Low-Profile Direct Power Converter: 350A/48V-1V with Planar Matrix Transformer using standard PCB and commercial cores

The 48V-1V Low-Profile Direct Power Converter, described in this paper, is a single-stage converter for high-current applications with height limitation. Based on the DPx converter, this 5mm-height power converter takes steps forwards by using standard PCB and a Planar Matrix Transformer with commercial cores. This Low-Profile converter becomes a so-called electric center, worsening the conversion performance but improving the manufacturability. A non-optimized prototype was built and tested up to 350A output current, reaching a peak efficiency of 94% and a full-load efficiency of 85% with 412 W/in
³
power density. The 5mm height power converter presented in this article enables a power-supply-in-package for applications where the height dimension becomes highly restrictive.