Design by Optimization of DC-DC High-Current Planar Inductor Combining High and Low Permeability Magnetic Materials

HLP Planar inductors made of combined low permeability (LP) and high permeability (HP) planar cores allow to achieve better performance compared to traditional planar inductors with air gap. In this paper, an optimization methodology is proposed to design high performance HLP planar inductors. Based on magnetic, loss and thermal models, an optimal design process is developed and applied to the case of a planar inductor operated in a $20-\text{kW}$ SiC-based buck converter.