Coupling of magnetic design choices to DC-to-DC converter electrical performance

The design of an energy-storage reactor in a large measure determines the performance of most high-efficiency switched-mode DC-to-DC power converters. No other component has such a dramatic effect on the circuit waveforms and the distribution of circuit losses. It is often difficult, even for experienced designers, to visualize the complex relationships between the choices of magnetic design parameters and the resulting electrical performance of the power stage. This paper develops a methodology that allows the designer to relate the magnetic design choices of core material, core geometry, number of turns and relative permeability to the electrical performance of the power stage.