Abstract :
The paper first examines the general principles of the operation of transistor d.c./d.c. convertors and d.c./a.c. inverters, and reviews progress in the circuit design of such equipment. It then outlines the major practical problems encountered in this application of transistors, classifying them into two categories, namely (a) problems (such as the limitation of maximum power dissipation) which are fundamental to the transistor as a device, and which can be met only by improvement in the performance characteristics of the transistor; (b) problems (such as the destructive transients due to transformer leakage inductance) which can be solved or alleviated by careful design of equipment using currently available transistors. The paper then deals with each of these problems. It examines the material factors of each case and discusses the various means which can be adopted to deal with them.
