Designing an LLC Converter

 

In this post, I will share one of my electronic projects: designing an open-loop 15 Watts LLC converter circuit. This post will cover the design step, LTSpice circuit simulation, PCB design, and testing of the LLC converter hardware.

1. Design Parameters

First, we will specify the parameters of the LLC circuit, as shown in the table below.

Output voltage 24 V
Input voltage 12 V
Output power 15 W
Resonant frequency 80 kHz

1.1 Once we specify the parameters, we will start by calculating the winding ratio, n, of the inductor. The constant value 2 is used for Half-Bridge configuration; if Full-Bridge changes it into 1

    \[n = \frac{V_{in}}{2V_o} \]


    \[n = \frac{24V}{2 \times 12V} = 1\]

1.2 Next, we will calculate the minimum gain we want for the LCC resonant tank. We will assume the minimum output voltage with the maximum input for this. The constant value 2 is used for Half-Bridge configuration; if Full-Bridge changes it into 1

    \[M_{min} = \frac{n \times V_{o\underline min}}{V_{in\underline max}/ 2} \]


    \[M_{min} = \frac{1 \times 10V}{26V⁄2} = 0,76\]

1.3 Next, we will calculate the maximum gain we want for the LCC resonant tank. We will assume the maximum output voltage with the minimum input for this.

    \[M_{max} = \frac{n \times V_{o\underline max}}{V_{in\underline min}/ 2} \]


    \[M_{min} = \frac{1 \times 12V}{22V⁄2} = 1,09\]

1.4 Choosing the Qe and Ln values by parametric analysis in LTSpice (see this post). We decided to choose Qe = 0,97 and Ln = 2,66

LLC tank’s gain over different frequencies

1.5 Calculate the equivalent resistance Re,

    \[R_e = \frac{8 \times n^2}{\pi^2} \times R_L \]


    \[R_e = \frac{8 \times 1^2}{\pi^2} \times 9,6\Omega = 7,7\Omega \]

1.6 Now we will calculate the resonant capacitor Cr,

    \[C_r = \frac{1}{2\pi f_{sw}R_eQ_e}\]


    \[C_r = \frac{1}{2\pi \times 80 \times 10^3 \times 7,7 \times 0,97} = 0,26\mu F\]

1.7 Calculating the resonant inductor Lr,

    \[L_r = \frac{1}{(2\pi f_{sw})^2C_r}\]


    \[L_r = \frac{1}{(2\pi \times 80 \times 10^3)^2 \times 0,26 \times 10^{- 6}} = 15\mu H \]

1.8 Finally, we will calculate the magnetizing inductance Le,

    \[L_m = L_n \times L_r\]


    \[L_m = 2,66 \times 15\mu H = 39,97\mu H \]

At this point, we have an initial value for the LLC tank

Cr 0,26 µF
Lr 15 µH
Lm 39,97 µH

2. Simulation of the LLC converter circuit

Now, we are ready to simulate the LLC circuit with the resonant tank components that we have calculated before. (LTSpice_simulation_file)

Electrical simulation of the LLC converter using LTSpice
Key waveforms of the LLC converter simulation

3. PCB Design

The PCB design is done using Fusion 360 by Autodesk.

 

4. Hardware Testing

After finishing the assembly process, we are now ready  to test the electrical characteristics of the LLC converter

References:
1.Hong Huang, “Designing an LLC Resonant Half-Bridge Power Converter” SLUP 263, Texas Instruments

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *