SIMPLIS POP and AC Analysis of PFC AC-to-DC Converters

The SIMPLIS Periodic Operating Point (POP) analysis is a powerful tool for finding the steady-state operating condition of switching DC-to-DC converters. Importantly, a successful POP analysis is required before a SIMPLIS AC Analysis can be performed. AC-to-DC converters with Power Factor Correction (PFC) present a significant challenge for the POP analysis for PFC AC-to-DC converters since the system is responding to both the AC line frequency and the converter switching frequency. These two frequencies are rarely synchronized, especially with PFC circuits with variable switching-frequency control schemes.

This Webinar introduces the new PFC POP Trigger device which monitors both the switching frequency of the PFC converter as well as the AC line frequency. The output of the PFC POP Trigger device is connected to the circuit in such a way as to allow SIMPLIS to perfectly synchronize the switching of the converter so as to produce an exact integral number of switching cycles in each AC line cycle. This technique works for both fixed and variable-frequency PFC control schemes. The use of the PFC POP Trigger device is explained using several step-by-step examples. As expected, the PFC POP Trigger allows users to perform a successful POP analysis followed by a SIMPLIS AC analysis of PFC AC-to-DC converters.