Equally Split PCB Inductor (ESPI) Design for High Energy Density and Low Near-Field Radiation

PCB inductors can enhance the integration of power electronics systems and hence are in high demand. Nevertheless, PCB inductors encounter challenges, such as the severe skin effect and significant inductance reduction, in both ac and dc conditions as trace widths increase. This letter identifies the cause of this inductance reduction and proposes an innovative PCB inductor structure to mitigate these issues. The new design also utilizes split wires to effectively suppress the skin effect. Comprehensive simulations and experiments demonstrate that the proposed equally split PCB inductor can achieve both high energy density and low near-field magnetic radiation.