High-Frequency Power Electronics

Understand the fundamental principles and advantages of high-frequency power electronics.

Overview of high-frequency operation: frequency range, benefits, and applications. Advantages of high-frequency converters: size reduction, improved power density, faster response. Core concepts: skin effect, proximity effect, and high-frequency behaviour of components. Applications in telecommunications, aerospace, automotive, and renewable energy systems.

Learn the design and operation of high-frequency power converters.

Types of high-frequency converters: resonant converters, soft-switching converters, and isolated converters (e.g., flyback, forward, half-bridge, full-bridge). Design considerations: switching frequency, converter topology, and control methods. Key parameters: duty cycle, switching losses, efficiency, and thermal performance. Resonant converters: design principles, operation modes (ZVS, ZCS), and applications.

Explore the selection and application of components for high-frequency circuits.

Semiconductor devices: high-speed MOSFETs, IGBTs, GaN, and SiC transistors. Passive components: high-frequency capacitors, inductors, and transformers. Magnetic materials: selection for core design in high-frequency applications (ferrites, nanocrystalline materials). PCB design considerations: layout techniques to minimize parasitics and EMI.

Understand the challenges and solutions in high-frequency design, including switching losses and electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Switching Losses: causes, impact on efficiency, and methods to minimize losses (soft-switching techniques, synchronous rectification). Electromagnetic Interference (EMI): sources, impact on circuit performance, and mitigation techniques (shielding, filtering, grounding). Parasitic effects: inductance, capacitance, and their influence on high-frequency operation. Techniques for reducing noise and improving signal integrity in high-frequency designs.

Implement thermal management and reliability strategies for high-frequency power converters.

Thermal challenges specific to high-frequency operation: higher losses, localized heating. Advanced cooling techniques: heat sinks, forced air cooling, liquid cooling, and thermal vias in PCB design. Reliability considerations: impact of high-frequency switching on device wear, failure modes, and lifetime. Design for robustness: derating, protection circuits, and thermal management strategies to enhance reliability.

Analyse and troubleshoot high-frequency power converter performance in practical applications.

Simulation and modelling tools for high-frequency design: SPICE, MATLAB/Simulink, and electromagnetic simulation software. Measurement techniques: use of high-bandwidth oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and EMI testers. Common issues in high-frequency designs: ringing, overshoot, thermal hotspots, and layout-induced problems. Case studies and practical examples of high-frequency converter design, testing, and optimisation.