Designing an LLC converter involves a wide range of design decisions and key parameters, many of which are related. This means any single design choice impacts a multitude of other parameters in the system. The LLC tank in particular poses the greatest design challenge because it determines the converter’s capacity to respond to changes in load, frequency, and voltage. Therefore, designers must pr...

LLC resonant converters have become a hot topic in power electronics because they can meet the demanding performance requirements set by modern power supply designs. The LLC is one of a significantly larger family of resonant converter topologies, all of which are based on resonant tanks. Resonant tanks are circuits made up of inductors and capacitors that oscillate at a specific frequency, called...

Reliable and affordable energy sources are required to power the economy and meet daily needs. Without these energy sources, economic growth and development stalls. Dependence on foreign sources for energy can also lead to vulnerability to geopolitical conflicts. With ongoing concerns regarding climate change, ensuring energy security has environmental implications as well, with efforts to increas...

When starting a DC motor, large currents can be required that place a burden on the motor driver and power supply. This article will discuss using the current regulation function integrated into many motor driver ICs, while using examples from Monolithic Power Systems (MPS) to address high-current conditions. In many cases, using current regulation can allow designers to use a smaller motor drive...

In an era characterized by the internet of things (IoT), more connectivity means more outdoor devices are now battery-powered and constantly communicating. In particular, an increasing number of outdoor devices are being powered through solar panels. The charger should be suitable for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in outdoor designs with a solar panel. This article illustrates design tips fo...

Power factor is defined as the ratio of energy a device is capable of transmitting to the output versus the total amount of energy it takes from the input power source. It is a key figure of merit for the design of electrical devices, especially due to the regulations put in place by countries and international organizations like the EU, which define the minimum power factor or maximum level of ha...

An operational amplifier (op amp) is an analog circuit block that takes a differential voltage input and produces a single-ended voltage output. Op amps usually have three terminals: two high-impedance inputs and a low-impedance output port. The inverting input is denoted with a minus (-) sign, and the non-inverting input uses a positive (+) sign. Operational amplifiers work to amplify the voltag...

Smart lighting is considered to be the new frontier of the global lighting industry, as the trend of smart homes, Internet of Things (IoT), and a connected world are the main driving factors in global electronics growth. In terms of major applications of the smart lighting concept, the industry is currently more focused on light intensity dimming, lighting color temperature adjustment, ambient sen...

When decelerating a moving mass in a permanent magnet motor drive, energy stored in the mechanical system may be returned through the motor driver to the power source. If this energy is not properly accounted for, it can cause damage to the motor driver or the rest of the system by causing an increase in the power supply voltage. In this article, we will look at ways to dissipate this energy safe...