Compact GaN-Based 25kW, 480V Three-Level Active Front End Rectifier
6th IEEE International Conference on Direct Current Microgrids, ICDCM 2024, South Carolina, United States Of America, 5 - 08 August 2024, (Full Text)
- Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
- Doi Number: 10.1109/icdcm60322.2024.10665131
- City: South Carolina
- Country: United States Of America
- Keywords: 3L-ANPC, active front end, compact design, DC Microgrids, GaN FETs, high efficiency, PCB-based planar inductor
- Open Archive Collection: Conference Paper
- Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC) Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Interface units are needed to connect DC microgrids to the AC grid. This paper presents a compact and high-efficiency 25kW 480V Gallium Nitride (GaN) based bidirectional Three-Level Active-Neutral-Point-Clamped (3L-ANPC) converter for DC microgrids. The entire system, including the FPGA, DC-link capacitors, switching devices in the topology, and AC grid inductive filters, is integrated onto a single board. The 3L-ANPC topology provides balanced distribution of power losses and voltage stress among the switches. A 200kHz switching frequency is used for the GaN devices to reduce the size of passive elements. A PCB-based DC busbar is designed to minimize inductance, ensure a compact size, and reduce parasitic capacitances. Additionally, PCB-based inductors are designed to minimize size and tolerance on inductance value and reduce magnetic flux pollution in the converter. System control is performed using an Intel ultra-high-speed FPGA. Simulation and experimental results validate the electrical and thermal performance of the proposed design.