Boost-Type Power Factor Corrector with Power Semiconductor Filter for Input Current Shaping

This paper extends the application of a solid-state input current harmonic filtering technique, named as power semiconductor filter (PSF), for boost-type power factor corrector (PFC). The filtering technique is based on connecting an active device, namely, series pass device (SPD), in series with the input of the boost converter. By adjusting the control signal to the SPD, the input current of the PFC is profiled to be in phase with the supply voltage and regulate the output voltage. The power dissipation of the SPD is maintained at a low level by operating the SPD at the boundary between the linear and saturation regions. Modeling of the static and dynamical characteristics, design, and analysis of the entire system will be given. A 100W, 85–265 Vac/400 Vdc PFC with the boost converter operating in discontinuous conduction mode has been built and evaluated. Experimental results reveal that the PSF can reduce the input current harmonics and improve the input power factor. They are in close agreement with the theoretical predictions. Finally, the conducted electromagnetic interference under different supply voltages will also be reported.