Opportunities and Challenges of Multiwinding Transformer-Based DC-DC Converters-Slides

Abstract: Multiwinding-Transformer-based (MWT) DC-DC converter did emerge in the last 25 years as an interesting possibility to connect several energy systems and-or to offer higher power density because of the reduction of transformer core material and reduction of power converter stages. MWT DC-DC converters can be considered as an interesting compromise between non-modular DC-DC Converter and a modular DC-DC converter since they are themselves modular in the construction. This eventually lead to some fault tolerant possibilities because the MWT connects more ports and if one of them is not working anymore and it can be isolated still the others can continue operating. Unfortunately, it is exactly the MWT which creates most of the technical challenges of this class of DC-DC converters because of the cross-coupling effects which make especially the resonant-topology very challenging to be designed. This webinar will review the history of the MWT DC-DC and then provide a classification of them, comparing them with Figure of Merits and focusing on which is the maximum possible number of windings and which are the most suited magnetic core types. The problems coming from cross-coupling and the possible fault tolerant operation are analyzed with the help of simulation and experimental results.