Circuit analysis and modeling of a soft-switching pulse power supply based on full-bridge inverter for DBD application

Abstract

Purpose How to use a simple and classical topology to provide a high-efficiency excitation voltage for dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) loads is one of the primary problems to be solved for DBD application fields. Design/methodology/approach To address the issue, a set of modes that can generate a high-efficiency pulse excitation voltage in a full-bridge inverter are adopted. With the set of modes, the unique equivalent circuit of DBD loads and the parasitic parameter of the step-up transformer can be fully used. Based on the set of modes, a control strategy for the full-bridge inverter is designed. To test the performance of the power supply, a simulation model is established and an experimental prototype is made with a DBD excimer lamp. Findings The simulation and experimental results show that not only a high-efficiency excitation voltage can be generated for the DBD load, but also the soft switching of all power switch is realized. Besides this, with the set of modes and the proposed control strategy, the inverter can operate in a high frequency. Compared with other types of power supplies, the power supply used in the paper can fully take advantage of the potential of the excimer lamp at the same input power. Originality/value This work considers that how to use a simple and classical topology to provide a high-efficiency excitation voltage for DBD loads is one of the primary problems to be solved for DBD application fields.