Real-time and High-speed Talkative Power Converter Based on High-frequency Harmonic Modulation

An efficient isolated DC-DC converter requires an information link between the isolated sides for power regulation and performance optimization. Talkative power converter (TPC) technology offers a cost-effective communication solution. However, the signal in existing technologies is susceptible to power noise. Consequently, the existing TPC method requires several switching cycles to transmit a single signal, and the data rate is constrained by noise, making it challenging to meet the demands of advanced communication. In this paper, a faster TPC method is proposed, using M-ary modulation based on amplitude shift keying (ASK). The nature of the magnetic tank- consisting of an inductor and the transformer- is similar to the traditional resonant circuit, which is used to select signal frequency. It enables the signal to transmit by a frequency far above the switching frequency, thus improving the anti-noise ability. Compared to traditional communication methods, this approach eliminates the additional multipliers, enhancing integration and offering valuable insights for digital signal modulation. Thanks to the high signal strength and anti-noise ability, information transmission and demodulation can be completed within a single cycle. This method achieves the highest per-cycle transmission rate among state-of-the-art TPC techniques. The proposed method is validated on a 30 kHz, 1 kW, 200V dual-active-bridge prototype, achieving a record bit rate per switching cycle to date (3 bits/cycle) and a bit rate of 90 kbps.