Cosimulation Approach for Transient Analysis and Inductor Design of DC-DC Buck Converters

This paper introduces a dynamic cosimulation approach to evaluate the effect of the selection of magnetic core material in toroidal inductors for DC-DC converters under varying load conditions. This cosimulation approach is based on the combination of transient analysis and finite element analysis to investigate how different high-frequency magnetic materials perform as potential core components for the converter’s inductor. The study considers a DC-DC buck converter modeled in Simulink and a detailed toroidal core inductor modeled through COMSOL Multiphysics. The LiveLink for Simulink tool available in COMSOL Multiphysics is utilized for accurate inclusion of the nonlinear inductor model and its integration into the dynamic buck converter model. The study provides insights into the behavior of different magnetic materials under high current exposure, and their suitability for use in DC-DC converters. The results of this investigation can provide practical guidance for designing and optimizing DC-DC converters in various electrical systems, with a focus on selecting appropriate magnetic materials for toroidal inductors.