IEEE Access (Jan 2024)
A Simple Method to Mitigate Large Background Noises by Common Mode EMI in a Modern Power Converter Network
Abstract
Modern energy systems (e.g., electric ships, aircraft, and vehicles) are increasingly designed with interconnected power converters that are tightly packaged to form an extensive network. It enables high-efficiency multi-functional operations by integrating numerous fast-switching wide bandgap (WBG) devices. However, such a complex network could create a large common-mode (CM) electromagnetic interference (EMI) flowing into common chassis or ground. This can make unprecedently large but unknown background noise. Despite increasing background noise in a network, the state-of-the-art CM EMI characterization efforts have focused mostly on single discrete devices or single packaged modules until recently. However, a limited study has been done on a large background CM EMI noise, especially under extensive networks. Furthermore, it has not been fully characterized; it has become a major technical bottleneck in electrified transportation. Due to a limited understanding of such background noise dynamics, most resort to bulky and costly passive filters with considerable tradeoffs between size, weight, and cost. These are not viable. This paper proposes a simple but effective approach to characterize the background CM EMI noises and new mitigation methods to address the emerging challenge. Specifically, this will be achieved by 1) understanding how the CM EMI background noises from many converters may dynamically change in extensive networks and 2) exploring new network control strategies to mitigate the large amounts of CM EMI carriers. The proposed method will not 1) impact system missions, 2) require performance tradeoffs, and 3) use bulky/heavy/costly filters. The new features and findings will be theoretically, experimentally, and rigorously validated through a 1.2 kV Medium Voltage (MV) CM EMI Network testbed.
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