution, thus leading to a highly efficient method. The important case of varying duty cycles in the MPDE framework is addressed for the first time.