Date of Graduation
8-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Electrical Engineering
Advisor/Mentor
Mantooth, Alan
Committee Member
Farnell, Chris
Second Committee Member
McCann, Roy
Keywords
Converter; High-Frequency; Power; Radar
Abstract
Modern radar systems and advanced electronics demand compact, efficient, and reliable power solutions capable of delivering multiple tightly regulated voltage rails under strict size, weight, power, and reliability (SWaP-R) constraints. This thesis presents the design, implementation, and validation of a high-frequency (460 kHz – 1 MHz), multi-output DC-DC converter for a mission?critical radar platform, addressing both integration and performance requirements. The first implementation, an isolated modular converter (IMC), utilizes isolated silicon?based DC-DC modules to deliver twelve isolated voltage outputs from a single input. This approach provided robust electrical isolation, simplified system integration, and minimized design risk, making it well-suited for early development and functional verification. The IMC system relies on each module’s internal regulation and does not employ external feedback or digital control. Building on lessons learned from the IMC, a custom multi-output converter was developed using high-frequency Gallium Nitride (GaN) devices and discrete buck and Ćuk topologies to generate both positive and negative rails. The advanced design incorporated a digital control framework using a Texas Instruments C2000 microcontroller to enable precise output regulation and compensation. The digital control architecture was established, and initial open-loop testing was completed within the project scope. Further refinement, including closed-loop tuning and comprehensive validation, is defined for future work. Both converter systems were tested for output regulation, EMI, and thermal performance, with system-level integration and evaluation conducted using the isolated modular converter. Results showed that the IMC system met all standards for regulation and reliability, enabling its integration with the radar, while the custom GaN-based converter was validated in hardware and positioned for future development and system integration. This work establishes a practical foundation for developing multi-output power supplies in demanding electronic systems and highlights the benefits and challenges of modular high frequency approaches. The results lay the groundwork for future integration of wide-bandgap devices and digital regulation in next-generation radar, aerospace, and sensing platforms.
Citation
Sutton, T. (2025). Design and Validation of a High-Frequency Multi-Output DC-DC Converter for Radar Power Applications. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/5951
