Project description
Creating DC-to-DC converters with fault-tolerant operation
DC-to-DC converters are used to increase or decrease the voltage level, based on an electronic circuit switching technology. Their purpose is to produce voltage that is regulated and consistent from sources that are fluctuating or not constant. These converters reduce switching noise and are employed as key components in data centres, aerospace and electrical distribution to guarantee control and system efficiency. Currently, fault-tolerant operations are typically achieved via costly redundancy. The EU-funded U-HEART project aims to obtain fault-tolerant operation of isolated DC-to-DC converters without redundancy based on a patented multi-winding transformer, which can prevent failure via the reconfiguration of the system.
Objective
Isolated dc/dc converters are increasingly employed as key components in data center, aerospace and electrical distribution, because of their capability to guarantee controllability and improve system efficiency despite power electronics is still more prone to failure with respect to other components of such systems. Fault-tolerant operation, when needed, is typically achieved through redundancy, which entails higher costs. The goal of U-HEART is to obtain fault-tolerant operation of the isolated dc/dc converter avoiding redundancy. This will lead to larger acceptance in industry, typically very skeptical when it comes to higher costs. In 2017 we have applied for a patent covering isolated dc/dc converters based on a multi-winding transformer, which can ride-through failures by means of the reconfigurability of the system and of the self-healing capacity of the cells. The hardware is reconfigurable because a part of the magnetic core with the associated winding and associated power module can be removed and self-healing because in case of a failure, the healthy part of the system realizes a different power converter function. The software will guarantee that the resulting dc/dc converter will be able to operate with one cell less or with its reconfigured version. The goal is that after a failure the overall system maintains the original functionality.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences software
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics semiconductivity
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics microelectronics
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
ERC-POC - Proof of Concept Grant
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2018-PoC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
24118 Kiel
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.