Toward a plug-and-play approach for active power factor correction

The feasibility of producing a modular Active Power Factor Correction (APFC) system was studied analytically and experimentally. It is shown that the novel control scheme that does not need the sensing of the input voltage is highly compatible with the modular, plug-and-play concept. Modularity is achieved by aggregating practically all the electronics in an IC or hybrid unit that may also include the power switch. This unit plus a line rectifier, inductor and bus capacitor are all that it takes to form an APFC system. It is demonstrated that dynamic stability is assured by the proposed inherent robust control method. This plug-and-play solution will greatly simplify and reduce the cost of the design and manufacturing of APFC front ends.