EMI Filter Re-Design in a SMPS with Inductor in Saturation

This paper analyzes the design issues of the input EMI (Electro-Magnetic Interference) filter's in a switching mode power supply where the power inductor is operated in saturation. Starting with a SMPS equipped with linear inductor, the input filter is firstly designed to comply with Standards. Then, a new inductor with a smaller core size is employed in the same SMPS to exploit saturation. The EMI filter is re-designed, taking into account the increase of EMI introduced by the non-linear operation of the inductor. Finally, the reduction of the inductor's size and cost is compared with the increased size and cost of the EMI filter.