Light-Load Efficiency Optimization Method

• Published in: IEEE transactions on power electronics Vol. 25; no. 1; pp. 67 - 74
• Main Authors: Yungtaek Jang, Jovanovic, M.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01-01-2010; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Circuit properties; Circuits; Computer aided manufacturing; Connection and protection apparatus; Conversion; Converters; Core loss; Efficiency optimization; Electric currents; Electric power; Electric, optical and optoelectronic circuits; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electronic circuits; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; light load; Magnetic devices; Magnetic semiconductors; Magnetic switching; maximum efficiency; Methods; Optimization; Optimization methods; Power conversion; Power electronics; Power electronics, power supplies; power management; Power semiconductor switches; Power supplies; Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices; Semiconductors; Signal convertors; Switches; Performance evaluation; Power converter; Conversion rate; light load; Direct current convertor; Optimization method; Machining; maximum efficiency; Power factor correction; Efficiency optimization; Power electronics; DC-DC power convertors; Switching; Implementation; Optimization; High power; Switching conditions; High efficiency; Energy conversion; Semiconductor switches; Electric power consumption; power management; Power factor regulation; Magnetic device
• ISSN: 0885-8993; 1941-0107
• DOI: 10.1109/TPEL.2009.2024419

In this paper, a method of maintaining high power-conversion efficiency across the entire load range and its circuit implementations are described. The proposed method substantially increases the conversion efficiency at light loads by minimizing switching and driving losses of semiconductor switches, as well as core losses of magnetic components. These losses are minimized by periodically turning off and on the power converter, and by controlling the converter so that when the converter is on, it operates at the power level that exhibits the maximum efficiency. The performance of the proposed method was evaluated on a 500-W, 400-V/12-V dc-dc converter and a 1-kW ac-dc boost power-factor-correction front-end.