Automotive Electrification at Analog Devices, Inc.
This presentation explores the design and implementation of a bidirectional 11 kW CLLC resonant converter tailored for automotive applications such as on-board charging with vehicle-to-load (V2L), and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) functionalities. The converter leverages Smart SiC Switches to enhance system-level safety, fault resilience, and thermal monitoring, making it well-suited for high-frequency, high-efficiency power conversion environments.
The rationale behind this work is to address the growing demand for robust and efficient power electronics in electric vehicles, where bidirectional energy flow and compact, reliable designs are essential. Smart SiC Switches offer integrated protection features—including overcurrent and overtemperature safeguards and real-time temperature sensing—that simplify fault detection and improve system reliability. These features are particularly valuable in resonant topologies, where peak currents and switching losses can significantly impact performance.
The presentation will walk through the design methodology, starting with resonant tank optimization and gain curve analysis using simulation tools. It will demonstrate how the gain profile was tuned to support both forward and reverse power flow, and how firmware was used to implement the control. A state machine was developed to manage operational transitions and fault conditions, ensuring safe and predictable converter behavior.
Simulation and experimental results will be shared to validate the converter’s performance, including waveform analysis and gain curve behavior under real-world operating conditions. The talk aims to provide attendees with practical insights into designing high-frequency resonant converters using Smart SiC Switches, with a focus on achieving industry-grade reliability and efficiency.
