To Resonate or Not to Resonate: That is the Question

When it comes to power conversion in integrated circuits, you may have heard of resonant and non-resonant converters. The question is: which one is better? In this post, we will compare the two types and provide an unbiased analysis of their strengths and weaknesses.

Non-Resonant Converters: Reliability and Cost-Effective

Non-resonant converters, also known as hard-switching converters, are the most commonly used in electronic devices. They work by turning the power switch on and off using a fixed frequency. While non-resonant converters have a lower efficiency compared to resonant converters, they are more reliable, cheaper to manufacture, and easier to control. Moreover, the simplicity of the design makes them suitable for low power applications.

In terms of efficiency, non-resonant converters have a peak efficiency of around 97%. This efficiency decreases with an increase in load current. In addition, their hard-switching mechanisms generate higher electromagnetic interference (EMI) than resonant converters.

Resonant Converters: High Efficiency and Lower EMI

Resonant converters, also known as soft-switching converters, work by resonating a tank circuit to switch the power using a variable frequency. This mechanism reduces EMI because the resonant circuit absorbs most of the switching energy. Resonant converters have a higher efficiency compared to non-resonant converters, and they can be used to improve the power factor.

However, resonant converters have higher switching loss during light load conditions, which affects their efficiency. Furthermore, they are more expensive to manufacture due to their complex design and require careful control for a stable operation.

Which One is Better?

It depends on the application. Non-resonant converters are ideal for low power applications that require a simple and cost-effective design. On the other hand, resonant converters are ideal for high power applications that require a high-efficiency design and lower EMI. Therefore, the choice between resonant and non-resonant converters depends on the specific needs of the application.

Conclusion

In this post, we compared resonant and non-resonant converters in integrated circuits. While resonant converters offer higher efficiency and lower EMI, they are more complex and expensive to manufacture. Non-resonant converters, while less efficient, are more reliable, cost-effective, and better suited for low power applications. As always, it comes down to the specific needs of the application.

References

Here are the references we used for this post:

• Agarwal, V. (2013). Power electronics: Devices, circuits, and applications. Tata McGraw-Hill Education.
• Rashid, M. (2016). Power electronics: circuits, devices, and applications. Pearson.
• Razavi, B. (2016). Fundamentals of microelectronics. John Wiley & Sons.