Single stage AC-DC power converter with flyback PFC and improved THD

摘要

A single-stage AC-DC power converter for powering a load at a substantially constant current, and related methods and systems. The AC-DC power converter includes a high power factor correction (PFC) circuit configured in a flyback topology and operating in transition mode. The flyback PFC circuit has a PFC controller and is configured to draw an input AC current from an AC power supply. The input AC current has a first total harmonic distortion (THD). The flyback PFC circuit outputs a DC current to the load. The PFC controller is configured to sense a rectified input voltage. By multiplying the rectified input voltage sensed by the PFC controller, the input AC current drawn by the flyback PFC circuit has a second, much improved THD, which is achievable without the need of an expensive PFC controller. The rectified input voltage sensed by the PFC controller is multiplied using a Zener diode ladder.