Guides

In-depth explanations of power electronics design topics, written to accompany the calculators: the reasoning behind each formula, worked examples and the mistakes to avoid.

• PFCDesigning the Boost Inductor of a CCM PFC StageA step-by-step method for sizing the inductor of a continuous-conduction-mode boost PFC: where the ripple is largest across the line cycle, how to pick the ripple ratio, peak and RMS currents, and what to check in the core.
• GATESizing the Bootstrap Capacitor of a High-Side Gate DriverHow a bootstrap supply powers the high-side switch of a half bridge, how to size the capacitor from the charge it must deliver, how to choose the diode and resistor, and the start-up and 100 % duty-cycle traps.
• EV OBCInside an EV On-Board Charger: From AC Outlet to BatteryHow an electric-vehicle on-board charger is built: power levels set by the grid connection, the PFC stage, the DC-link capacitor and its double-line-frequency ripple, the isolated DC-DC stage, and why a wide battery voltage range shapes every choice.
• PRECHARGEDC-Link Precharge: Resistor, NTC or Active Circuit?Why a DC-link capacitor needs precharging, how to size a precharge resistor by pulse energy, when an NTC thermistor is not enough, and how the bypass relay should be timed.
• LLCReading the LLC Gain Curve: How m and Q Shape Your DesignA practical tour of the LLC resonant converter gain curve: the three operating regions, what the inductance ratio m and quality factor Q really trade off, the light-load regulation limit and how to check ZVS from the magnetizing current.
• LOOPClosing the Voltage Loop of an LLC ConverterHow frequency control changes compensator design for LLC converters: the negative plant gain, why the plant moves with the operating point, crossover and phase margin choices, digital delay and the frequency resolution trap.
• DABDual Active Bridge Basics: Phase Shift, Power and Soft SwitchingHow a dual active bridge transfers power with single phase shift, how to size the series inductance, why the voltage ratio M decides current stress and ZVS, and a worked 48 V to 400 V example.
• DEADTIMEChoosing Dead Time: Shoot-Through, Diode Loss and Voltage ErrorHow to choose half-bridge dead time from datasheet switching times and driver delays, what too much dead time costs in diode loss and output voltage error, and how SiC, GaN and ZVS converters change the picture.