This paper proposes an efficient and compact hybrid switched-capacitor (SC) converter for direct 48-to-1-V power conversion in data centers. The proposed topology can be viewed as a 2-to-1 SC merged with two 8-to-1 series-capacitor-buck (SCB) modules through switching buses. Different from the conventional DC bus architecture, architecture removes bulky capacitors reduces number of switches. Compared existing demonstrations, achieves highest stage ratio lowest normalized switch volt-ampere...

Inchworm locomotion is comprised of a simple anchor-slip gait which has inspired wealth mobile robots spanning rigid, soft, composite, and foldable mechanisms. Here, we expand upon that work by introducing centimeter-scale, inexpensive, simple, soft capable forward backward motion, as well tight turns. The are based on partially antagonistic fluid elastomer actuators; using low fidelity model experimental verification, reason about actuator geometry. We introduce two-step manufacturing...

This paper proposes a switching bus converter, an efficient and compact hybrid switched-capacitor (SC) voltage regulator, for direct 48 V to Point-of-Load (PoL) power conversion in data centers. The proposed topology merges 2-to-1 SC front-end with two 8-branch series-capacitor-buck (SCB) modules through buses. Compared the existing DC-bus-based architecture, switching-bus-based architecture does not require DC capacitors, reduces number of switches, ensures complete soft-charging operation....

Advances in wide-bandgap devices have enabled increased switching frequencies modern power converters. As a result, the parasitic inductance arising from cell layout has become critical to converter performance and operation. This not only reduces slew rate, which degrades efficiency, but can also cause electromagnetic interference destructive voltage overshoot. paper presents method for estimating of printed circuit board (PCB) commutation loops, targeted rapid iteration by electronics...

Multilevel topologies provide an attractive alternative to two-level converters because they enable utilization of devices with lower blocking voltage and correspondingly high figure-of-merit. The flying capacitor multilevel converter (FCML) has demonstrated both very power density efficiency in a variety applications. These are modular design, consisting series-connected switching cells. As such, the optimization this unit cell provides framework build up high-performance FCMLs any level...

A major goal of autonomous robot collectives is to robustly perform complex tasks in unstructured environments by leveraging hardware redundancy and the emergent ability adapt perturbations. In such collectives, large numbers a contributor system-level robustness. Designing however, requires more than isolated development software that supports scales. Rather, support scalability, we must also incorporate robust constituents weigh interrelated design choices span fabrication, operation,...

High-performance hard-switched converters suffer from significant voltage overshoot and ringing upon switching transitions. This increases switch stress electromagnetic interference, while also reducing reliability. Attempts to mitigate these drawbacks with increased gate resistance, or a slower device, yield reduced efficiency. Large bulk capacitors are typically required meet ripple constraints under load. As such, their package inductance is considerable they may be placed far the power...

Proper utilization of GaN devices generally necessitates ultra-low inductance printed circuit board (PCB) layout in the main commutation loop or switching cell a power converter. The flying c apacitor m ultilevel ( FCML) t opology particular contains many these cells, thus design optimization becomes critical. A novel asymmetrical with sub-1 nH is proposed and characterized for FCML by utilizing transient- impedance-based measurement technique conjunction 3D field simulation. To validate its...

Drivetrain efficiency and weight represent significant barriers toward the development of future electric aircraft. Multilevel inverter designs have demonstrated high performance in these applications. The flying capacitor multilevel converter (FCML), particular, has shown promise. It achieves very due to its low-voltage, figure-of-merit devices, low reduced output filter size reliance on capacitive energy storage. FCMLs contains many active devices with associated gate drive circuitry. In...

Abstract Honey bee signals are primarily studied through natural observation combined with manipulations of the colony or environment, not direct manipulation signal stimulus receivers. Consequently, we know little about which aspects necessary to reproduce behavioral responses. Here, focus on shaking signal, wherein a worker grabs onto another and vibrates. All castes receive signals, but individual responses depend context, may be multi-modal (mechanical, odor, sound, etc.). We designed...

We present a planar, self-reconfigurable modular robot with onboard processing, sensing, communication, and passive components for actuation. Modules consist primarily of flexible printed circuit board rolled in loop that is populated all electronic 12 simplified electro-permanent magnets mobility communication. The PCB eases assembly introduces compliance safe interaction external objects other modules, as well configuration large scale lattice configurations beyond what the manufacturing...

State-of-the-art inverters and motors can operate with modulation frequencies above 1kHz. Commercial AC electronic loads unable to sink current at such high frequencies. Manually connecting disconnecting an array of high-power resistors is time-consuming error-prone. In this work, electronically controlled multi-phase resistive load bank presented, which allows users perform automated dynamic sweeps safely efficiently. Implementation details regarding reliability, signal integrity, user...

This work explores the design and fabrication of ultra-thin power converters, which utilize advantageous form factor inductor size reduction flying capacitor multilevel (FCML) converters. For high voltage (i.e. 400 V) applications considered here, careful attention is paid to meeting stringent creepage clearance requirements. A hardware prototype developed tested evaluate a novel low inductance commutation loop design, utilizes Printed Circuit Board (PCB) embedded local capacitors. The...

Prior work has shown that a power con-verter's commutation loop inductance is critical to switching performance. For designs with surface-mount components, this may be minimized through the use of clever layout techniques. But for many applications, transistors large through-hole packages are used, due their low junction-to-case thermal impedance and compatibility heatsinks, both which allow high handling capability. In work, small GaN transistor added in parallel Silicon improve Together...

Modular self-reconfigurable robots have the ability to change their connection topology form large networks of distributed sensors and actuators, for example reason about gradients in environment or geometry surroundings. Past work has focused on algorithms compute intrinsic shape robot. Here, we instead focus that permit planar modular external objects 2D. Grounded characterization physical sensors, simulate estimation by increasing object size complexity. Specifically, compare use...

This work presents a distributed regenerative snubber network with reduced part count in multi-level converter designs. The proposed technique utilizes the ordinarily detrimental parasitic commutation loop inductance to harvest <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$C_{OSS}$</tex> -related energy using of high-speed diode-capacitor catching circuits. approach has several attractive features: First,...

In this work, we combine two popular power conversion topologies, the flying capacitor multilevel (FCML) converter and LLC converter, to arrive at proposed (FCLLC) solution with advantages of each. The FCLLC comprises a step-down resonant switched-capacitor (ReSC) stage followed by transformer-based which provides soft charging capacitors, galvanic isolation, an additional through transformer. These ratios are multiplied, making especially suited for extreme ratios. An prototype capable...