PEEC modeling of connections in power converters

Today, in power electronics, as in many other engineering disciplines, it is essential to be able to simulate and predict the behavior of a device. This simulation has two main objectives:

• study the evolution of quantities that are difficult to measure on a prototype. For example, study the balancing of current flowing in capacitors acting as filters when connected to a busbar;

• design devices using a minimum of prototypes.

This article focuses on the modeling of electrical connections in their environment. The function of these connections is to link the various elements making up a power electronics structure. There are four important phenomena to model in power electronics:

• overvoltages caused by rapid changes in current ;

• the values of voltage and current edge variations during switching. This knowledge is essential for predicting the electromagnetic behavior of the device in any study concerning electromagnetic compatibility (EMC);

• current distribution between elements ;

• the interaction between control and power....