Use of spread spectrum time domain reflectometry to estimate state of health of power converters

A new online measurement and analysis method has been presented in this paper to identify the state of health of power converter circuits. Using spread spectrum time domain reflectometry (SSTDR), impedance in the various current paths inside the converter as well as any fault can be identified without interrupting the circuit's normal operation. Multiple sets of test data have been generated while the SSTDR process is applied to each of the components i.e. the power MOSFETs, the dc bus capacitor and the load. These obtained test data are analyzed to show how these test results are consistent with the impedances in various current paths. An impedance matrix was formed for a non-aged converter and a corresponding matrix using SSTDR data was formed as well. The matrices could be formed for any power converter, and the impedance matrix for the non-aged converter could be considered as a "Reference matrix" for comparison purpose. By comparing these two matrices, the variation in path impedances due to aging could be determined. This research aims to identify the measurable quantities to characterize the aging process, their origins of these quantities and propose convenient methods to measure them.