Date: 02/10/2009

Expansion of dual boost chopper modules for interleaved power factor correction apps

Microsemi has expanded its dual boost chopper modules for interleaved power factor correction (PFC) applications for high performance power supplies in telecommunications and industrial equipment, digital TVs, lighting, air conditioning and home appliances.

A PFC circuit is to low distortion levels of the input current in DC-to-DC converters and get full utilization of the voltage mains. This topology consists of two boost converters in parallel operating 180 degrees out of phase, called interleaved PFC and requires an open connection between the transistor collector and the diode anode to insert a transformer that feeds information to a control circuit.

"The introduction of these new dual boost chopper power modules will allow our customers to improve their PFC designs beyond the efficiency, performance, reliability and size of conventional power systems," said Philippe Dupin, Director, Power Module Products, Power Products Group located in Bordeaux, France. "SiC diodes are also available for Microsemi's dual boost chopper modules to further increase the operating frequency and achieve even lower profile systems," he added.

The input current is the sum of two inductor currents with ripple currents that cancel each other due to opposite phase operation. Interleaving the two boost converters to an equivalent frequency on the input that is twice the operating frequency of each single converter. The reduction of the input ripple current and the doubling of the input switching frequency offer EMI filtering and reduce magnetic components volume and system cost. Interleaved PFCs also reduce the output capacitor ripple current and the electrical stress on this component to contribute to high system reliability.

The new dual boost chopper modules are offered in Microsemi's low profile SP1 and SP3 packages with fast NPT IGBTs, COOLMOS and MOSFET devices with voltage from a 500V to 1200V and currents from 13A to 90A.

Price: Ranges from $20 to $50 for 1k pieces
Availability: Now in samples
For more details visit www.microsemi.com