Toward Intelligent PMAD Systems

Research studies are being conducted to develop a completely digital approach to DC-DC power converter control. These digitally controlled “smart” converters will serve as building blocks for intelligent PMAD systems. The “intelligence” objective is focused on PMAD/converter reliability, fault-tolerance, health monitoring, and improved system performance and stability. This paper will discuss three major development objectives already accomplished by CSU under a NASA-GRC grant. They include: 1) converter dynamic model development, 2) design of a DSP-based converter digital control development station, and 3) experimental performance results comparing converter linear and nonlinear digital control strategies. The paper also includes a description of the continuing work underway to further develop the technology needed to achieve “intelligent” PMAD systems.