| Abstract |
Recent advances in switching device technology and power converter circuit topologies have enabled unprecedented increases in power conversion density by allowing greatly increased switching frequencies, which permit the use of much smaller energy storage and transformation components. Although a great number of papers describing such converter circuits have appeared, work remains to be done to optimise the power transformer itself which is often the largest component in the circuit. Recent literature has investigated the planar transformer, which has aroused interest due to its ease of construction and inherent low profile. The present paper uses established theory, magnetostatic modelling and experimental results to provide a comparison between the planar transformer and the conventional, concentrically wound component, optimised for high frequency operation, revealing possible limitations in the former and potential superior efficiency to volume performance of the latter. |
