Fraunhofer Institute for Silicon Technology
Fraunhofer Institute for Silicon Technology

Tuneable magnetics & converters

Voltage-controlled magnetic components, including inductors and transformers dynamically adjusted using an external input signal, are offering new possibilities in power electronics. These components provide circuit designers with an additional degree of freedom, enabling superior multi-objective optimization in power conversion systems.

At Fraunhofer ISIT, we collaborate with leading academic partners in power electronics and material science to develop innovative approaches for introducing tuneability into magnetic components. Our work prioritizes high efficiency and includes exploring new converter topologies, advanced control techniques, and power system designs where such devices offer significant advantages.

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Multiport resonant converter
 
Multiport isolated converters, which utilize a single multi-winding transformer, are gaining attention for their ability to interconnect multiple energy sources and loads (e.g., batteries, the grid, PV generators, and charging stations). Compared to conventional systems with separate isolated DC/DC converters, these integrated solutions reduce the number of power conversion stages, enhancing both compactness and efficiency.
However, such systems are more sensitive to parameter deviations. Mismatched passive components can lead to power flow control issues. To address this, we have demonstrated, as detailed in the referenced scientific publication, the use of voltage-controlled inductors. These tuneable inductors allowed full power flow control in a 4-port converter operating at 400 V, transferring 15 kW, with a resonant frequency of 20 kHz.

More broadly, dynamic control of magnetic components enables precise power delivery and adaptability across various applications. This includes optimizing efficiency based on operating points, maintaining stable output voltages, maximizing energy extraction, and more.

In the field of tuneable magnetics, we offer a unique value proposition built on:

  • Comprehensive expertise: From power devices to applications, including power converter topologies and control strategies, ensuring system-level optimization and a holistic design approach
  • Advanced design and testing capabilities: Extensive experience with magnetic devices, from conventional to planar and tuneable magnetics, supported by state-of-the-art equipment and methodologies. 
  • Material science collaboration: Close partnerships with academic experts in material science provide a full understanding of physical phenomena, enabling optimal exploitation of material properties for tuneable magnetic components.

Discover our scientific publications:

Voltage controlled magnetic components for power electronics –technologies and applications: an overview, M. Liserre, Y. Pascal, et al., IEEE Power Electronics Magazine, 2023, doi: 10.1109/MPEL.2023.3273892 [ doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2022.3232188 ].

Self-Tuning Multiport Resonant DC/DC Converter Based on Actively-Controlled Inductors for Hybrid Storage System Integration, T. Pereira, Y. Wei, Y. Pascal, H. A. Mantooth and M. Liserre, in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 38, no. 4, 2023, doi: 10.1109/TPEL.2022.3232188. [ doi.org/10.1109/TPEL.2022.3232188 ]