Reliability engineering

Totem-Pole PFC Reliability and Performance Improvement With Advanced Controls

October 14, 2022 by Zhong Ye

Totem-pole power factor correction (PFC) is a simple and highly efficient topology. It is being widely used in high-density and high-efficiency power supply design. However, engineers still face many design challenges, including PFC current reversing prevention at input voltage drop, lightning surge protection, current harmonic reduction, and ac crossover current spike … [Read more...] about Totem-Pole PFC Reliability and Performance Improvement With Advanced Controls

Practical Considerations for Design and Layout of High Power Digital PCBs: Reliably Powering Complex Multilayer Digital Printed Circuit Boards

June 1, 2021 by Mikhail Guz

This article discusses practical aspects of powering complex multilayer digital printed circuit boards (PCBs) from high-energy sources and tradeoffs that are required to make functional and reliable boards. What can be found between two layers of copper in a multi- layer PCB? Most engineers would say dielectric or isolation. Evidently not only that but, according to … [Read more...] about Practical Considerations for Design and Layout of High Power Digital PCBs: Reliably Powering Complex Multilayer Digital Printed Circuit Boards

Assessing Short-Circuit Robustness of 1200 V SiC MOSFETs: Using Deep Structural and Physical Analysis

June 1, 2021 by Alberto O. Adan, Yusuke Takagi, Seiji Takeuchi, Lajos (Louis) Burgyan, and Yuji Kakizaki

Silicon carbide (SiC) transistors are known for their high breakdown voltage capabilities and ability to operate at much higher temperatures relative to silicon (Si) power semiconductors. The first commercial SiC MOSFETs were introduced in 2010 [1], [2]. Currently, third generation devices are in production and leading manufacturers will soon release fourth generation products … [Read more...] about Assessing Short-Circuit Robustness of 1200 V SiC MOSFETs: Using Deep Structural and Physical Analysis

How to Design and Implement an Adapter Power Supply With Active Clamp Flyback

December 1, 2020 by Ahsan Zaman and Aleksandar Radic

Designing power supplies, especially for power adapters, requires that the designer possess a particular level of expertise and insight into implementing the best architecture. This level of expertise is especially relevant when using a power architecture known as Active Clamp Flyback (ACF). This article will demonstrate, to designers, a practical design method to obtain a … [Read more...] about How to Design and Implement an Adapter Power Supply With Active Clamp Flyback

A technology revolution is unfolding around us as every major mode of transportation is in some stage of electrification, whether on land, sea, or in the air. All of these transportation modes depend on electric machines that play critical roles in both propulsion systems as well as in a wide variety of accessory equipment. Fuel economy and reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants are major driving forces for electrified transportation. Despite the significant differences between these varied transportation modes, they all share strong motivations to make their electric machines and adjustable-speed drives smaller, lighter, and more efficient. An excellent example of this trend for the power electronic drives is provided by comparing the drive units in the Tesla S (2012) and Tesla 3 (2017). As shown in the side-by-side views provided in Figure 1, the drive unit shrank in size from an enclosure that matched the size of its main traction motor to a much smaller unit that, at first sight, appears to be a non-descript end-bell attached to one end of the motor. Rather than focusing here on how this impressive reduction in mass and volume was achieved (addressed later in this article), the key point here is that similar technology trends are under way in many of the other transportation modes as well, making electrified transportation increasingly appealing and competitive in the process.