A three-winding high-frequency transformer characterization for multi-active bridge design

This paper sets out a systematic modeling approach for determining the parameters of a three-winding high-frequency transformer (3W-HFT) equivalent circuit. The aim is to mimic its electromagnetic and electrostatic behavior in a multi-active bridge design framework. Starting from a reference lumped elements circuit, the proposed methodology extracts the key transformer parameters. This is achieved by performing short-circuit and open-circuit tests in a range of frequencies between 20 Hz and 13 MHz using an impedance analyzer. The accuracy of the proposed methodology for modeling 3W-HFT has been verified by comparing the short and open circuit impedances evaluated by the proposed equivalent circuit with the experimental ones, resulting in a significant overlap. Furthermore, a co-simulation model developed using MATLAB and PLECS software is presented, and the results exhibit a significant matching with the experimental data, validating the proposed modeling methodology.