Ultra compact three-phase PWM rectifier

An increasing number of telecom, data server and aircraft power supply applications require high power, highly efficient, compact, sinusoidal input current rectifiers. The design and experimental performance of an 8.5 kW/liter (139 W/in(3)) 3-phase PWM rectifier with a power output of 10 kW is presented. The high power density is achieved by increasing the switching frequency up to 400 kHz, which results in smaller EMI filters and boost inductors, while still maintaining a high efficiency over 95%. To minimize the switching losses, a combination of a CoolMOS and SiC diode are used in a custom power module. The module together with an optimized forced air cooled heat sink, optimized EMI filter, and a fully digital controller are used to obtain the high power density of the rectifier.