Role of reliability assessment in Si-based non-Isolated DC-DC power electronic converters

Abstract

Electrical energy is one of the majorly adaptable sources of energy available today due to the advancement of power electronics in recent decades. Nonetheless, designing proper power electronic converters is not an easy task: it normally encompasses minimization of several competing factors, such as power losses and mass, while adhering to a variety of technical and thermal constraints. Power electronic systems are becoming essential in power quality enhancement, grid integration; variable drives systems, energy storage systems, and electrical vehicles (EVs). Power electronic technologies provide lightweight and high-efficiency power transfer solutions. DC-DC converters are those devices that convert voltage from one level to another level as per the application or requirement. Reliability is known as the tendency that a system or subsystem facilitates the essential function for the specified duration of the period under given operational and environmental conditions. In this paper, the role of reliability assessment has been addressed in the context of complementary metal–oxidesemiconductor (CMOS) technology-oriented silicon (Si)-based non-isolated DC-DC converters. Here, Impacts of parasitic elements on reduced reliability have been analyzed using MATLAB® Simulink. Further various reliability prediction matrices, failure modes, and other factors have been presented that clearly show that reliability assessment is a necessary condition for reliable design and operation management of Non-isolated DC-DC converters.