Benchmark of power packaging for dc/dc and ac/dc converters

This paper presents the first reported final results of a benchmarking project "StatPEP" which investigated the Status of Power Electronic Packaging used in commercial dc/dc and ac/dc switch mode power supplies. The methodology of the project is first described. Some of the salient results of a comprehensive benchmarking of dc/dc converters (rated power of 100 W) and ac/dc converters (rated power up to 576 W) are presented. Examples for figures-of-merit are presented. The results of the investigation are presented in a generic form, which does not identify individual products. A comparison of the performance of the units shows that the measured power density of the ac/dc units is approximately 10% that of the dc/dc while the thermal density based on footprint is 50%. Also the switching frequency of the ac/dc is 50% that of the dc/dc's. Some of the reasons for these differences are discussed.