Performance-based Experimental Characterization and Maximum Efficiency Point Detection of Power Inductors

This paper presents a novel approach to characterizing power inductors used in hard-switching power supplies. The proposed methodology introduces a new perspective on power inductor characterization, centered around the concept of performance-compliant operating areas. This new testing procedure provides practical insights into the behavior and performance of power inductors, facilitating faster comparative evaluations among candidate components for various applications. The procedure identifies the inductor Maximum Efficiency Point (iMEP) and tracks its locus in the domain of the operational parameters. The iMEP facilitates a straight recognition of the most convenient power inductors for a given application and of the most convenient applications for each power inductor. Experimental examples included in the paper demonstrate the reliability, efficacy, and practical benefits of this new approach to power inductor characterization.