Efficiency and EMI comparisons between prototyped 8 kW hard and soft switched buck choppers

Rapid reconfiguration makes power electronics-based DC distribution systems attractive for systems that must be highly dependable. For systems at high power levels, the development of high-performance DC-DC converters is essential. In an attempt to assess efficiency, EMI, size and complexity, the authors have simulated, prototyped, and evaluated similar hard-switched and soft-switched 8 kW buck converters.