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This paper presents a novel ac–dc power factor correction (PFC) power conversion architecture for a 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 the elimination of electrolytic capacitors. While this architecture can be beneficial with a variety of converter topologies, it is especially suited for the 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 120 V\mathrmac , and supplying a 35 V\mathrm{dc} output at up to 30 W. The prototype converter achieves high efficiency (92%) and power factor (0.89), and maintains a good performance over a wide load range. Owing to the architecture and HF operation, the prototype achieves a high “box” power density of 50 W/in$^3$ (“displacement” power density of 130 W/in$^3$ ), with miniaturized inductors, ceramic energy buffer capacitors, and a small-volume EMI filter. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The PowerChip research program is developing technologies to radically improve the size, integration, and performance of power electronics operating at up to grid-scale voltages (e.g., up to 200 V) and low-to-moderate power levels (e.g., up to 50 W) and demonstrating the technologies in a high-efficiency light-emitting diode driver, as an example application. This paper presents an overview of the program and of the progress toward meeting the program goals. Key program aspects and progress in advanced nitride power devices and device reliability, integrated high-frequency magnetics and magnetic materials, and high-frequency converter architectures are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]