Accurate and robust battery models are required for the proper design and operation of battery-powered systems. However, the parametric identification of these models requires extensive and sophisticated methods to achieve enough accuracy. This paper shows a general and straightforward procedure, based on Simulink and Simscape of Matlab®, to build and parameterize Li-ion battery models. The model parameters are identified with the Optimization Toolbox of Matlab®, by means of an iterative process to minimize the sum of the squared errors. In addition, this procedure is applied to a selection of five different models available in the literature for electric vehicle applications, obtaining a comparative study between them. Also, the performance of each battery model is evaluated through two current profiles from two driven profiles known as the Urban Driving Cycle (ECE-15 or UDC) and the Hybrid Pulse Power Characterization (HPPC). The experimental results obtained from a Li-ion polymer battery have been compared with the data provided by the models, confirming the effectiveness of the proposed procedure, and also, the application field of each model as a function of the required accuracy.

Supercapacitors with characteristics such as high power density, long cycling life, fast charge, and discharge response are used in different applications like hybrid and electric vehicles, grid integration of renewable energies, or medical equipment. The parametric identification and the supercapacitor model selection are two complex processes, which have a critical impact on the system design process. This paper shows a comparison of the six commonly used supercapacitor models, as well as a general and straightforward identification parameter procedure based on Simulink or Simscape and the Optimization Toolbox of Matlab^®. The proposed procedure allows for estimating the different parameters of every model using a different identification current profile. Once the parameters have been obtained, the performance of each supercapacitor model is evaluated through two current profiles applied to hybrid electric vehicles, the urban driving cycle (ECE-15 or UDC) and the hybrid pulse power characterization (HPPC). The experimental results show that the model accuracy depends on the identification profile, as well as the robustness of each supercapacitor model. Finally, some model and identification current profile recommendations are detailed.

This paper provides an exhaustive analysis of the Dual-Active-Bridge with Triple-Phase-Shift (DAB-TPS) modulation and other simpler ones, identifying all the possible switching modes to operate the DAB in both power flow directions, and for any input-to-output voltage range and output power. This study shows four cases and seven switching modes for each case when the energy flows in one direction. That means that the DAB operates up to fifty-six different switching modes when the energy flows in both directions. Analytical expressions for the inductor current, the output power, and the boundaries between switching modes are provided for all cases. Additionally, the combination of control variables to achieve Zero-Voltage-Switching (ZVS) or Zero-Current-Switching (ZCS) is provided for each case and switching mode, by showing which switching modes obtain ZVS or ZCS for the whole power range and all switches—independent of the input-to-output voltage ratio. Therefore, the most interesting cases, switching mode and modulation for using the DAB are identified. Additionally, experimental validation has been carried out with a 250 W prototype. This analysis is a proper tool to design the DAB in the optimum switching mode, reducing the RMS current and achieving to increase efficiency and the power density.

Electrical distribution systems comprising different power sources and loads, such as electric vehicles, aircraft electrical distribution systems and residential microgrids, need for new power conversion architectures. Multi-port converters are an alternative to conventional multi-converter systems. This work studies a modular multi-active bridge (MMAB) converter, which is a multi-port converter based on the connection of active bridges and independent transformers. The converter is bidirectional, fully modular and scalable. It allows the connection of multiple power sources and loads that may change its power flow direction, allowing hot connection and disconnection of modules. The control of the power flow in each port depends on the relative phase shift among the control pulses of the others active bridges. An iterative algorithm is developed and implemented in a digital device to control the converter in real time. Besides a theoretical analysis, the main characteristics of the converter have been validated in a lab prototype with five modules. The experimental results validate the theoretical predictions. Power distribution among the modules has been kept under 9% of error with respect to the desired value, considering an open-loop control.

A new non-isolated dc–dc converter with non-inverting output and buck–boost operation, named magnetically coupled buck–boost bidirectional (MCB ³ ) converter, is presented in this article. The MCB ³ passive components arrangement connects the input and output ports getting an equivalent behavior to that of the dual active bridge (DAB) converter, but in a non-isolated topology. This equivalency allows applying Triple Phase Shift (TPS) modulation to MCB ³ . TPS is known to minimize conduction losses and to achieve soft switching at any load in the DAB converter. Throughout the article, the features of the DAB converter are used as a reference to show the main features of the proposed converter. Moreover, other modulation strategies based on TPS modulation are used in MCB ³ to operate within the minimum losses path. The multiple operation modes found on the MCB ³ under TPS modulation are identified, classified, and used to find the operating points that minimize the switching and conduction losses over the power range. The analysis is shown for the boost mode that is the worst case design. MCB ³ and DAB topologies are designed and simulated for the same specification to validate the theoretical study. Finally, experimental measurements on 460-W prototypes for both topologies corroborate the equivalent operation and the main features of the MCB ³ .

The new generation of microprocessors has imposed more demanding design requirements for their power supplies, usually known as voltage regulator modules (VRM). The transient response of the converter is a critical design issue since tight output voltage regulation should be achieved at lower voltage values and higher current levels with faster transient slew rates. In order to meet the new specifications, multiphase interleaved synchronous buck converters are the most interesting solution from the VRM design viewpoint since this power topology allows increasing the current level minimizing the total equivalent inductance and the output capacitor. Regarding the converter control strategy, an existing control technique known as linear-nonlinear control improves the converter transient response with an easy saturation rule of the duty cycle since it is based on output voltage sensing. As a consequence, a reduction of the number of phases and the switching frequency of the multiphase VRM is obtained. This paper analyzes the impact of the reduction of the number of phases and switching frequency on the converter size in comparison with multiphase VRM with linear control strategy.