FPGA-based Hybrid Simulator for Real-Time 3-D Temperature Monitoring of Power Converters

This paper introduces an FPGA-based hybrid simulator for real-time 3-D temperature monitoring, designed as a methodology for creating digital twins of power converters. Based on the Finite-Difference Time-Domain method, derived from the physical layout, the software constructs a precise thermal digital replica with an error margin of less than 7 K. The FPGA solver accelerates the thermal simulations 50 to 200 times, providing the complete transient temperature in real-time and faster-than-real-time. A novel designed meshing technique reduces computational demands and enhances modelling flexibility. The simulator’s fidelity and broad applicability are validated by monitoring the dynamic behaviour of transistors and thermal analysis of a complex three-phase LLC converter. The results illustrate the feasibility of the simulator for real time health management of power converters.