Design optimization for a half-bridge DC-DC converter

A nonlinear programming technique using penalty function method is employed for the minimum weight design of a half-bridge DC-DC buck power converter. The cost-effective computer-aided approach provides a minimum-weight design down to the details of the component level and concurrently meets all power-circuit performance requirements. Important design insights and guidelines are obtained to readily assess (1) the tradeoffs between weight and loss as the switching frequency is increased, (2) the optimum operating frequency range over which the total weight/loss is minimized, (3) the impact of device characteristics on the total weight and loss profile.