Design and implementation of EMI filter for high frequency (MHz) power converters

Abstract

The fabrication of emerging power semiconductor devices and high frequency PCB power transformers has made it possible to design the power converters in MHz switching frequency range. However, the higher switching frequency, di/dt loops and dv/dt nodes in power stages of these converters generate higher order harmonics which causes Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI). It is commonly believed that the EMI has worst affect in the converters switching in MHz frequency range than the converters operating below 150 kHz. Thus, it is important research direction to investigate the consequences of implementing a line filter to suppress the conducted EMI in high frequency power converters. In this paper, the measurements, and analysis of the conducted EMI in emerging power converters, switching in MHz frequency range, and the design of the filter for its suppression is presented. The design of LISN and its PCB implementation for EMI measurements is presented. The measurement of conducted EMI of a half bridge DC-DC converter switching at 3.45 MHz and the analysis of the frequency spectrum is discussed. The design, PCB implementation and characterization of the EMI filter and the measurement of the suppressed conducted noise by applying the filter are also discussed.