Electromagnetic energy propagation in power electronic converters: Toward future electromagnetic integration

Historically: it came about that the analysis and design of the power elect ronic converter center around currents and voltages in the circuits. During the last decade, the electromagnetic character of power electronic convert ers became more important dire to the noise that the switches generates and electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards have been put in place to control the electromagnetic noise leve ls. In this contribution, it is argued that coming to grips with the electr omagnetic operation of switch-mode power conversion presents a barrier of k nowledge that will have to be crossed in order to achieve future meaningful innovation in switch-mode power conversion. Rigorous electromagnetic analy sis using realistic parameters are used to indicate important issues relati ng fundamental limits and technological paths for future generations of pow er electronic converters. Electromagnetic integration in three dimensions c reates new possibilities to increase power densities.