ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an introduction to the conversion principles without going into unnecessary detail. It explains the operation of the forward converter, using the example of a direct off-line (mains-operated) switching regulator that employs a multiple-output forward converter as the power conversion engine. The chapter examines the operation principles of various types of square-wave power converters with transformer isolation. The transformer leakage inductance and heavy losses at high frequencies, on the other hand, are important factors limiting the upper switching frequency of power conversion circuits. The chapter considers the operation of the flyback converter. The transformer-coupled push-pull converter is functionally a push-pull version of the forward converter. Like a transformer-coupled push-pull converter, a half-bridge converter is effectively also a push-pull version of the forward converter. The chapter shows the circuit of a half-bridge converter and the idealized waveforms of the circuit for continuous-mode operation.
