Power Electronics for Renewable Energy

July 2012

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(c) 2012 AgileSwitch, LLC

Renewable Energy/High Efficiency Trends

Solar/PV installations to reach 24 GW, up from 19 GW in 2010. (IMS Research) Wind power installations will increase from 236 GW in 2011 to 563 GW in 2017. (Pike Research, 2011) 5 million cars manufactured in 2016 will be full HEV, plug-in HEV or EV. (Yole Dveloppement, 2011)

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(c) 2012 AgileSwitch, LLC

Renewable Energy/High Efficiency Applications Have Increased Cost and Performance Requirements For IGBTs

Decreased $/Watt Higher current and voltage requirements Faster switching speeds Increased heat sensitivity Higher efficiencies Reducing switching losses

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(c) 2012 AgileSwitch, LLC

AgileSwitch Gate Drivers Were Developed to Address These Requirements

AgileSwitch leverages high speed FET driver technology, advanced magnetics, and digital logic expertise to provide maximum switching performance and reliability for IGBTs.
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AgileSwitch Drivers Are Perfectly Matched for Industry Standard IGBTs

Designed from the ground up to Plug and Play with industry standard high power IGBT modules. Delivers more power than competitive gate driversonly plug and play solutions available for 450A and 600A Econodual. Component and software configurable. Industry standard components reduce lead times. Developed specifically for the following applications:
Solar/PV Inverters Motor Drives HEV/EV High Speed Trains Wind Turbines UPS/Storage Induction

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(c) 2012 AgileSwitch, LLC

Key Driver Benefits

Higher peak drive current capability, higher wattage ratings, higher voltage ratings, and superior dV/dT immunity. Lower idle power with efficient gate charge delivery to compliment the cleaner power switching of IGBTs. Advanced fault monitoring and control available:

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Digital Desaturation Detectionno more RC time constants Separate HI and LO Faults, All Faults UVLO Cross Latch/ Cross Over Temperature
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AgileSwitch Key Driver Features

Minimum On and Off periods Isolated DC/DC converter Regulated gate-emitter voltage Separate gate current paths (on/off) Power supply under-voltage lockout (Opt.) Reliable, long service life Up to 8 individual fault signals (Opt.) IGBT and ambient thermal fault detection (Opt.) Plug-and-play solution Interface for 3.3V, 5V or 15V logic levels +15V/-10V gate drive voltage Suitable for IGBTs up to 1700V IGBT short-circuit protection Easy mounting directly onto the IGBT Fault lockout functionality (Opt.) Monitor under voltage, overshoot, desaturation (Opt.)

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(c) 2012 AgileSwitch, LLC

Drivers can be Configured to Optimize the Application

Configurations based on component changes or CPLD Programming no need for custom PCBs Options may include:
Desaturation time Deadtime Fault outputs Soft turn-off time Gate resistance Connectors

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(c) 2012 AgileSwitch, LLC

AgileSwitch Product Line

Series Voltage Currents

EconoDualTM 1200V 1700V 225A 600A

PrimePACKTM 1200V 1700V 600A 1400A

HPM 1200V 1700V 800A 3600A

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(c) 2012 AgileSwitch, LLC

Master/Slave Options for Intelligent Paralleling

Master/Slave technology allows the gate drive signal to be split at the last possible location. This minimizes the propagation delay between different drivers enabling better performance and reliability. Lower cost Slave drivers permit significant system cost savings. The inductance of the cable is negligible due to the low current being pushed across it. (~0.5 A)

Slave Driver 2 (optional) Slave Driver 1

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Master Driver
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Why AgileSwitch?
Drivers are complex and challenging to develop
Its what we do

We tailor the driver for the application

Optimize for switching speed and efficiency Monitor and control fault conditions Match connectors to your application

improve IGBT system qualification and performance

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Standard Plug and Play for immediate use Designed from the ground up for easy optimization Shipped with customer specific gate resistors Short lead times Produced in the USA
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How to Get Started

The following key questions help us get started:
1. Model numbers of IGBTs in use or considered? 2. Operating frequency (kHz) Maximum and nominal? 3. Post Header Connector requirement Fiber or electrical, and preference? 4. Interface I/O signal voltages? 5. Are the IGBT being driven in parallel? If so, how many? (2 or 3?) 6. DC-Link Inductance level? 7. Any industry specific requirements? 8. Estimated annual usage?
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Data Sheet, Spec Sheet and Intake are On-Line

Data Sheet and Spec Sheets can be found on the Products page: http://www.agileswitch.com/products.page Intake Form can be found on the Contact US page at: http://www.agileswitch.com/Contact-us.page

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How to Reach Us

info@AgileSwitch.com 484-483-3256

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