Design optimization of a Ćuk DC/DC converter based on reliability constraints

Öz Recently, power electronic converters have widely been used in various applications. This has led to concerns about the reliability of power converters and, as a result, their optimal design has attracted a lot of attention. However, the reliability-based optimal design of the Ćuk DC-DC converter has not yet been studied. A new methodology is presented here for the optimal design of the Ćuk converter based on reliability constraints. In this study, the converter is designed to minimize power losses in order to maximize the mean time to failure of the converter. A genetic algorithm is used as the optimization technique, resulting in the optimal duty cycle and switching frequency of the converter. Other parameters of the converter are selected to satisfy the desired electrical constraints. Finally, three scenarios along with simulation results are presented to verify the feasibility of the proposed design methodology. In addition, an experimental prototype is implemented to validate the proper operation of the converter.