Integration of RF Circuits with High Speed GaN Switching on Silicon Substrates
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Abstract
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People |
ORCID iD |
Andrew Forsyth (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Villarruel-Parra A
(2019)
75 MHz discrete GaN based multi-level buck converter for envelope tracking applications
Villarruel-Parra, A
(2019)
75 MHz discrete GaN based multi-level buck converter for envelope tracking applications
Villarruel-Parra, A
(2020)
Control of Envelope Tracking PWM Multi-level Buck Converters up to 150 MHz
Description | The research has identified and devised techniques to operate power semiconductor devices at switching frequencies in the range 50 MHz to 200 MHz. This represents an increase of around one hundred times over typical operating frequencies. This increase in frequency will enable the power supply circuits for RF power amplifiers to provide a rapidly changing output voltage to the amplifier, resulting in an overall increase in system efficiency. The research has identified the most suitable converter topologies, gate drive circuits and control methods, with the multi-level approach offering distinct advantages. The results of the modelling and simulation work have been validated with off-the-shelf semiconductor components. The research is also investigating the interactions between the power supply and the RF amplifier. A number of unexpected patterns of behaviour have been identified and analysed, enabling the development of enhanced models for the supply modulator and the development of an overall system design and optimisation methodology. |
Exploitation Route | The most immediate applications will be in the next generation of mobile communications systems (5G), but more generally the techniques will also have applications in low-voltage power conversion systems where high performance (high efficiency and small size) are priorities. This includes the power supplies for many electronic devices and systems and potentially wireless charging systems. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Electronics Energy Transport |
Description | Using some of the circuit analysis and knowhow developed in the grant, an industrially funded PhD student is now working with company (Nexperia) on enhanced design and analysis techniques for the optimisation and application of power MOSFETs within the automotive sector. In addition, through underpinning and developing our academic research into next generation power semiconductor technologies, the work done in the grant has contributed to the formation of a new avenue of research into ultra-wide bandgap power devices using AlGaN, and the award of the ULTRAlGaN programme grant, which is led by Bristol. |
First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
Sector | Electronics,Transport |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | KTP |
Amount | £240,146 (GBP) |
Funding ID | KTP11288 |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2019 |
End | 04/2022 |
Description | KTP |
Amount | £240,146 (GBP) |
Funding ID | KTP11288 |
Organisation | TT-electronics Semelab |
Sector | Private |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 04/2019 |
End | 04/2022 |
Description | Ultrawide Bandgap AlGaN Power Electronics - Transforming Solid-State Circuit Breakers (ULTRAlGaN) |
Amount | £5,326,504 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/X035360/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2024 |
End | 02/2029 |
Description | AlGaN Power Devices |
Organisation | University of Bristol |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Development of programme grant proposal for next generation ultra-wide bandgap power devices. We are waiting for the funding decision. The Manchester contribution concerned the application and requirements of future power devices. |
Collaborator Contribution | Bristol - device design Cambridge - material growth |
Impact | Multi-disciplinary. No outcomes yet. Decision on funding expected imminently. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | AlGaN Power Devices |
Organisation | University of Cambridge |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Development of programme grant proposal for next generation ultra-wide bandgap power devices. We are waiting for the funding decision. The Manchester contribution concerned the application and requirements of future power devices. |
Collaborator Contribution | Bristol - device design Cambridge - material growth |
Impact | Multi-disciplinary. No outcomes yet. Decision on funding expected imminently. |
Start Year | 2021 |
Description | Envelope tracking consortium |
Organisation | Cardiff University |
Department | School of Engineering |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Provided understanding of the characteristics and performance limits of power converter circuits, including the impact of semiconductor device characteristics on system performance, and how best to design / control a converter to achieve the required envelope tracking performance. |
Collaborator Contribution | Development of optimised power semiconductor devices for very high frequency operation in a power converter (Sheffield) and an understanding of the performance requirements and trade-offs in envelope tracking applications (Cardiff). |
Impact | Too early for outcomes to have materialised. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Envelope tracking consortium |
Organisation | University of Sheffield |
Department | Faculty of Engineering |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Provided understanding of the characteristics and performance limits of power converter circuits, including the impact of semiconductor device characteristics on system performance, and how best to design / control a converter to achieve the required envelope tracking performance. |
Collaborator Contribution | Development of optimised power semiconductor devices for very high frequency operation in a power converter (Sheffield) and an understanding of the performance requirements and trade-offs in envelope tracking applications (Cardiff). |
Impact | Too early for outcomes to have materialised. |
Start Year | 2017 |
Description | Hosting summer student interns |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
Results and Impact | Hosted two undergraduate student interns in the research group who worked on aspects of this research project. This enabled them to learn about research work and research careers in general and about the specific challenges and technology in this project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Poster presentation at EPSRC Power Electronics Centre annual conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Poster presentation by the project RA Alejandro Villarruel to raise the profile of the research within the community and highlight the achievements. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Wireless Power Week Discussion Panel |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation and panel discussion on wide band-gap power device applications held at Wireless Power Week 2019. An IEEE / IET conference held at Savoy Place, London. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |