Three-Section ANPC Based mostly On GaN Reference Design

The design particulars GaN energy units, modular development, and voltage sensing to optimize inverter efficiency. See extra!

The photo voltaic inverter business is experiencing developments, resulting in the event of smaller, environment friendly merchandise. Improvements embrace the adoption of upper voltage photo voltaic arrays, the discount in measurement of onboard magnetics, and the mixing of localized energy storage with bidirectional energy levels. These enhancements are enhancing efficiency and effectivity, with greater voltage arrays lowering present and conduction losses, whereas new inverter topologies and sooner switching speeds allow extra compact designs. For design engineers engaged on purposes akin to string inverters, DC wallbox chargers, and energy conversion techniques (PCS), the TIDA-010210 reference design from Texas Devices provides a instrument.

The fast-switching capabilities of GaN energy units allow operation at a better frequency of 100 kHz, which reduces the dimensions of the filter magnetics and enhances the ability density of the ability stage. The multilevel topology permits for the usage of 600-V rated energy units, enabling greater DC bus voltages of as much as 1000 V. The diminished switching voltage stress lowers switching losses, reaching a peak effectivity of 98.5%.

The modular development of this reference design provides flexibility for engineers, permitting them to simply swap out energy switching units for direct comparisons between completely different configurations. The design consists of a number of key boards: a motherboard that features the LCL filter, sensing electronics, bias energy, switching relays, and cooling followers; a TMDSCNCD280049C Management Card that helps the DSP; and 6 energy playing cards, every switching at 100 kHz with GaN energy switching units and remoted bias energy provides. Moreover, three energy playing cards function at 100 Hz and 120 Hz with Si energy switching units, gate drivers, and remoted bias energy provides.

Engineers can even reap the benefits of the design’s flexibility in terms of energy provide. Whereas the reference design can settle for 12-V bias energy from an exterior provide, it additionally consists of provisions for integrating an auxiliary energy provide that may function straight from the high-voltage DC bus, providing additional versatility.

The reference design additionally incorporates voltage sensing at three factors within the inverter sign path—earlier than and after the first output relay, in addition to on the optimistic and detrimental bus voltages. This allows engineers to synchronize the management system with the grid voltage and frequency earlier than connecting, stopping potential mismatch points. Moreover, voltage sensing on the optimistic and detrimental bus voltages permits for fine-tuning of the obligation cycle throughout each the optimistic and detrimental half cycles, making certain exact operation and stopping bus voltage mismatches. This functionality helps engineers optimize the inverter’s efficiency and obtain dependable, environment friendly operation in numerous purposes.

TI has examined this reference design. It comes with a invoice of supplies (BOM), schematics, meeting drawing, printed circuit board (PCB) structure, and extra. The corporate’s web site has extra information concerning the reference design. To learn extra about this reference design, click on right here.