Survey of single-stage telecommunications rectifiers

With the perpetual increase in rectifier power density, small telecommunications installations with low power needs can now end up with oversized rectifiers. This is not economically sensible and thus there is a market need for a new low-cost low-power rectifier. This paper presents a topology survey aimed at evaluating topologies for use in a low-cost 500 W rectifier to fill this need. The IEC 61000-3-2 power quality standard specifies relatively large limits for this power level, so PFC can be compromised for cost reduction. The topology survey is thus focused on single-stage power factor correction topologies, which offer such a compromise while retaining the good output ripple regulation needed in a telecommunications rectifier. The two main types of single-stage topologies are discussed, along with a plan for further investigation and determination of a candidate for a prototype rectifier.