Hierarchical approaches to modeling high-power-factor AC-DC converters

The utility of a hierarchical approach to modeling and simulation in power electronics is illustrated using a high power factor (HPF) AC-DC switching power converter as an example. The combined use of several modeling techniques and tools is shown to provide comprehensive simulation coverage during analysis and design of the HPF converter. A summary of the various modeling levels, and their application domains and CPU times is given in tabular form. The estimated times are obtained by linear scaling of the measured times for a particular level. The CPU times show the necessity of using a hierarchical approach when simulating extended intervals and/or large circuits