Optimal design methodology of zero-voltage-switching full-bridge pulse width modulated converter for server power supplies based on self-driven synchronous rectifier performance

In this paper, high-efficiency design methodology of a zero-voltage-switching full-bridge (ZVS-FB) pulse width modulation (PWM) converter for server-computer power supply is discussed based on self-driven synchronous rectifier (SR) performance. The design approach focuses on rectifier conduction loss on the secondary side because of high output current application. Various-number parallel-connected SRs are evaluated to reduce high conduction loss. For this approach, the reliability of gate control signals produced from a self-driver is analyzed in detail to determine whether the converter achieves high efficiency. A laboratory prototype that operates at 80 kHz and rated 1 kW/12 V is built for various-number parallel combination of SRs to verify the proposed theoretical analysis and evaluations. Measurement results show that the best efficiency of the converter is 95.16%. © 2016 KIPE