Accurate Characterization and Emulation of Active Bridge Magnetic Efficiencies with Novel Excitation Circuit

Significant research has sought to understand, predict and map passive device performance for high power converters. Magnetic component performance is paramount for proper operation, efficiency and power density requirements. This paper introduces a method to apply the complex, multilevel operational waveforms needed for exact magnetic component performance mapping while using traditional open secondary testing techniques and a simple configuration of WBG devices. This converter easily achieves the high voltages and currents at high bandwidth that are applicable to advanced power converters. The presented testing approach reduces mischaracterization errors by up to 400%. An example characterization case of magnetics for the three port active bridge is shown whereby the transformer design efficiency is measured over the entire converter operational space.