Power Electronic Transformer Technology for Traction Applications – An Overview

Combining modern high-power semiconductor devices with constantly improving magnetic materials opens up the possibility to replace bulky low-frequency transformers with a new medium voltage medium frequency conversion structure. While there are still challenges to be addressed related to these so called power electronic transformers, a steadily increasing development effort is evident and considered in various contexts. Traction applications seem to be the first ones where proliferation of these galvanically isolated power electronic converters is expected. In this application field, substantial weight and volume reduction can be achieved while providing additional functionality at the same time. In this paper a survey of recent R&D efforts in this field is presented.