Accurate Switch-Current Reading by Utilizing PCB-Embedded Differential Rogowski Coils

Semiconductors require non-intrusive current sensing elements to enable real-time monitoring and control of power converters’ operation. Due to extreme conditions and tight constraints in power electronics converters, developing a current measurement scheme for switching-current sensing is challenging. As an example, most current sensors are not suitable for lateral GaN switches because of their extremely tight layout requirements, high EMI emission levels, and rapid switching speeds, and typically, spiral coils or flat-shaped contactless current reading methods will be more suitable in this situation since they can be easily installed and do not require additional mounting space, enabling them to be compact and flexible. In this paper, PCB-embedded Rogowski coil-based dual-path current sensors with two different geometries will be proposed, constructed, and tested for contactless and high bandwidth switch-current measurement, especially, for integration into newer generations of power converters.