Abstract: (Sponsored by PELS TC 4)
Next-generation power converters increasingly demand wide-range operation with bidirectional power flow, supporting both buck and boost modes for seamless integration of renewable energy sources and storage within electric drivetrains and the grid. This work explores the potential of monolithic bidirectional GaN devices to enable novel topologies that realize condensed buck-boost (CoBB) operation. By employing energy-dense capacitors as the primary energy processing element, rather than conventional inductor-based energy processing, the proposed class of CoBB converters achieves high power density without compromising efficiency. In this talk, we will highlight how monolithic bidirectional GaN unlocks new design possibilities, examine key architectural trade-offs, and present preliminary hardware and control results that validate the feasibility and performance of these converter architectures.
