April 28 2020, Campbell, Ca., USA: Pre-Switch, Inc., a Silicon Valley start-up that has developed the world’s-first AI DC/AC, AC/DC forced-resonance-based soft-switching controller delivering efficiency and performance benefits to a wide range of applications including EVs and renewables, has released a demonstration and full explanation of its CleanWave200 inverter reference. An animated sequence of 20 1µs screen captures illustrates the Pre-Switch AI actively learning from initial start-up with unknown conditions, then subsequently optimizing and adjusting the timing necessary to ensure that a PWM input generates a current ramp to simulate the first part of a sine wave output.
Double pulse test data obtained from the 200kW inverter demonstrates that the Pre-Switch soft-switching platform – comprising the Pre-Drive™3 controller board powered by the Pre-Flex™ FPGA, and RPG gate driver board – reduces total system switching losses by 90% or more.
Upon commencement of the initial switching cycle (0), the Pre-Switch AI controller assesses multiple inputs to determine what mode the system is in, and then makes a safe but non-optimal estimate of the resonant period needed for soft switching. During the next switching cycle (1), all AI inputs and resulting outputs from switching cycle 0 are precisely re-measured and analyzed. A second conservative resonant timing period, similar to switching cycle 0, is issued.
In follow on switching cycle (2), the AI algorithm is now quantitatively-confident and able to predict the optimized resonant timing to ensure full soft-switching – thus minimizing losses in all aspects of the system. Then in switching cycle 3, the AI compares system inputs and results from previous switching cycles and adjusts the resonant timing to fully optimize soft-switching with the increasing load current. These inputs and outputs are stored with the previous switching cycle inputs and resulting resonant timings to improve accuracy and system optimization.
In subsequent cycles, soft switching accuracy continues to be optimized, stored to and compared to desired results necessary to maintain accurate forced resonance soft switching. Changes in system temperature, input voltage, output load current, and device degradation are all accounted for and optimized within the Pre-Switch AI algorithm.
Comments Pre-Switch CEO, Bruce T. Renouard: “Pre-Switch is enabling customers to build systems with switching frequencies 4X-5X faster than their hard-switched IGBT systems and 35X faster than their hard-switched SiC and GaN systems. The GIF demonstrates how our AI is working within the CleanWave200 to bi-directionally convert 800VDC to three-phase AC at power levels of up to 200kVA with a switching frequency of 100kHz at 99% efficiency levels.”
The Cleanwave200 evaluation system, reference design and design files can be ordered from Pre-Switch.
About Pre-Switch
Pre-Switch, Inc. is a Silicon Valley company that delivers AI-based soft-switching power architectures that minimize switching losses, resulting in dramatic improvements in efficiency, size, performance and reliability. Key applications include for electric vehicles, solar inverters, wind turbines, UPS, storage and motor drives. Pre-Switch™ technology increases eV range, reduces battery size, shrinks power converter size and cost, while minimizing cooling requirements. Pre-Switch was founded by industry experts in power semiconductors, power systems, robotics, and artificial intelligence. Pre-Flex technology is patent pending globally.
Pre-Switch®, the Pre-Switch logo and other trademarks or service names are the trademarks of Pre-Switch, Inc.
