Direct 400 V to 1 V converter for data center power supplies using GaN FETs

Energy efficiency of typical data centers is less than 50% where more than half of the power is consumed during power conversion, distribution, cooling, etc. In this paper, a single power stage architecture that converts 400 V to 1 V directly targeting high system efficiency is proposed. A phase shift full bridge (PSFB) DC/DC converter based input series and output parallel structure (ISOP) is selected due to the high input voltage and large output current operation condition. The latest Gallium Nitride (GaN) FETs are implemented in the prototype circuit because of their low output junction capacitance and zero reverse recovery charge. The high frequency planar transformer is designed correspondingly with consideration of GaN FETs on the primary side. A prototype of the PSFB converter is designed, built, and tested. Preliminary experimental results are provided to verify the design.