Method for Optimizing the Design and Selection of Active and Passive Components for a Totem Pole PFC Converter

Abstract

Wide bandgap (WBG) devices are expected to bring higher efficiency and power density in power converters compared to silicon devices. The introduction of WBG devices often leads to significant changes in a converter optimization and trade-offs such as the selection of the optimal switching frequency, leading to the selection of new values for passive components, cooling and filtering needs. Ultimately it may lead to costs reduction. In this study, a global design and modeling technique is applied with the objective to take into account all design parameters together. For a given transistor, the algorithm iterates over the switching frequency and proposes values for the EMC filter, PFC inductor, DC link capacitor tank, and heatsink requirements. The algorithm also estimates efficiency, based on components models and datasheet. The given use case is a totem-pole AC/DC 230Vrms/400Vdc power factor correction (PFC) topology of 800W. The paper outlines the best dimensioning configurations based on efficiency and system mass. Experimental results validate main outcome from this work.