Subject matter and main program

The Department performs interdisciplinary R&D activity in the area of power electronics, first of all, regarding the macro- and microelectronics, the control aspects of energy converters operating in different application fields. The activity includes both the theoretical- (e.g. published papers) and development work, in several cases, up to starting the series production of developed equipment.

 In the majority of power electronic systems the speed of processes is of higher orders than that of traditional electric systems or electro-mechanic energy converters, furthermore, the signal forms are distorted and differ significantly from the well-known sinusoidal waveforms. Besides, the operating frequency ranges, compared to the 50 Hz frequency, are of higher orders, they may be in the range of 10-100 kHz. The above situation is further complicated by the technical trends on the field of newer and newer macro- (IGBT, MOSFET, MCT) and microelectronic elements (target-IC, DSP, Fuzzy processor, one-chip computer, etc.). They increase the operating frequency as well. Due to the above, the problem spheres of RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) and EMC (Electro Magnetic Compatibility) are more problematic that that of the traditional electric systems. All the above results in partly having less and less time for digital signal processing, partly executing more and more complicated algorithms (adaptive control systems, fuzzy logic tasks, different control strategies base on the principle of neural network, etc.) within a shorter and shorter period.

 In the last one- and one and half decade the activity of the Department turned to the R&D work of equipment using the heat effect of electric arc. Its fundamental cause has been partly the general decrease of home market, partly the significant decrease of the financial support for research. In addition to all this, different welding procedures for material joining and plasma cutting for material separation, material testing by industrial X-ray equipment belong to this field. Network-friendly qualities developed for the equipment have had special significance, as well. A new and interesting topic is the LVDC (Low Voltage Direct Current) electric energy distribution in the public utility network.