Investigation of different 12V DC/DC Topologies and optimum selection for Automotive
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Program
Electric power engineering (MPEPO), MSc
Publicerad
2023
Författare
Thaqi, Valdrin
Omar Hasan, Abshir
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
Abstract
In the past decade, the focus on technology for a sustainable society has accelerated, leading to new advancements in the automotive sector. Due to the strict emission reduction rules in the European union (EU), the transportation industry shifts toward electric vehicles which have driven significant technological advancements and increased the importance of DC/DC converters for energy conversion.
In this thesis, an extensive research has been conducted to investigate both resonant converters and non-resonant DC/DC converters suitable for the low voltage side. The focus was primarily on several topologies based on the full-bridge configuration, namely the Dual Active Bridge (DAB), Phase-Shifted Full-Bridge (PSFB), and Phase-Shifted Full-Bridge with Current Doubler Rectification (PSFB-CDR).
The analysis included a comprehensive investigation of the losses associated with these topologies under various load conditions. Furthermore, the study investigated the impact of using different semiconductor materials, such as Gallium Nitride (GaN) and Silicon Carbide (SiC), on the losses experienced in the converters.
This investigation highlighted the behavior of the losses and their relationship to the semiconductor material selection. Based on the findings, a range of potential improvements were suggested to enhance the overall efficiency of the converters. These recommendations aimed to optimize the performance and minimize losses, taking into account the specific characteristics of each topology. Lastly, the thesis included a comprehensive cost analysis of all the investigated topologies. This analysis in volved evaluating the unit costs of individual components as well as calculating the total cost considering the entire system. By considering cost implications alongside performance improvements, a comprehensive understanding of the feasibility and economic sustainability of each topology was achieved.