Issue link: https://resources.randsim.com/i/1512034
2 Electrical Drive Modeling through a Multiphysics System Simulation Approach // Drives are used in a wide range of applications in the industry: food blenders, fans, pumps, mills, oil drilling platforms, mining, compressors, HVAC systems, industrial equipment, traction motors for cars, railway applications and more. / System Approach Electric drive technology has advanced significantly over the past few decades, reducing cost and size of as well as improving effciency and performance through better semiconductor technology, topologies optimization, control technology and software. In designing next-generation drives, the challenge is to handle and study complex multiphysics issues. Electrical optimization, thermal management, fatigue, and software–hardware interaction must be considered in a global view. A system simulation approach is required so designers can accomplish such challenges and solve issues in the early stages of the development cycle. One tool is Ansys Simplorer, multi-domain system simulation software with multiphysics modeling capabilities. It integrates multiple modeling technologies such as block diagrams, state machine, language (C++, VHDLAMS, SML, PSPICE) modeling, electronics circuit and coupling capability with 2-D/3-D Ansys simulation tools. / Semiconductor Modeling Semiconductors are used as electrical switching devices in power electronics applications. This technology has advanced greatly in past years, with design of new gates, bulks and internal topologies as well as wide-gap material- based devices. To correctly model semiconductors, Ansys Simplorer offers a characterization tool that enables building IGBT (and other devices) f rom manufacturer datasheets or measurement data, no matter the semiconductor technology used. Three types of IGBT models are available: average, basic dynamic and advanced dynamic. Depending on the type of simulation and electrical focus, a designer can choose the system electrothermal model (average), dynamic accurate models for EMC/EMI study, and gate-drive optimization (basic dynamic and advanced dynamic models). Figure 2 shows an example: the average type IGBT model. Through the characterization tool's wizard, the different data and electrical curves are needed to build a model. Simplorer then creates a compact model according to the electrical characteristics selected. / Cooling Device In power electronics, thermal management is a key element for good design. Heat dissipation is critical in semiconductors; the operating junction temperature must be controlled both to avoid electrothermal failures and to enhance reliability of the whole power inverter. Many types of cooling systems exist. As an example, one commonly used in railway applications is the cold-plate liquid cooling system. There are several cold-plate designs, and they usually use channels for water flow. The cooling plate in this example includes a hollowed aluminum block with a glycol solution (Figure 3). Consideration must be given to the different interfaces between the chip and cooling system. Classical stacking incorporates solders, metallization, ceramic substrate, a base plate for mechanical consideration and a thermal interface. Figure 2. Simplorer semiconductor characterization tool model building from a manufacturer datasheet.