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1. Dual-Loop Frequency Synchronization and Load Regulation using a Discrete Time Model for a 7-Level Switched Capacitor WPT Rectifier

   https://doi.org/10.1109/COMPEL49091.2020.9265670  

   Cochran, Spencer ; Costinett, Daniel ( November 2020 , 2020 IEEE 21st Workshop on Control and Modeling for Power Electronics (COMPEL))

   null (Ed.)

   In wireless power transfer (WPT) applications, the multi-level switched capacitor topology achieves significant advantages in terms of efficiency, system loading, THD, and output regulation. The topology requires dual-loop control in order to harness these benefits. First, a small signal discrete time model for the 7-level rectifier WPT system is developed. Then, a control loop is designed that enables the rectifier to regulate DC load voltage by varying its modulation scheme. Next, the WPT carrier frequency is sensed and a phase-locked loop is used in combination with the small signal power stage model to design a closed-loop controller that synchronizes frequency and regulates control phase through adjustments of the switching period. Finally, cross-coupling interactions between the two control loops are modeled, and stable dual-loop operation is shown. 

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2. Generalized Architecture of a GaN-Based Modular Multiport Multilevel Flying Capacitor Converter

   https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2023.3269800  

   Tamasas Elrais, Mohamed ; Safayatullah, Md ; Batarseh, Issa ( January 2023 , IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics)

   This paper proposes a generalized Gallium Nitride (GaN) based modular multiport multilevel flying capacitor architecture. In other words, the attractive flying capacitor multilevel (FCML) design and the full-bridge unfolding circuit are employed to develop a multiport multilevel converter architecture that fits various applications. Each module can be designed to contain any combination of AC and DC ports connected through DC-to-DC and DC-to-AC power conversion paths. These conversion paths are FCML topologies that can be designed with any number of levels; the DC-to-AC paths incorporate the full-bridge unfolding circuit. Two example prototypes with open-loop control, three-port and four-port, have verified this generalized architecture. A single module 3 kW three-port four-level prototype with two DC ports and an AC port has achieved a compact size of 11.6 in 3 (4.8 in ×4.3 in × 0.56 in) and a high power density of 258.6 W/in 3 . The three ports are connected through DC-to-AC and DC-to-DC paths that have achieved peak efficiencies of 98.2% and 99.43%, respectively. The total harmonic distortion (THD) of the AC port's voltage and current are 1.26% and 1.23%, respectively. It operates at a high switching frequency of 120 kHz because of the GaN switches and has an actual frequency (inductor's ripple frequency) of 360 kHz thanks to the frequency multiplication effect of the FCML. The four-port prototype contains three DC ports and an AC port and achieved similar high figures of merit. These experimental results of the two prototypes of high efficiency, power density, and compact size are presented in this article and highlight this architecture's promising potential. The choice of the number of modules, ports, and levels depends on the application and its specification; therefore, this proposed generalized structure may serve as a reference design approach for various applications of interest. 

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3. Wirelessly Powered 3-D Printed Headstage Based Neural Stimulation System for Optogenetic Neuromodulation Application

   https://doi.org/10.1109/JERM.2022.3225972  

   Biswas, Dipon K. ; Saha, Nabanita ; Mahbub, Ifana ( January 2023 , IEEE Journal of Electromagnetics, RF and Microwaves in Medicine and Biology)

   This work presents a miniaturized wireless power transfer (WPT) system integrated with a neuromodulation headstage for duty-cycled optical stimulation of freely moving rodents. The proposed WPT system is built using the commercially available off-the-shelf components (COTS) for the optogenetic neuromodulation system consisting of a bridge rectifier, a DC-DC converter, an oscillator circuit, an LED driver, and a μLED. The total power consumption of the stimulation system is 14 mW which is provided using the WPT method. The WPT system includes a novel transmitter (TX) coil implemented on a printed circuit board (PCB), and a solenoid receiver (RX) coil wrapped around a customized 3-D printed headstage. The proposed TX coil is designed in such a way that the magnetic field all across the TX coil is sufficient to provide the required power to the optical stimulation system that is worn as a headstage by the freely moving rat. The headstage device's dimension is 18.75 mm × 21.95 mm, weighing 4.75 g. The ratio of the weight of the headstage and rat is 4.75:300. The proposed system is able to achieve a maximum overall efficiency of ∼63% at 5 cm separation between the TX and RX coils, where the maximum power transfer efficiency (PTE) of the WPT system is ∼88% and the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the rectifier is 71.6%. The proposed system with reconfigurable stimulation frequency is suitable for exciting different brain areas for long-term health monitoring. 

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4. A Matrix Autotransformer Switched-Capacitor Converter for Data Center Application

   https://doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2023.3308888  

   Qiu, Maohang ; Wei, Mengxuan ; Liu, Xiaoyan ; Meng, Haoran ; Cao, Dong ( December 2023 , IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics)

   This article proposes a matrix auto-transformer switched-capacitor dc–dc converter to achieve a high voltage conversion ratio, high efficiency, and high power density for 48-V data-center applications. On the high-voltage side, the proposed converter can fully leverage the benefits of high-performance low voltage stress devices similar to the multilevel modular switched-capacitor converter. Compared with the traditional isolated LLC converter with a matrix transformer, the proposed solution utilized a matrix autotransformer concept with merged primary and secondary side windings, thus leading to reduced transformer winding loss. The resonant inductor could be integrated into the transformer similar to the LLC converter. Because of the matrix autotransformer design, it can achieve a current doubler rectifier on the low voltage side. For less than 8-V low output voltage application, the current doubler rectifier design can fully utilize the best figure-of-merit 25-V device, which is more efficient than the full-bridge rectifier solution using two 25-V devices during the operation. All the devices can achieve zero voltage switching or zero current switching and can be naturally clamped without additional clamping circuits. A 500-W 48-V to 6-V dc–dc converter hardware prototype has been developed with optimized device selection and integrated matrix autotransformer design. Both simulation and experiment results have been provided to validate the features and benefits of the proposed converter. The maximum efficiency of the proposed converter can reach 98.33%. 

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5. Semi-Implantable Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) System Integrated With On-Chip Power Management Unit (PMU) for Neuromodulation Application

   https://doi.org/10.1109/JERM.2023.3256705  

   Biswas, Dipon K. ; Saha, Nabanita ; Kaul, Arnav ; Mahbub, Ifana ( June 2023 , IEEE Journal of Electromagnetics, RF and Microwaves in Medicine and Biology)

   Miniaturization of the neuromodulation system is important for non-invasive or sub-invasive optogenetic application. This work presents an optimized wireless power transfer (WPT) system integrated with an on-chip rectification circuitry and an off-chip stimulation circuitry for optogenetic stimulation of freely moving rodents. The proposed WPT system is built using parallel transmitter (TX) coils on printed circuit board (PCB) and wire-wound based receiver (RX) coil followed by a seven-stage voltage doubler and a low dropout regulator (LDO) circuit designed in 180 nm standard Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) process. A pulse stimulation is used to stimulate the neurons which is generated using a commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) components based oscillator circuit. The intensity of the stimulation is controlled by using a COTS based LED driver circuit which controls the current through the μ LED. The total dimension of the RX coil is 8 mm × 3.4 mm. The maximum power transfer efficiency (PTE) of the proposed WPT system is ∼ 35% and the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the rectifier is 52%. The proposed system with reconfigurable stimulation frequency is suitable for exciting different brain areas for long-term health monitoring. 

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