DESIGN AND PROTOTYPING OF A LOW-SIDE ACTIVE CLAMPFORWARD CONVERTER POWER SUPPLY : Comparison with an existing Fixed Frequency Resonant Power Supply

Abstract:

This thesis details the design, build and commissioning of an active clamp forward converter with synchronous rectification and comparison to an existing fixed frequency resonant switching converter power supply. The points of comparison are: noise and ripple, power efficiency, number of components, size of components and cost. The goal is to increase the efficiency by 10% and reduce the cost and component count by 33% as compared to the existing design. A partial implementation of the new design was completed in the project timeframe and a provisional comparison showed a promising efficiency and reduced component count for comparable cost. Design improvements are proposed and follow up work is discussed to prototype a complete unit and confirm these results.