Design Automation Combining Analytical Models and Numerical Simulations for Three-level Neutral-point-clamped dc-dc Converter

Design automation in power electronics has been highlighted in recent years. Design flow, multi-physics co-design, data standardization have been identified as the major gaps for engineers and researchers to fill. As an exploratory effort, this paper presents an automated design for the three-level neutral-point-clamped dc-dc converter. The design firstly uses analytical models to determine the circuit level parameters. The problem size can thereby be reduced. The parameter candidates left are fed to automated FEMM and COMSOL simulations for precise modeling of magnetic components. Database published by ferrite and powder core manufacturers is incorporated in the design. The code of the entire design flow has been published on GitHub.