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This paper presents the design procedure for a new multicycle resonance-based voltage boosting rectifier (MCRR) capable of delivering a desired amount of power to the load (PDL) at a designated high voltage through a loosely coupled inductive link. This is achieved by shorting the receiver (Rx) LC\--\tank for several cycles to harvest and accumulate the wireless energy in the RX inductor before boosting the voltage by breaking the loop and transferring the energy to the load in a quarter cycle. By optimizing the geometries of the transmitter (Tx) and Rx coils and the number of cycles, $N$, for energy harvesting, through an iterative design procedure, the MCRR can achieve the highest PDL under a given set of design constraints. Governing equations in the MCRR operation are derived to identify key specifications and the design guidelines. Using an exemplary set of specs, the optimized MCRR was able to generate 20.9 $V_{{\rm{dc}}} across a 100 kΩ load from \text1.8\,Vp, 6.78-MHz sinusoid input in the industrial-scientific-medical-band at a Tx/Rx coil separation of 1.3 cm, power transfer efficiency of 2.2%, and N=9 cycles. At the same coil distance and loading, coils optimized for a conventional half-wave rectifier were able to reach only 13.6 $V_{{\rm{dc}}}$ from the same source. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The 3GPP has proposed enhanced intercell interference coordination (eICIC) by making the macrocell silent in the almost blank subframes (ABSs) to mitigate interference for low-power base stations (BSs) in the downlink direction. However, two important challenges are introduced: 1) the underutilization for macrocell in ABS and 2) the optimal downlink association may not be optimal for uplink transmission, i.e., downlink/uplink decoupling (DUDe). In this paper, we first propose a novel method based on configuring uplink transmission in the macrocell in ABSs (UM-ABS) for eICIC to improve the efficiency of the ABS. Then, the UM-ABS and DUDe are formulated as an optimization problem of investigating the joint load balancing of downlink and uplink for eICIC in heterogeneous networks (HetNets) while considering different service classes. The problem is actually a mixed binary integer programming problem, which is difficult to solve. We provide a relaxed-rounding solution to the model. Numerical results illustrate that the proposed algorithm achieves superior performance in comparison to state-of-the-art methods in terms of system throughput and the rate gain for users. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper proposes a novel simple reactive power control strategy for the active load balancer (ALB) in three-phase four-wire distribution systems. The proposed reactive power control strategy may be applicable for adjustment of the source-side power factor under the balanced load condition. Only dc capacitor voltage control is used in the proposed control strategy. Therefore, the calculation blocks of the active and reactive components of the load currents are not necessary. The authors, thus, offer the simplest control strategy to control reactive power under the balanced load condition on three-phase four-wire distribution feeders. The basic principle of dc-capacitor-voltage-control-based reactive power control strategy is discussed in detail and then confirmed by digital computer simulation. A prototype experimental system was constructed and tested. Experimental results demonstrate that balanced source currents with reactive power control are achieved on three-phase four-wire distribution feeders. These experimental results also demonstrate that controlling the reactive power reduces the required power rating of the ALB compared with that of the conventional unity power factor control strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

To respond to volatility and congestion in the power grid, demand response (DR) mechanisms allow for shaping the load compared to a base load profile. When tapping on a large population of heterogeneous appliances as a DR resource, the challenge is in modeling the dimensions available for control. Such models need to strike the right balance between accuracy of the model and tractability. The goal of this paper is to provide a medium-grained stochastic hybrid model to represent a population of appliances that belong to two classes: deferrable or thermostatically controlled loads. We preserve quantized information regarding individual load constraints, while discarding information about the identity of appliance owners. The advantages of our proposed population model are 1) it allows us to model and control load in a scalable fashion, useful for ex-ante planning by an aggregator or for real-time load control; 2) it allows for the preservation of the privacy of end-use customers that own submetered or directly controlled appliances. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Neatly represented and properly classified load profiles are fundamental to many control optimization techniques of modern power systems, especially in a distribution area. This paper presents a novel load profile management software framework for boosting the efficiency of power systems operation. The proposed framework encodes and classifies load profiles in real-time. Imperfections as well as time-shifts in the input (measured power consumption levels) are tolerated by the suggested system, thus always providing accurate, fast and reliable output. The framework’s fully component based structure allows easy customizations of the encoding as well as the classification engines. The default encoding engine is based on an artificial neural network, a variant known as a deep learning auto-encoder comprised from stacked sparse auto-encoders. The default classifier engine is based on an implementation of a locality sensitive hashing algorithm. The developed methodology was tested on the real case of a set of anonymous customers supplied by a power distribution company. The paper also contains an elaboration about the experiences gained during the design, implementation and testing phase of this system as well as a detailed engineering use case of the framework’s applicability. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Distribution network designers use a transformer load-management system to estimate and examine the historical and current loads occurring on transformers and test proposed load situations. Due to a lack of measurements at the feeders and distribution transformers, the confidence on the transformer load-management reports was low in the past. Intelligent equipment and advanced information and communication technology are now being integrated into distribution networks at an unprecedented speed. The technology advancement provides an opportunity to enhance transformer load modeling and management. In this paper, a framework using synchronized measurements obtained from different information systems via a utility's enterprise service bus is proposed to calculate the actual load profiles of distribution transformers and reflect changing system conditions. Network analyses resulting from using improved system models based on distribution state estimation allow the system operators and designers to make informed decisions concerning where new loads can be added and when new transformer capacity must be included. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

DC microgrids are gaining popularity due to high efficiency, high reliability, and easy interconnection of renewable sources as compared to the ac system. Control objectives of dc microgrid are: 1) to ensure equal load sharing (in per unit) among sources; and 2) to maintain low-voltage regulation of the system. Conventional droop controllers are not effective in achieving both the aforementioned objectives simultaneously. Reasons for this are identified to be the error in nominal voltages and load distribution. Though centralized controller achieves these objectives, it requires high-speed communication and offers less reliability due to single point of failure. To address these limitations, this paper proposes a new decentralized controller for dc microgrid. Key advantages are high reliability, low-voltage regulation, and equal load sharing, utilizing low-bandwidth communication. To evaluate the dynamic performance, mathematical model of the scheme is derived. Stability of the system is evaluated by eigenvalue analysis. The effectiveness of the scheme is verified through a detailed simulation study. To confirm the viability of the scheme, experimental studies are carried out on a laboratory prototype developed for this purpose. Controller area network protocol is utilized to achieve communication between the sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces an approach to dc power delivery that reduces power loss by minimizing redundant energy conversion. Existing power distribution techniques tend to increase the number of cascaded conversion stages, which limits overall efficiency. Differential power processing enables independent load regulation, while processing only a small portion of the total load power. Bulk power conversion occurs once. Load voltage domains are connected in series, and differential converters act as controllable current sources to regulate intermediate nodes. This enables independent, low supply voltages, which can reduce system energy consumption, especially in digital circuits and solid-state lighting. Since differential voltage regulators process a fraction of the load power, decreased size, cost, and conversion losses are attainable. Under balanced load conditions, secondary differential converters do not process any power. This paper analyzes several differential power delivery architectures that can be applied to homogenous and heterogeneous loads at various levels: chip, board, blade, etc. A variety of operating conditions for a test system with four series voltage domains are examined in simulation and verified with experimental hardware. Results in a reference application show a 7–8% decrease in input power and 6–7 percentage points increase in overall conversion efficiency as compared to a conventional cascaded approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A differential-in differential-out error amplifier and a load regulation enhancement mechanism are proposed in the buck converter that aims to improve load regulation and noise immunity. By using the proportional compensator in the proposed converter, there is no need of external compensation components in this design. As a result, a compact-size and high-performance dc-dc buck converter can be guaranteed. Experimental results show that load regulation can be improved from 0.5 to 0.025 mV/mA. The test chip was fabricated by 0.25 μm CMOS process and occupied 1.65 mm active silicon area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]