Power Transistor Gate Switching: Persons skilled in the relevant arts will appreciate that, in addition to changing the open/closed states of contactors 350 (SW1, . . . SW9, SW14 . . . SW16), different operational conversion modes CM.n 392 may also entail variations in the on/off switching patterns (or switching timings) for the gates G of the four high current switching elements (HC-PSs) 325. The switching patterns may be controlled by a programmable microcontroller 327 of the A-PS 300, or by a microcontroller 227 of the A-PEBB LRU 200.A.
Voltage Source Conversion Vs. Current Source Conversion Modes
For the exemplary adaptable power stage (A-PS) 300, and as will be apparent from figures and discussion above, modes CM1 through CM5 are all voltage source conversion (VSC) modes, where inductor L2 is not active (no-current flowing through), and where An/Bn are employed as a voltage source. Mode CM6 provides for current source conversion with a current source at An and Bn; current entering at An/Bn goes through inductor L2 (SW 14 and SW1 are closed, SW15 is open), while inductor L1 is not active (SW3 and SW16 are open, SW4 and SW6, SW5 and SW7 are closed).
Legacy power stage technologies provide for one of VSC or CSC. The present system and method provides for an adaptable power stage 300 which support both VSC and CSC operations (though only one at a time), configurably.