NASA 1996 SBIR Phase I

PROJECT TITLE : Fast Dynamical Simulations of Power Electronic Circuits

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)

The proposed SBIR Phase I project focuses on enhancing the speed with which dynamical simulations of power electronic circuits can be performed. Dynamical simulation of systems containing power electronic devices is a key means of both understanding their physical behavior and enabling manufacturers to develop such instrumentation quickly and at low cost. Power electronics simulations, however, poses uniquely intricate challenges to designers for many reasons. The present research focuses on innovative mathematical methods for enhancing simulation speeds without appreciable loss of numerical accuracy or stability. Closed-loop control circuits for two power electronic devices, a three-phase inverter and brushless DC motor, will be examined as moderately complex problems for exploring the mathematical methods of interest.

Power electronics circuits are becoming increasingly important because of the greater efficiency, lower cost, and superior control they offer over conventional power processing circuitry. Design of new equipment, however, is a slow and costly process, chiefly because of the tedious work and heavy usage of computer resources required for simulations. Power electronic circuits pose unique difficulties for simulation tests, chiefly because of their discontinuous and nonlinear dynamical behavior and the widely differing time constants they introduce into larger systems containing them. Progress in the proposed research would help reduce simulation run times without appreciable loss of numerical accuracy. This would reduce new-product development costs in the field and would benefit aerospace purchasers of such devices, e.g., for power systems for the Space Shuttle and satellites.

Edward C. Larson
Barron Associates, Inc.
3046A Berkmar Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22901-1444

Barron Associates, Inc.
3046A Berkmar Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22901-1444