Predictive Controller for Power Supply Prognostication

SatCon will demonstrate the feasibility of prognostic control techniques for switching power converters utilizing emerging Silicon Carbide (SiC) power devices, while using predictive modeling to avoid excessive sensing requirements in the prognostics. Silicon Carbide is an emerging technology, that promises dramatic enhancements in size, weight, and reliability of power converters, and therefore significant work is required to accurately model the aging and wear out mechanisms. The significant benefits of SiC technology, and the increased confidence level in critical survivability of the converter, for manned and unmanned airborne applications, motivates this work. The prognostic control techniques will accelerate adoption and application of this and other new semiconductor technologies, by addressing concerns with the new devices and unknown failure mechanisms. Prognostic techniques focus on detection or prediction of developing failure mechanisms, invariably requiring extensive sensing to form an effective signature of the power converter and its operating environment. Changes in the signature indicate changes or trends system. This type of prognostic system is quite successful but can require excessive use of sensors, which can compromise the overall reliability of the system and increase both cost and complexity. Predictive modeling based on accurate component and system models can greatly reduce the sensing requirements.