Inductor design for a buck boost converter

• Main Author: Yeo, Yee Jie
• Other Authors: Tang Yi
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Engineering; Inductor design; Buck boost converter
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/176406
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This paper examines the design and optimization of an inductor for a buck-boost converter, focusing on the selection of toroid types, the determination of the number of turns, and the use of multiple cores to increase performance. The study begins with an overview of toroid materials, including ferrite, iron powder and nanocrystalline, and examines their magnetic properties and suitability for high frequency applications. The effects of these materials on core loss, saturation flux density and thermal management are analyzed. A systematic approach to determine the optimum number of turns is presented, balancing inductance requirements with winding resistance and core losses to achieve high efficiency. The benefits of using multiple cores in parallel and series configurations to handle higher power and reduce thermal stress are also explored. The design methodology will be validated through both simulation and experimental testing. Improvements in efficiency, thermal performance and electromagnetic interference (EMI) reduction will be demonstrated. The results demonstrate the importance of selecting the appropriate toroidal core type, optimizing the number of turns and effectively utilizing multiple cores to meet the stringent requirements of modern buck boost converters. This study provides valuable insight and practical guidance for engineers seeking to improve the performance and reliability of power converters through advanced inductor design techniques.