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This paper presents a novel ac-dc power factor correction (PFC) power conversion architecture for single-phase grid interface. The proposed architecture has significant advantages for achieving high efficiency, good power factor, and converter miniaturization, especially in low-to-medium power applications. The architecture enables twice-line-frequency energy to be buffered at high voltage with a large voltage swing, enabling reduction in the energy buffer capacitor size, and elimination of electrolytic capacitors. While this architecture can be beneficial with a variety of converter topologies, it is especially suited for system miniaturization by enabling designs that operate at high frequency (HF, 3 – 30 MHz). Moreover, we introduce circuit implementations that provide efficient operation in this range. The proposed approach is demonstrated for an LED driver converter operating at a (variable) HF switching frequency (3 – 10 MHz) from 120Vac, and supplying a 35Vdc output at up to 30W. The prototype converter achieves high efficiency (92%) and power factor (0.89), and maintains good performance over a wide load range. Owing to architecture and HF operation, the prototype achieves a high ‘box’ power density of 50W/ in3 (‘displacement’ power density of 130W/ in3), with miniaturized inductors, ceramic energy buffer capacitors, and a small-volume EMI filter., United States. Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy. Agile Delivery of Electrical Power Technology, Texas Instruments Incorporated

This paper presents a new isolated ac-dc power converter achieving both high power factor and converter miniaturization suitable for many low power ac-dc applications. The proposed ac-dc converter architecture comprises a line-frequency rectifier, a stack of capacitors, a set of regulating converters, and a multi-input isolated bus converter. Among many suitable circuit implementations, the prototype system utilizes the resonant-transition buck converter as a regulating converter, and the capacitively-aided isolated bus converter for the isolated bus converter. The converter is miniaturized by operating at high frequency (1–10 MHz range), and it buffers the ac-line frequency energy with a pair of stacked ceramic capacitors (1 μΕ and 150 μΕ, 100 V rating) without a requirement for electrolytic capacitors. The prototype converter is implemented to operate from 120 Vac to 12 V, and up to 50 W output as an example isolated ac-dc converter for power supply applications. The prototype converter demonstrates with 88 % efficiency and 0.86 power factor, and provides 50 W/in3 power density, which is five times higher than the power density of typical conventional designs., Texas Instruments Incorporated

The design of power magnetic components for operation at high frequency (HF, 3–30MHz) has been hindered by a lack of performance data and by the limited design theory in that frequency range. To address these deficiencies, we have measured and present core loss data for a variety of commercially available magnetic materials in the HF range. In addition, we extend the theory of performance factor for appropriate use in HF design. Since magnetic materials suitable for HF applications tend to have low permeability, we also consider the impact of low permeability on design. We conclude that, with appropriate material selection and design, increased frequencies can continue to yield improved power density well into the HF regime., MIT Energy Initiative (Lockheed Martin), Texas Instruments Incorporated