Comprehensive Study and Performance Evaluation of an Interleaved GaN-Based PFC With Magnetic Component Size Reduction

Power factor correction (PFC) converters can be significantly reduced in size by integrating control circuits, sensing circuits, gate drivers, and power switches. However, magnetic components are the main parts that are bulky and prevent further PFC size reduction. Recently, a highly integrated commercial PFC called Gallium Nitride-controller module (GaN-CM) was introduced, which employs a novel controller in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) to reduce the size of the boost inductor. The question remains, however, of how to quantify the inductor size reduction while maintaining high efficiency. Moreover, the power rating of GaN-CM is up to 240 W with a single-module operation. In this article, steady-state analysis, loss analysis, and inductor optimization of GaN-CM are conducted to show how DCM PFC can lead to a small inductor with high efficiency. Furthermore, GaN-CM interleaving is proposed to increase the power rating of GaN-CM. The proposed interleaved PFC is verified by a 400-W prototype with an advanced GaN transistor.