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Exxelia introduces the CCM family at ESA / SPCD 2022

Magnetic components for space applications, optimized for multi output Flyback transformers

SUMMARY

  • Introduction : evolution of magnetic components in space

Definition – How to satisfy it?

  • Part 1 : Family qualification by ESA/CNES

Why choose Technology Flow over QPL products?

Qualification steps.

  • Part 2 : Performance characterization of CCM technology

Thermal behavior.

Frequency response and Current saturation (standard CCM inductors).

  • Part 3 : Optimization for multi output Flyback transformers

The cross regulation problem or voltage deviations on some outputs.

PhD thesis definition – Different stages of work – Present and future results.

  • Conclusion

Components that meet present and future customer needs

 

WHAT IS A CCM?

 

CCM family : INTRODUCTION

 

What are the new technical needs and constraints for specific transformers?

 

First : Applications with more outputs.

Need for more In/Out pins.

More different voltages and power levels.

 

Second : Increase in the power to volume and power to weight ratios.

We can no longer take large safety margins.

  →  need to know all the technical limitations of the product.

Reliability, internal heating, frequency response, current saturation.

 

Third : Development time is getting shorter

Breadboards/Prototypes must work the first time  →  design method must be accurate.

Even specific products must avoid qualification time.

  →  have to be already qualified before BreadBoard/Prototype step.

 

Part 1 : ESA qualification 

 

 

  • CCM family : What is this, and what is it for?

1 technology for 5 shapes

Ferrite circuit around windings wound in a bobbin, cabled on a leadframe and moulded.

For both standard and custom components

Different types of functions : inductors (DMC, CMC), pulse/SMPS/measurement transformers

  →  QPL qualification not adapted  Technology Flow is better

 

  • What is a Technology Flow?

Exxelia must prove that CCM technology is space compliant.

1st step Evaluation (Exxelia), 2d step Qualification (ESA/CNES).

Exxelia has to define : bill of materials / manufacturing process / design rules and list of tests to be performed.

 

Bill of materials

3 key raw materials : Bobbin, leadframe and magnetic circuit.

Other materials : wires, solid insulation, glue/resin/varnish, weld, ink, package.

 

Manufacturing process

3 key steps : winding, cabling, moulding.

Other steps : gluing, assembling, marking, testing, packaging.

 

Design rules

All theoretic actions the designer has to do upstream to prevent surprises downstream.

 

Test campaigns

All those in Charts F4 SG1, SG2 and SG3.

Thermal shocks, Temperature rise, Overload, Soldering heat, Vibrations, Mechanical shocks Operating life, Permanence of marking, Solderability, Terminal strength, Dielectric, Moisture.

 

  • Summary of work carried out

- More than 100 components designed, manufactured, and tested

  many configurations of  functions / shapes / tests.

- Some components destroyed to identify security margins

  on thermal, mechanical, dielectric aspects.

- Evaluation took several years to complete

 Result :  Qualification was successful on first try.

 

  • Conclusion

Respecting BOM, process and design rules qualified  ... Exxelia has the right to offer any function in CCM shapes without any mandatory testing for customer.

 

Part 2 : CCM technology performances

 

 

  • Security margins must be reduced

Maximum permissible loss value  →  leads to internal heating (Tmax <  125 °C).

Maximum operating frequency  →  above resonant frequency component is no more inductive.

Saturation curve  →  which inductor value at which excitation current?

 

  • How can these characteristics be determined ?

We decided to carry out 3 experimental campaigns :

  1. Thermal resistance determination for each of 5 shapes.
  2. Inductance versus frequency curves for standard inductors.
  3. Inductance versus current curves for standard inductors.

 

  • Thermal resistance Rth of CCM4, CCM5, CCM6, CCM20 and CCM25

  • Definition of test conditions

Use of inductors with one winding connected to all pins one side.

 

Measurements in vacuum are very complex.

  →  in natural convection in the air first.

Copper losses (heating source) only.

  →  DC current excitation / measurement of Rwind.

Component on PCB / all pins soldered  / no glue / no copper except for large current paths.

Component in a (pierced) box inside a ventilated oven  / temperature controlled.

 

  • Measurement bench

Measurements realised for each of 5 shapes.

2 L values  /  5 Tenv : 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150°C  / up to 15 meas. points for each Tenv.

 

  • Complements and further work

Results applied for all CCM components  /  We have a math model air convection → vacuum.

3D simulations in progress to validate these curves  …  1st results are promising.

Measurements in vacuum are planned.

 

  • Frequency behavior for CCM4, CCM5, CCM6, CCM20 and CCM25 standard inductors

 

  • Definition of test conditions

Use of inductors with one winding connected to all pins one side.

Constant excitation, between 100µT and 1mT.

Components soldered on a brass plate.

RLC meter calibrated after 1 hour functioning.

 

Measurement device

 

  • Measurements realised for each of 5 shapes

2 L values  / up to 15 meas. points for each inductor value.

 

 

  • Result overview
    • Majority of inductors are usable at least up to 1MHz.
    • All of inductors are usable at least up to 400kHz.

 

  • Saturation behavior for CCM4, CCM5, CCM6, CCM20 and CCM25 standard inductors

 

  • Definition of test conditions

Use of inductors with one winding connected to all pins one side.

0,5 phase shift full bridge DC supply.

DC+AC (300kHz) excitation with duty cycle > 0,5.

ΔI constant as long as no saturation.

Period nb controlled to achieve desired DC current.

L value measured with current rise slope.

 

  • Measurements realised for each of 5 shapes

2 L values  / 2 Tenv, ambiant and 125°C / up to 15 meas. points for each Tenv.

2 types of curves L function of Idc or Imax (Idc+ΔI/2).

 

  • Result overview

Big ≠ between 25 and 125 °C : taking account of thermal behavior of ferrite is mandatory.

Main interest : to detect the beginning of saturation.

 

Part 3 : multi Flyback optimization

 

 

  • What are voltage deviations also named cross regulation problem ?
  1. At nominal point of load, some output voltages are different from theoretical values.
  2. If power level at regulated output varies, some non-regulated output voltages values vary.
  3. Current waveform on some auxiliary outputs is very different from theoretical triangle shape.

 

  • Observation :

The more different output / voltage levels / power levels …

The greater the probability to have voltage deviations.

Actual solution : linear regulators.

  →  more volume/weight, less efficiency, more heating.

 

  • Charge :  Transformer is mostly responsible

Problem seriousness depends on application and even on piece inside a manufacturing batch.

Magnetic root cause (transformer), but power electronics consequence (converter).

  →  need to work in both electromagnetism and power electronics.

 

  • Exxelia decided to manage a PhD thesis on this subject

Aims :

  1. Understand scientific problem, Identify root causes (transformer, other components?),
  2. Find solutions, Take account of voltage deviations in design and manufacturing process

Partners : G2Elab laboratory, D. Motte Michellon student, CNES, Steel Electronique

 

  • PhD step 1 : Understanding the scientific problem, identify root causes

Study of magnetic behavior of several transformers

  →  use of FLUX finite element simulation software

Identification of a circuit model compliant with several softwares (Psim, Spice, other)

  →  extended Cantilever magnetostatic model

Calculation of all output voltages for different transformers/converters

  →  use of Psim circuit software

 

  • Result of analysis :
  •  3/4 problem comes from transformer : magnetic coupling between all secondaries
  •  1/4 problem comes from drawbacks of some other components of converter

 

  • Actions :
  1.   Creating an analytic model to take account of leakage inductances between secondaries,
  2.   Use this model to quick calculate all output voltages.

 

  • PhD step 2 :  Finding theoretical and industrial solutions

We identified relationship between   CCM winding process, couplings between secondaries and voltage deviations.

We identified which other components and which drawbacks are concerned.

For the moment, one method of winding CCM to avoid worst cases of voltage deviations and to minimize variations from one piece to another applied since 01/01/2022 for all designed Flyback in CCM.

In progress, a software to optimize (minimize) voltage deviations and to identify best cases of CCM winding processes.

    →  Increase of know-how for customer benefit.

 

CCM family : CONCLUSION

 

 

  • Whatever the function you need

Component is already qualified  →  Reliability and security.

Many pins  ==  many input/output possibilities.

You know its thermal behavior  →  have a good idea of its energy/power limit.

 

  • For inductor applications

You can have standard or custom components.

You know frequency and current responses.

 

  • For multi output Flyback transformers

Design method focused on :

  1. meeting customer’s need as close as possible,
  2. volume and weight reductions.

 

Understanding voltage deviations  =  problem minimization + ability to assist customer.

 

                                                                CCM technology is well adapted for space   …  and we continue to improve it.

 

 

 

Autor : Bruno COGITORE  –  Jean PIERRE

Magnetic Expert / Innovation  –  Space product Manager  •  Exxelia Magnetics

 

Publié le 05 Oct 2021 par Stephane PERES

Exxelia expose à Electronica China - Stand E5 5580 -

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Exxelia rejoint le groupe Heico Corporation

La transaction sera réalisée auprès d&#39;IK Partners, actionnaire majoritaire d’Exxelia depuis 2015, et devrait intervenir avant la fin du premier trimestre 2023.   Laurans A. Mendelson, président et chef de la direction d&#39;HEICO, ainsi que Victor H. Mendelson, coprésident et chef de la direction d&#39;HEICO ont déclaré : "Nous sommes ravis qu&#39;une si belle entreprise, avec ses remarquables membres d&#39;équipe, sa direction et produits, feront partie de HEICO, et nous sommes impatients d&#39;accueillir toutes les personnes formidables d&#39;Exxelia dans la famille HEICO. Tout en poursuivant la stratégie de HEICO consistant à élargir notre large gamme de composants et Hi-Rel pour les applications les plus exigeantes. Exxelia fournit également à HEICO une grande diversité géographique, y compris sur l&#39;important marché Européen."   Paul Maisonnier, PDG d&#39;Exxelia, a déclaré : "Nous sommes ravis de nous lancer dans une nouvelle étape de développement avec HEICO. Nous apprécions vraiment les valeurs de la famille Mendelson, qui correspondent parfaitement à celles d&#39;Exxelia. Notre objectif de faire d&#39;Exxelia un leader mondial dans les composants et sous-systèmes passifs Hi-Rel pour environnements difficiles, tels que les marchés de l&#39;aéronautique, de la défense, de l&#39;espace et du médical, sera accélérée sous l&#39;égide de HEICO. Ensemble, nous renforcerons nos capacités d&#39;innovation et opérationnelles et accélérerons notre stratégie d&#39;internationalisation. Nous remercions IK Partners pour leur soutien au cours des dernières années, qui nous a permis d&#39;établir une plateforme de confiance pour soutenir nos ambitions de croissance mondiale."   Dan Soudry, Managing Partner chez IK Partners et Advisor du fonds IK VII, et Diki Korniloff, Partner chez IK Partners, ont ajouté : "En tant qu&#39;actionnaires d&#39;Exxelia depuis 2015, nous sommes très heureux d&#39;avoir pu accompagner sa très talentueuse équipe de direction à travers les différentes étapes de transformation, de structuration et de croissance de l&#39;entreprise, doublant son effectif à plus de 2 100 personnes et entraînant une forte augmentation des investissements en R&D et de son empreinte industrielle. Nous pensons notamment que HEICO est un excellent foyer pour Exxelia étant donné qu&#39;ils partagent des valeurs communes et nous sommes très heureux que HEICO acquière Exxelia. Nous aimerions profiter de cette occasion pour souhaiter à l&#39;équipe et à HEICO tout le meilleur pour l&#39;avenir."     A propos de HEICO HEICO Corporation est principalement engagée dans la conception, la production, l&#39;entretien et la distribution de produits et services sur certains segments de niche des domaines de l&#39;aérospatial, de la défense, de la médecine, des télécommunications et de l&#39;électronique. Les clients de HEICO comprennent la majorité des compagnies aériennes ainsi que de nombreux sous-traitants de la défense et de l&#39;espace, mais aussi des agences militaires du monde entier, en plus des fabricants d&#39;équipements médicaux, de télécommunications et électroniques.    Pour plus d&#39;informations sur HEICO, veuillez visiter le site Web : www.heico.com.  
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