Coupled Inductor Characterization for a High Performance Interleaved Boost Converter

Interleaved power converter topologies have received increasing attention in recent years for high power and high performance applications. The advantages of interleaved boost converters include increased efficiency, reduced size, reduced electromagnetic emission, faster transient response, and improved reliability. The front end inductors in an interleaved boost converter are magnetically coupled to improve electrical performance and reduce size and weight. Compared to a direct coupled configuration, inverse coupling provides the advantages of lower inductor ripple current and negligible dc flux levels in the core. In this paper, we explore the possible advantages of core geometry on core losses and converter efficiency. Analysis of FEA simulation and empirical characterization data indicates a potential superiority of a square core, with symmetric 45 degrees energy storage corner gaps, for providing both ac flux balance and maximum dc flux cancellation when wound in an inverse coupled configuration.