Modularization

Modular converter approaches split an overall operating voltage/current stress to several subsystems, multiply the switching frequency at constant switching losses and provide multiple output voltage/current levels, i.e. facilitate low filter effort / high power density, high efficiency, scalability and potentially redundancy. Starting from fundamental scaling laws, PES has derived a new figure-of-merit (X-FOM) that quantifies the maximum achievable efficiency of multi-level bridge-leg topologies and has validated the approach in a 10 kW three-phase record-breaking efficiency (99.35%) PV inverter. Moreover, a novel Q2L modulation scheme enabling ultra-compact multi-level flying  capacitor converters has been derived and an ultra-high bandwidth triple-interleaved three-level flying capacitor 600 V GaN HEMT 4.8 MHz power amplifier has been implemented featuring an extreme power density of 50 kW /dm³.