A high efficiency ZVS PWM asymmetrical half bridge converter for plasma display panel sustaining power module

A high efficiency ZVS PWM asymmetrical half bridge converter for a plasma display panel (PDP) sustaining power module is proposed in this paper. To achieve the ZVS of power switches for the wide load range, a small additional inductor L_1kg, which also acts as an output filter inductor, is serially inserted to the transformer primary side. Then, to solve the problem related to ringing in the secondary rectifier caused by L_1kg, the proposed circuit employs a structure without the output filter inductor, which helps the voltages across rectifier diodes to be clamped at the output voltage. Therefore, no dissipative RC (resistor capacitor) snubber for rectifier diodes is needed and a high efficiency as well as low noise output voltage can be realized. In addition, since it has no large output inductor filter, it features a simpler structure, lower cost, less mass, and lighter weight. Moreover, since all energy stored in L_1kg, is transferred to the output side, the circulating energy problem can be effectively solved. The operational principle, theoretical analysis, and design considerations are presented. To confirm the operation, validity, and features of the proposed circuit, experimental results from a 425 W, 385 Vdc/170 Vdc prototype are presented.