Automatized connection of the layers of planar transformers with parallel windings to improve the component behavior

Abstract

Abstract-Transformers with parallel windings are commonly used to reduce the losses in the windings. Windings losses depend on the winding positioning and the frequency effects because each winding affects the current sharing of itself and the neighboring windings.In this paper a methodology for determining the connections of the parallel windings that reduces the power losses (and temperature) in the windings of multi-winding transformers is presented. Other applications of the method, such as balanced current sharing and voltage drop reduction are also explored.

Modeling Current Distribution Within Conductors and Between Parallel Conductors in High-Frequency Magnetics

“…Finite element analysis software (FEA) is often used to analyze current distributions in transformers, especially for verifying specific designs [8]- [10]. While very common, FEA software is relatively slow and and difficult to integrate with general-purpose programming languages and circuit simulators, greatly limiting its utility for automated optimization.…”

“…One established strategy for predicting current behavior is to extract circuit parameters from the physical structure of the magnetic components, then use a circuit simulator (such as SPICE) to solve [8], [11]- [13]. Predictions of current distribution have been done based on Maxwell's equations, but their general application involves the solution of coupled differential equations which again introduces intuitive and computational barriers [14], [15].…”