EMI filter design for high frequency power converters

Abstract

With the emerging power semiconductor devices in GaN and SiC technology and the development of high frequency multilayered PCB power transformers, power efficient DC-DC converters are designed in megahertz switching frequency range. The increased switching frequency in combination with sudden changes in current “di/dt” or voltage “dv/dt” levels generate higher order harmonics, which cause Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI). One of the major challenges, to design the power stage of these converters, is to minimize the EMI because it affects their Electro Magnetic Compatibility (EMC). There is a spread belief that the EMI becomes much worse in a MHz switching converter compared to the current ones operating below 150 kHz. This paper investigates the consequences on implementation of a line filter for suppressing conducted EMI in high frequency power converters. The results are based on electronic simulations, comparing EMI and filter design, for a 200 kHz and 2 MHz buck converter under similar conditions. By analyzing the noise frequency spectrum of both the converters it is observed that the size of filter components, such as capacitors and common mode chokes is greatly reduced in case of 2MHz Buck converter. The results show that the size reduction that can be accomplished by increasing the switching frequency to MHz range can be improved further by a smaller implementation of the line filter as well.