Javier Sebastian

Bio: Javier Sebastian is an academic researcher from University of Oviedo. The author has contributed to research in topics: Power factor & Switched-mode power supply. The author has an hindex of 43, co-authored 270 publications receiving 6074 citations. Previous affiliations of Javier Sebastian include ETSI & Technical University of Madrid.

The discontinuous conduction mode Sepic and Cuk power factor preregulators: analysis and design

Abstract: Sepic and Cuk power converters working as power factor preregulators (PFP) in the discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) present the following desirable characteristics for a PFP: (1) the power converter works as a voltage follower (no current loop is needed); (2) the theoretical power factor is unity; and (3) the input current ripple is defined at the design stage. Besides, input-output galvanic isolation is easily obtained. This paper analyzes the operation of both power converters as DCM-PFP. Design equations are derived, as well as a small-signal model to aid the control loop design. Both simulation and experimental results are presented that are in agreement with the theoretical analysis and complement the work.

An overall study of a Dual Active Bridge for bidirectional DC/DC conversion

Abstract: The increase demand of an intermediate storage of electrical energy in battery systems, in particular due to the use of renewable energy, has resulted in the need of bidirectional DC/DC power converters with galvanic isolation Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), battery charging systems, photovoltaic equipment and auxiliary power supplies in traction applications are examples of some fields of application of this kind of converters A Dual Active Bridge (DAB) bidirectional DC/DC converter is a topology with the advantages of decreased number of devices, soft-switching commutations, low cost, and high efficiency The use of this topology is proposed for applications where the power density, cost, weight, and reliability are critical factors In the present paper the steady-state analysis of the converter has been carried out, giving some guidelines for the design (considering soft switching limits and the amount of reactive current) and a small-signal model of the topology Simulations and experimental results are also presented

Different Purpose Design Strategies and Techniques to Improve the Performance of a Dual Active Bridge With Phase-Shift Control

Abstract: This paper addresses the performance of the bidirectional dual active bridge (DAB) converter. One of the advantages of the DAB is the possibility to achieve the zero-voltage switching (ZVS) operation in all the switches of this converter. However, the ZVS operation range can be lost for light loads, especially if high voltage is required in at least one of the DAB ports and the phase-shift control is used to regulate the power processed by the converter. Theoretically simple averaged and small-signal models are presented for the DAB converter. Using the study presented in this paper, the boundaries of the ZVS operation can be easily evaluated. The proposed models and analysis of the ZVS boundaries allow the proposal and evaluation of two different design strategies with different purposes: on the one hand, increasing the ZVS operation range and, on the other, improving efficiency at full load. Moreover, some techniques are presented for increasing the ZVS operation range and improving the efficiency of the DAB at full load (both using phase-shift control) employing the aforementioned analysis to obtain certain design criteria and conclusions. Finally, the proposed models, design strategies, and techniques to improve the performance of the DAB are experimentally tested using a 1-kW prototype with input and output voltages of 48 and 400 V, respectively.

Design criteria for SEPIC and Cuk converters as power factor preregulators in discontinuous conduction mode

Abstract: SEPIC and Cuk converters present a great advantage over boost and fly-back topologies in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM): an input current with low harmonic content can be obtained by correctly choosing the inductors L/sub 1/ and L/sub 2/ of the converter with a fixed operation frequency, as is demonstrated here. The authors also discuss the intermedium capacitor C/sub 1/ as well as some advantages and disadvantages of the application. Simulation and experimental results support the approach. It is concluded that SEPIC and Cuk converters in DCM seem to be good choices for use as power factor preregulators. >

Design of a Soft-Switching Asymmetrical Half-Bridge Converter as Second Stage of an LED Driver for Street Lighting Application

Abstract: High-brightness LEDs are considered remarkable lighting devices due to their high reliability, chromatic variety, and increasing efficiency. As a result, a high number of solutions for supplying LED strings are emerging. One-stage solutions are cost-effective, but their efficiency is low because they have to fulfill several purposes with only one converter: power factor correction (PFC), galvanic isolation (in some cases), and current regulation. Two-stage and three-stage solutions have higher efficiency because each stage is optimized for only one or two tasks and they are the preferred options when supplying several strings at the same time. In this paper, a two-stage solution is proposed. The first stage is the well-known PFC boost converter. The second stage, on which this paper is focused, is the asymmetrical half bridge (AHB). Its design has been optimized based on the needs and characteristics of LED-based street lighting applications. The proposed transformer design (with asymmetrical secondary windings) minimizes the conduction losses while the model of the converter during the dead times optimizes their duration, reducing switching losses in the MOSFETs and diodes. Experimental results obtained with a 40-W prototype show an efficiency as high as 94.5% for this second stage and validate the proposed design procedure and model.

Review of Battery Charger Topologies, Charging Power Levels, and Infrastructure for Plug-In Electric and Hybrid Vehicles

Abstract: This paper reviews the current status and implementation of battery chargers, charging power levels, and infrastructure for plug-in electric vehicles and hybrids. Charger systems are categorized into off-board and on-board types with unidirectional or bidirectional power flow. Unidirectional charging limits hardware requirements and simplifies interconnection issues. Bidirectional charging supports battery energy injection back to the grid. Typical on-board chargers restrict power because of weight, space, and cost constraints. They can be integrated with the electric drive to avoid these problems. The availability of charging infrastructure reduces on-board energy storage requirements and costs. On-board charger systems can be conductive or inductive. An off-board charger can be designed for high charging rates and is less constrained by size and weight. Level 1 (convenience), Level 2 (primary), and Level 3 (fast) power levels are discussed. Future aspects such as roadbed charging are presented. Various power level chargers and infrastructure configurations are presented, compared, and evaluated based on amount of power, charging time and location, cost, equipment, and other factors.

A review of single-phase improved power quality AC-DC converters

Abstract: Solid-state switch-mode rectification converters have reached a matured level for improving power quality in terms of power-factor correction (PFC), reduced total harmonic distortion at input AC mains and precisely regulated DC output in buck, boost, buck-boost and multilevel modes with unidirectional and bidirectional power flow. This paper deals with a comprehensive review of improved power quality converters (IPQCs) configurations, control approaches, design features, selection of components, other related considerations, and their suitability and selection for specific applications. It is targeted to provide a wide spectrum on the status of IPQC technology to researchers, designers and application engineers working on switched-mode AC-DC converters. A classified list of more than 450 research publications on the state of art of IPQC is also given for a quick reference.

Overview of Dual-Active-Bridge Isolated Bidirectional DC–DC Converter for High-Frequency-Link Power-Conversion System

Abstract: High-frequency-link (HFL) power conversion systems (PCSs) are attracting more and more attentions in academia and industry for high power density, reduced weight, and low noise without compromising efficiency, cost, and reliability. In HFL PCSs, dual-active-bridge (DAB) isolated bidirectional dc-dc converter (IBDC) serves as the core circuit. This paper gives an overview of DAB-IBDC for HFL PCSs. First, the research necessity and development history are introduced. Second, the research subjects about basic characterization, control strategy, soft-switching solution and variant, as well as hardware design and optimization are reviewed and analyzed. On this basis, several typical application schemes of DAB-IBDC for HPL PCSs are presented in a worldwide scope. Finally, design recommendations and future trends are presented. As the core circuit of HFL PCSs, DAB-IBDC has wide prospects. The large-scale practical application of DAB-IBDC for HFL PCSs is expected with the recent advances in solid-state semiconductors, magnetic and capacitive materials, and microelectronic technologies.

Step-Up DC–DC Converters: A Comprehensive Review of Voltage-Boosting Techniques, Topologies, and Applications

Abstract: DC–DC converters with voltage boost capability are widely used in a large number of power conversion applications, from fraction-of-volt to tens of thousands of volts at power levels from milliwatts to megawatts. The literature has reported on various voltage-boosting techniques, in which fundamental energy storing elements (inductors and capacitors) and/or transformers in conjunction with switch(es) and diode(s) are utilized in the circuit. These techniques include switched capacitor (charge pump), voltage multiplier, switched inductor/voltage lift, magnetic coupling, and multistage/-level, and each has its own merits and demerits depending on application, in terms of cost, complexity, power density, reliability, and efficiency. To meet the growing demand for such applications, new power converter topologies that use the above voltage-boosting techniques, as well as some active and passive components, are continuously being proposed. The permutations and combinations of the various voltage-boosting techniques with additional components in a circuit allow for numerous new topologies and configurations, which are often confusing and difficult to follow. Therefore, to present a clear picture on the general law and framework of the development of next-generation step-up dc–dc converters, this paper aims to comprehensively review and classify various step-up dc–dc converters based on their characteristics and voltage-boosting techniques. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of these voltage-boosting techniques and associated converters are discussed in detail. Finally, broad applications of dc–dc converters are presented and summarized with comparative study of different voltage-boosting techniques.

A Review of the Single Phase Photovoltaic Module Integrated Converter Topologies With Three Different DC Link Configurations

Abstract: The annual world photovoltaic (PV) cell/module production is growing at almost an exponential rate and has reached 1727 MW in 2005. Building integrated PV (BIPV) projects are emerging as the strongest part of the PV market and grid interactive inverters are a key component in determining the total system cost. Module integrated converter (MIC) technology has become a global trend in grid interactive PV applications and may assist in driving down the balance of system costs to secure an improved total system cost. This paper concentrates on the topology study of the PV MICs in the power range below 500 W and covers most topologies recently proposed for MIC applications. The MIC topologies are classified into three different arrangements based on the dc link configurations. A systematic discussion is also provided at the end of the paper that focuses on the major advantages and disadvantages of each MIC arrangement. These are considered in detail and will provide a useful framework and point of reference for the next generation MIC designs and applications.