Radiation-Tolerant, High-Voltage Bidirectional DC-DC Converter PMIC

Alphacore proposes the integration of a 10kW, 100V to 5000V bidirectional DC-DC PMIC controller. A multi-chip package (MCP) approach to integration, in conjunction with inductive isolation, yields a single PMIC controller with tremendous savings in space and cost. The PMIC in combination with external WBG FETs implements a dual active bridge (DAB), bidirectional DC-DC converter module that can draw energy from the photovoltaic panel or the battery or, in combination with an inverter, from the grid. Alternatively, it can efficiently charge the battery or deliver energy to the loads when necessary. The PMIC can be part of a DC system or an AC grid. One of the topologies capable to implement seamlessly a unidirectional or bidirectional power flow is the digitally controlled DAB converter, whose phase shift sign determines the direction of the energy flow. DAB has the electrical advantages of wide voltage operation range, zero voltage switching via resonant transition of all devices, low switching and conduction losses, minimum device voltage stresses, and easier bidirectional control. The DAB also has favorable magnetics trade-offs: well-utilized transformer core, low transformer losses, and small series inductor sustaining low volt-seconds. Exceptionally high efficiencies have been demonstrated for this architecture.nbsp; In Phase I, Alphacore successfully designed and simulated the PMIC controller, as well as the DC-DC converter module. Critical system building blocks (LDO, BGR and flyback converter) have been already fabricated and were tested in a Cobalt 60 chamber, showing the effectiveness of the implemented radiation hardening techniques. This test data lowers the risk of the proposed Phase II program. nbsp;