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For switched mode power converters, boundary conduction mode (BCM) operation is an attractive alternative to improve the bandwidth, overall size, and efficiency. In this article, a sensorless ripple current mode (SRCM) controller is proposed to achieve inductor-deviation-tolerant BCM operation for boost converter. Compared to conventional approaches with current sensing or ZCD, the proposed controller relies on a digital algorithm to ensure consistent BCM operation. The algorithm calculates on/off durations of the main switch so that the inductor current valley value converges to zero. The convergence process is proved by a damped current model with considerations of parasitics and output voltage ripple. Since the convergence is not related to the inductor value, the SRCM controller achieves inductor-deviation-tolerant BCM operation. Furthermore, to improve the power efficiency, an optimal transition condition and a compensation time are adopted to achieve valley switching (VS). Finally, both consistent BCM operation and VS are achieved by the proposed control strategy. Simulations and experimental results prove that the controller effectively improves the closed-loop stability, the robustness to inductor deviation, and the power efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To probe the causal importance of the human posteromedial cortex (PMC) in processing the sense of self, we studied a rare cohort of nine patients with electrodes implanted bilaterally in the precuneus, posterior cingulate, and retrosplenial regions with a combination of neuroimaging, intracranial recordings, and direct cortical stimulations. In all participants, the stimulation of specific sites within the anterior precuneus (aPCu) caused dissociative changes in physical and spatial domains. Using single-pulse electrical stimulations and neuroimaging, we present effective and resting-state connectivity of aPCu hot zone with the rest of the brain and show that they are located outside the boundaries of the default mode network (DMN) but connected reciprocally with it. We propose that the function of this subregion of the PMC is integral to a range of cognitive processes that require the self's physical point of reference, given its location within a spatial environment. [Display omitted] • We studied anterior precuneus (aPCu) with fMRI, intracranial EEG, and electrical stimulations • Stimulation of aPCu caused distortions in core body schema and self-dissociation • Responsive aPCu sites were not part of, but were connected with, a default mode network • We present a brain-wide map of structures that are causally connected with the aPCu Lyu et al. studied the human posteromedial cortex using a combination of fMRI, intracranial EEG, and direct cortical stimulations. They argue that the anterior PMC is important for the sense of physical self, the distortion of which causes self-dissociation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a linearized discrete charge balance (LDCB) control strategy is proposed for buck converter operating in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). For DC-DC power converters, discrete charge balance (DCB) control is an attractive approach to improve the output voltage transient response. However, as a non-linear control strategy, the algorithm is complex, which is difficult for implementation. To reduce the complexity, this paper proposes the LDCB control strategy that is derived through linearizing conventional DCB controller. By deriving the differential functions of the DCB control algorithm, the small signal relationship between the input and output of DCB controller is explored. Furthermore, based on the relationship, the LDCB controller is formed through three parallel feed loops to the duty ratio. As a linear control approach, the achieved LDCB controller is greatly simplified for implementation. This not only saves the hardware cost, but also reduces the calculation lag, which provides potential to improve the switching frequency. Besides, since the LDCB controller shares the same small signal model as that of DCB controller, it achieves similar control loop bandwidth and transient performance. Effectiveness of the proposed LDCB control is verified by zero/pole plots, transient analyses and experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates modeling and control approaches to optimize the efficiency and power factor for discontinuous conduction mode boost power factor correction converters. First, with detailed consideration of parasitics and GaN HEMT transients, the input and output charges of the converter are exactly derived, where the rate forms the comprehensive charge rate (CCR) model. Second, based on the CCR model, the overall efficiency is derived. Since the overall efficiency is only related to the input voltage, output voltage, and switching on-time, an optimal on-time is calculated to achieve the maximum efficiency. Furthermore, with the optimal on-time, a maximum efficiency average current (MEAC) controller is proposed to regulate the input current while maintaining the maximum efficiency. With the predefined optimal on-time, a switching cycle modulation method is adopted to regulate the input current as sinusoid, which improves the power factor to unity. Finally, effectiveness of the MEAC control strategy is verified by simulations and experiments. Compared with conventional constant on-time control, it achieves an optimized efficiency and power factor over a large operation range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital peak current mode (DPCM) control is widely used for dc–dc converters operating in continuous current mode. However, current tracking delay (CTD) in the system is normally neglected in the modeling stage, which leads to poor compensator design and degraded performance. This paper investigates CTD effect in boost converter with different DPCM controls. Based on dynamic relationship between the reference current and actual inductor current, the CTD transfer functions are derived, which improves the accuracy of small signal model. Since CTD degrades the phase margin of the system, equivalent migration of right half plane zero is proposed to model CTD effect. This method is very simple and straightforward, which facilitates the compensator design. Furthermore, two novel DPCM control strategies with minimized CTD are proposed, and they are based on duty cycle restriction and duty cycle extension, respectively. Both controls greatly reduce the CTD effect and improve the response speed. Besides, the duty cycle extension benefits from an extended pulsewidth modulation (ExPWM). This optimizes the calculation algorithm and speed, while improving the time margin for digital calculations. Combined with the proposed models and controls, the CTD effect is greatly reduced. The effectiveness is verified through detailed simulations and experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reveals parasitics-induced current distortion (PCD) effect in discontinuous conduction mode boost power factor (PF) correction (PFC) converter. With consideration of parasitics, accurate inductor current is derived through total differential functions of line voltage, output voltage and duty cycle. Furthermore, the proposed current model is used to analyze PFC converter under conventional sensorless average current mode (SACM) control, which is achieved by a variable duty cycle. It is found that parasitics have considerable influence to the input current, and PCD leads to a degraded PF. In order to solve this issue, a current reshaping strategy is proposed to reduce the PCD phenomenon. Based on the damped current equations, a compensation gain is derived to reshape the input current, which reduces the current damping and distortion caused by parasitics. Both the PCD phenomenon and the current reshaping strategy are verified by simulations and experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We achieve low-temperature Cu-to-Cu direct bonding using highly (111)-orientated Cu films. The bonding temperature can be lowered to 200°C at a stress of 114psi for 30min at 10−3 torr. The temperature is lower than the reflow temperature of 250°C for Pb-free solders. Our breakthrough is based on the finding that the Cu (111) surface diffusivity is the fastest among all the planes of Cu and the bonding process can occur through surface diffusion creep on the (111) surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct Cu-to-Cu bonding was achieved at temperatures of 150-250 °C using a compressive stress of 100 psi (0.69 MPa) held for 10-60 min at 10−3 torr. The key controlling parameter for direct bonding is rapid surface diffusion on (111) surface of Cu. Instead of using (111) oriented single crystal of Cu, oriented (111) texture of extremely high degree, exceeding 90%, was fabricated using the oriented nano-twin Cu. The bonded interface between two (111) surfaces forms a twist-type grain boundary. If the grain boundary has a low angle, it has a hexagonal network of screw dislocations. Such network image was obtained by plan-view transmission electron microscopy. A simple kinetic model of surface creep is presented; and the calculated and measured time of bonding is in reasonable agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]