Research fields

The research profile of the Chair of Power Electronics is characterised by the following focal points:

Power semiconductors (MOSFET, IGBT, IGCT, GTO, thyristors, SiC switches / diodes

• Experimental and simulative investigation of power semiconductors  and driver circuits:
  • conducting behaviour
  • Switching behaviour (hard and soft)
  • Protection
  • Series and parallel connection
  • Driver circuit including power supply
• Application-specific optimisation

Converters

• Analysis, modelling, simulation, optimisation, comparison, prototyping, benchmark and experimental investigation of novel topologies and modulation processes
• Topologies (e.g.):
  • 2L-VSCs, multi-level converters
  • 3L-NPC-VSC, 3L-ANPC-VSC
  • 3L / 4L / 7L-FC-VSC, 5L-ANPC-VSC
  • Modular multi-level converter (MMC, M2C)
  • MF and Transformerless Converters (Electronic Transformer)

• Analysis and dimensioning of converters and power sub-components

• Application-specific optimisation
• Fast prototyping
• Investigation  and development of power supplies (e.g. contactless energy transfer, piezo, ballasts for lamps and luminaires)

Control close to the converter

• Mathematical modelling, model analysis, simulation, control design, implementation and experimental investigation of control algorithms
• Design as well as simulative and experimental testing of observers and identification algorithms
• Drive test rig as the basis for experimental investigations

Typical applications

• Electrical drives
• Technological power supplies (e.g., welding, laser, inductive heating, etc.)
• Energy systems (e.g. HVDC, network coupling, active filters, SVC, etc.)
• Regenerative and distributed energy sources (e.g. converters for wind turbines, solar inverters, etc.)
• Transport technology (e.g., trams, regional trains, locomotives, multiple unit trains)