Present and future trends in power electronic converter development

The development of various aspects of the technology of electronic power conversion is examined. The present state of the art is reviewed, giving attention to generic issues rather than to detail. This evaluation reviews power electronic devices, components, packaging and cooling, as well as present power electronic converter technology, including snubbers, resonant converters, resonant transition converters, current fed, voltage fed, direct and minimum converters. The present trends are identified and particularly related to packaging and cooling technology, manufacturing technology, environmental impact technology and converter electromagnetics. The future possibilities of electronic power converter technology is discussed in relation to packaging and cooling, environmental impact - including materials and EMI/EMC - manufacturing technology and converter electromagnetics.