A ZCS Current-Fed Full-Bridge PWM Converter With Self-Adaptable Soft-Switching Snubber Energy
TL;DR: By studying the small-signal characteristics of the entire system, a current-controlled feedback control circuit has been implemented with a DSP and the experimental results measured on a 5-kW, 530-V/15-kV prototype confirms the advantages of the proposed converter.
Abstract: A new soft-switched, current-driven full-bridge converter is presented. The structure utilizes a simple snubber formed by two unidirectional switches and a capacitor to realize soft-switching operation over a wide line and load range. All primary-side switches are operated with zero-current switching (ZCS) and the snubber switches are operated with zero-voltage switching. The energy used for soft-switching is self-adaptable. For a given input current, the snubber capacitor is charged to the minimum required energy for ZCS of the switches. Thus, less resonant energy is used and the conduction loss can be kept minimal. The cyclical switching operation and control of the converter will be discussed. By compromising the voltage stress on the switches and loss of duty cycle (i.e., the regulation range), an optimized design procedure of the circuit elements is derived. The input voltage range and load variation that ensure both output voltage regulation and soft switching are determined. By studying the small-signal characteristics of the entire system, a current-controlled feedback control circuit has been implemented with a DSP. The experimental results measured on a 5-kW, 530-V/15-kV prototype confirms the advantages of the proposed converter.
Citations
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors comprehensively review and classify various step-up dc-dc converters based on their characteristics and voltage-boosting techniques, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these voltage boosting techniques and associated converters.
Abstract: DC–DC converters with voltage boost capability are widely used in a large number of power conversion applications, from fraction-of-volt to tens of thousands of volts at power levels from milliwatts to megawatts. The literature has reported on various voltage-boosting techniques, in which fundamental energy storing elements (inductors and capacitors) and/or transformers in conjunction with switch(es) and diode(s) are utilized in the circuit. These techniques include switched capacitor (charge pump), voltage multiplier, switched inductor/voltage lift, magnetic coupling, and multistage/-level, and each has its own merits and demerits depending on application, in terms of cost, complexity, power density, reliability, and efficiency. To meet the growing demand for such applications, new power converter topologies that use the above voltage-boosting techniques, as well as some active and passive components, are continuously being proposed. The permutations and combinations of the various voltage-boosting techniques with additional components in a circuit allow for numerous new topologies and configurations, which are often confusing and difficult to follow. Therefore, to present a clear picture on the general law and framework of the development of next-generation step-up dc–dc converters, this paper aims to comprehensively review and classify various step-up dc–dc converters based on their characteristics and voltage-boosting techniques. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of these voltage-boosting techniques and associated converters are discussed in detail. Finally, broad applications of dc–dc converters are presented and summarized with comparative study of different voltage-boosting techniques.
1,230 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a thorough review on power DC/DC converters with MPPT algorithm is presented, and the design and optimization of different parameters are addressed systematically, while future challenges and focusing trends are briefly described.
Abstract: Over the last few decennia, power DC/DC converters have been the subject of great interest due to its extensive increment of utilization in different applications. A thorough review on recent developed power DC/DC converters is presented in this paper. The study is focused on the topologies in different applications such as renewable energy, automobile, high-voltage and medium-voltage DC power systems, telecommunication, etc. In addition, an overview of the modulation techniques, the state-of-the-art of control strategies of well-established converters are discussed. Photovoltaic (PV) systems as the noticeable renewable energy resources generally suffer from poor conversion efficiency with instability and intermittent characteristics. Therefore, DC/DC converter with Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) algorithm is essential to ensure maximum available power harnessed from the PV. Important features of DC/DC converters with MPPT are also figured with various performances. Furthermore, the design and optimization of different parameters are addressed systematically. Finally, the researcher’s future challenges and focusing trends are briefly described. For the next-generation converters design and applications, these are considered in details, and will provide useful framework and point of references.
193 citations
TL;DR: This paper begins with a review of the operation of the ZVS active-clamp converter and that of ZCS converters in general; the advantages and disadvantages of each approach are stated; and a comparison of the performance of the two converters is made.
Abstract: Pulse width modulation (PWM) current-fed full-bridge dc-dc boost converters are typically used in applications where the output voltage is considerably higher than the input voltage. In this paper, a comparison is made between two converter topologies of this type-the standard zero-voltage switching (ZVS) active-clamp topology and a new zero-current switching (ZCS) topology. This paper begins with a review of the operation of the ZVS active-clamp converter and that of ZCS converters in general; the advantages and disadvantages of each approach are stated. A new ZCS-PWM current-fed dc-dc boost full-bridge converter is then introduced. The operation of the new converter is explained and analyzed, and a procedure for the design of its key components is given and demonstrated with an example. Experimental results obtained from a prototype of a ZVS active-clamp converter and the new ZCS converter are presented. Finally, a comparison of the performance of the two converters is made and conclusion based on this comparison is stated.
133 citations
Cites background from "A ZCS Current-Fed Full-Bridge PWM C..."
...and the losses in the converter [11]–[19]....
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...compared to the fixed-frequency resonant converters, but this current is still significant and contributes to a significant amount of losses [16]–[19]....
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TL;DR: In this paper, a common duty-ratio control scheme is proposed for an ISOP converter consisting of multiple phase-shift full-bridge (PS-FB) converter modules, which achieves stable sharing of the input voltage and load current by applying a shared duty ratio to all converter modules without a dedicated input voltage sharing controller.
Abstract: Input-series output-parallel (ISOP)-connected converters allow the use of low-voltage and low-power converter modules for high input-voltage and high-power applications. Further, the use of high-frequency, low-voltage MOSFETs, which are optimized for very low on-resistance, is enabled, resulting in lower conduction losses and higher power density. In this paper, a common-duty-ratio control scheme is proposed for an ISOP converter consisting of multiple phase-shift full-bridge (PS-FB) converter modules. The proposed control method achieves stable sharing of the input voltage and load current by applying a common duty ratio to all converter modules, without a dedicated input-voltage sharing controller. The control method is analyzed by using both a small-signal averaged model and a steady-state dc model of the ISOP converter, and it is concluded that the equal sharing of input voltage and load current among converter modules can be achieved through reducing the mismatches in various module parameters, which is practically achievable. The stability and performance of the control scheme are verified by Saber simulation and a 500 W experimental prototype consisting of two PS-FB converter modules.
120 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a comprehensive comparative evaluation of CF-IBDCs is presented in terms of costs, losses, weight, volume, and power density for the given system specifications and design constraints.
Abstract: Renewable energy generations have been attracting sustained attentions in academic and industry. Current-fed-isolated-bidirectional dc/dc converters (CF-IBDCs) are widely adopted in low-voltage high-current applications such as solar photovoltaic fuel cell with energy storage. This paper gives an overview and a comprehensive comparative evaluation of CF-IBDCs. The active clamped, dual half-bridge, L-L type dual active bridge, resonant-type, naturally clamped, and other type topologies of CF-IBDCs are investigated, analyzed, and compared regarding their circuit topological structures, operation characteristics, modulation methods, and soft-switching technologies. In addition, component cost models and loss models of converters are deduced and presented. On this basis, quantitative and comprehensive performance comparison of seven typical CF-IBDC topologies selected from each type is conducted in terms of costs, losses, weight, volume, and power density for the given system specifications and design constraints. Finally, the application range of different CF-IBDCs and future trend are presented to encourage further development.
94 citations
References
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11 Mar 1990
TL;DR: In this article, a steady-state analysis is presented with complete characterization of the converter operation and the design procedures based on the analysis are presented and the various losses in the circuit assessed.
Abstract: A steady-state analysis is presented with complete characterization of the converter operation. A small-signal model of the converter is established. The design procedures based on the analysis are presented and the various losses in the circuit assessed. Critical design considerations for a high-power, high-voltage application are analyzed. The results of the analysis are verified using a high-voltage. 2 kW prototype. >
875 citations
"A ZCS Current-Fed Full-Bridge PWM C..." refers background in this paper
...In ZVS FB converters, phase-shift control strategy allows the primary-side switches to operate under a zero-voltage condition [1]–[3]....
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11 Jun 1990
TL;DR: In this article, the authors presented an improved soft-switching full-bridge converter which is especially suitable for high-power application (e.g. more than 1 kW output) because of its inherently high efficiency.
Abstract: The authors present an improved soft-switching full-bridge converter which is especially suitable for high-power application (e.g. more than 1 kW output) because of its inherently high efficiency. The addition of an external commutating inductor and two clamp diodes to the phase-shifted PWM (pulse width modulation) full-bridge DC-DC converter substantially reduced the switching losses of the transistors and the rectifier diodes, under all loading conditions. The authors analyze the conditions for lossless transitions, discuss the effect of the added components on the operation of the converter, and present practical considerations and test results for a 1.5 kW converter with 100 kHz clock frequency. The converter has an efficiency above 95% at 60 V output, is free from voltage overshoots, and exhibits well-controlled transitions for all switch and rectifier voltages and currents. >
426 citations
13 Mar 1989
TL;DR: In this paper, a prototype high power-density converter for distributed power supply systems is presented, which uses a phase-shifted pulse-width modulation technique to avoid primary-side switching losses.
Abstract: The analysis, design, and performance are discussed of a prototype high power-density converter suitable for use in the front-end of a distributed power supply system. The system delivers 1 kW to a regulated 40 V distribution bus from the rectified utility line. Its switching frequency is 500 kHz, and it uses a phase-shifted pulse-width modulation technique to avoid primary-side switching losses. The converter's topology is a standard power MOSFET H-bridge that drives a transformer. The output of this transformer is rectified by a full bridge of Schottky diodes. The switches of this forward converter are operated in a fixed-frequency PWM mode. The dominant parasitic elements are the transformer's leakage inductor, the MOSFETs' output capacitors, and the rectifiers' junction capacitors. Of these three groups of parasitic elements, only the leakage inductors do not result in a direct switching loss. To avoid MOSFET switching losses, the converter is controlled with a special gate-drive pattern that permits full recovery of the MOSFETs' capacitive energy. At the same time this drive scheme gives zero-voltage switching for the MOSFETs. The converter's efficiency at full load approaches 90%. >
353 citations
20 Jun 1994
TL;DR: In this paper, a zero-voltage and zero-current-switching (ZVZCS) full-bridge (FB) PWM converter is proposed to overcome the limitations of the ZVS-FB-PWM converter such as high circulating energy, loss of duty cycle, and limited ZVS load range for the lagging-leg switches.
Abstract: A novel zero-voltage and zero-current-switching (ZVZCS) full-bridge (FB) pulse-width modulated (PWM) converter is proposed. The new converter overcomes the limitations of the zero-voltage-switching (ZVS)-FB-PWM converter, such as high circulating energy, loss of duty cycle, and limited ZVS load range for the lagging-leg switches. By using the DC blocking capacitor and adding a saturable inductor, the primary current during the freewheeling period is reduced to zero, allowing the lagging-leg switches to be operated with zero-current-switching (ZCS). Meanwhile, the leading-leg switches are still operated with ZVS. The new converter is attractive for high-voltage (400-800 V), high-power (2-10 kW) applications where IGBTs are predominantly used as the power switches. The principle of operation, features, and design considerations of the new converter are described and verified on a 2-kW, 100-kHz, IGBT-based experimental circuit.
307 citations
"A ZCS Current-Fed Full-Bridge PWM C..." refers background in this paper
...To bring and keep the primary current to zero before finishing the turnON/turn-OFF process, a number of passive and active solutions have been proposed [20]–[30], at the expense of either higher circuit complexity and/or overvoltage across the rectifier....
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TL;DR: In this article, a zero-voltage and zero-current switching (ZVZCS) three-level DC/DC converter is presented, which uses a phase shift control with a flying capacitor in the primary side to achieve ZVS for the outer switches.
Abstract: This paper presents a novel zero-voltage and zero-current switching (ZVZCS) three-level DC/DC converter. This converter overcomes the drawbacks presented by the conventional zero-voltage switching (ZVS) three-level converter, such as high circulating energy, severe parasitic ringing on the rectifier diodes, and limited ZVS load range for the inner switches. The converter presented in this paper uses a phase-shift control with a flying capacitor in the primary side to achieve ZVS for the outer switches. Additionally, the converter uses an auxiliary circuit to reset the primary current during the freewheeling stage to achieve zero-current switching (ZCS) for the inner switches. The principle of operation and the DC characteristics of the new converter are analyzed and verified on a 6 kW, 100 kHz experimental prototype.
258 citations