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The inherent switching of power devices in a switch mode power supply generates electromagnetic interference (EMI) noise. This noise is dependent on several factors such as component layout, circuit parasitics, and the control techniques implemented. Several methods have been reported in literature to mitigate the EMI problem. However, until now, a metric to characterize and compare the EMI spectra of power converters is not available in literature. This paper proposes a simple metric to measure and characterize the EMI spectrum of power converters. The proposed technique is based upon the specification and thereby the size of an external passive filter required to meet the given EMI standards. The proposed metric is useful in evaluating and comparing the severity of the EMI noise generated by different implementations of a power converter. Thus, it allows the designer to choose the better implementation option from an EMI noise perspective. The use of the proposed metric is demonstrated through the comparison of the quality of spectra of a power converter with two different switching schemes. Index Terms--Common mode (CM), differential mode (DM), electromagnetic interference (EMI).

High power conversion efficiency is an important requirement of the front-end power-factor-corrected (PFC) boost rectifier that is used in shaping the ac input current in a typical modern switch-mode power supply. A reasonably accurate estimate of the power losses in individual components is essential in order to improve the efficiency of the PFC rectifier. In this paper, difficulties in the measurement of individual component power losses with particular reference to an ac--dc converter are brought out. A method of loss evaluation by measurement of temperatures of individual components and surrounding ambient is presented. Experimental results that are carried out on the front-end boost PFC rectifier of a commercial ac-dc converter are presented to validate the loss estimation method. Index Terms--Loss measurement, power factor, pulsewidth-modulated power converters, rectifiers, switch-mode power supplies.

Recently, there has been an increase in the application of fuzzy logic controllers (FLCs) for control of power electronic converters. Due to the FLCs' complex algorithm, their realization often calls for a compromise between cost and performance. In this paper, it is shown that the rule table of most of the two-input FLCs used with power converters can be approximated into a single nonlinearity. This allows the controller to be easily realized using simple, fast, and inexpensive analog circuits. The simplified 'nonlinear function controller (NLFC)' developed in this manner is shown to be equivalent in performance to the original FLC through simulations. The NLFC concept is then applied to PI-FLC, a type of FLC popular in power converter control applications. This results in the PI-FLC being replaced by a simple 'nonlinear PI controller (NPIC).' Using this simplification, the design of NPICs to obtain good dynamic performance in power converters is explained. An example design of NPIC for controlling a dc-dc boost power converter is presented. Experimental results are also presented to demonstrate the superior dynamic performance of the converter with NPIC versus that of a linear-PI controller. Index Terms--Dynamic response, fuzzy control, fuzzy logic, pulsewidth-modulated (PWM) power converters, switched-mode power supplies, Topelitz matrices.

A tri-state boost converter with an additional boost-inductor free-wheeling interval was proposed earlier to eliminate the right-half-plane (RHP) zero that occurs in the control-to-output transfer function of a classical boost converter under continuous-conduction mode of operation. A 'constant-Do' control scheme, in which the 'capacitor-charging' interval of the converter was kept constant, was employed. This resulted in a relatively large inductor current, especially under high line and load conditions, thereby causing high circuit losses. This paper proposes two variations of a novel dual-mode control (DMC) scheme that vary both the 'boost' and the 'capacitor-charging' intervals. Control analysis, design, and limitations of the proposed DMC schemes are presented. Through computer simulations and hardware experiments the performance of the tri-state boost converter with DMC schemes are compared with those of the tri-state boost converter with 'constant-Do' control scheme, and the classical PI-controlled boost converter. The DMC schemes achieve a significant (about 10%) improvement in converter's efficiency for a wide load range over the 'constant-Do' control scheme. Index Terms--Boost converter, 'constant-Do' control, dc-dc converter, dual-mode control, right-half-plane zero, small-signal analysis, tri-state boost converter.

A challenging problem in the design of boost converters operating in continuous-conduction mode is posed by the dynamically shifting right-half-plane (RHP) zero in the converter's small-signal control-to-output transfer function. The paper proposes a novel tri-state boost converter without such a zero in the transfer function. The additional degree of freedom introduced in the converter in the form of a freewheeling interval has been exploited through an easy control technique to achieve this elimination. The absence of the RHP zero allows the control scheme to achieve larger bandwidth under closed-loop conditions, resulting in fast response. Analytical, simulation and experimental results of the tri-state boost converter have been presented and compared with those of the classical boost converter both under open-loop and under closed-loop operating conditions. The results clearly demonstrate the superior dynamic performance of the proposed converter. The proposed converter can be used in applications wherever fast-response boost action is needed. Index Terms--Boost converter, dc-dc converter, right-half-plane zero, small-signal analysis, tri-state boost converter.