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Modular multilevel converters (MMCs) have become increasingly interesting in dc-dc applications, as there is a growing demand for dc-dc converters in high-voltage applications. Power electronics transformers can be used for high step-down ratio dc-dc power conversion, with high power rating and efficiency achieved. However, this arrangement requires a large number of high isolation voltage transformers and a complicated balancing control scheme. To provide a simple solution with inherent voltage balancing, this paper presents a new resonant MMC topology for dc-dc conversion. The proposed converter achieves high-voltage step-down ratio depending on the number of submodules. The converter also exhibits simplicity and scalability with no necessary requirement of high-voltage isolation transformers. By using phase-shift control, a much higher converter operating frequency is achieved compared to the switching frequency. Resonant conversion is achieved between the series inductor and submodule capacitors. The operation principle and theoretical analysis are presented in this paper, which have been verified by experimental results based on a bench-scale prototype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a new transformerless single-stage single-switch (S4) converter which integrates a buck-type power factor correction cell with a buck-type dc-dc output cell in a special way. The proposed converter preserves the advantages of existing transformerless S4 converters, such as the low voltage stress across the dc-link capacitor, low current stress of the switch, and high step-down input-to-output voltage. Moreover, the proposed converter provides a new attractive feature, i.e., its input power factor always keeps constant even when the line- and load-conditions vary. These characteristics make the proposed converter cost-efficient, easy-to-design, and suitable for the low-power and nonisolated applications. The principle and analysis of the proposed converter are presented in this paper, and a design example is also given to show the validity of analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frequently considered one of the promising solutions for grid connection of the photovoltaic (PV) power generation system, module-integrated converters have been the focus of numerous papers. Most of the proposed approaches thus far have relied on the use of series string of the dc-dc converter to create a high-voltage string connected to the dc-ac inverter. The boost converter is better in this application. However, under inhomogeneous irradiation, the power generated by each PV module and the output dc voltage of each boost become unbalanced so that the output currents of each boost are balanced and equal to the string current. In this case, the boost converter cannot always deliver all the power from a mixture of shaded panels and those delivering full power. In this paper, a nondissipative string current diverter is proposed to overcome this problem. One important feature of the proposed circuit herein is the ability to effectively decouple each converter from the rest of the string, making it insensitive to change in the string current. Hence, it is possible to obtain the maximum power from the PV module with the maximum power point tracking algorithm implemented on each dc-dc converter and to do so at the optimum efficiency. The simulation and experimental results verify that the proposed topology exhibits notable performances despite inhomogeneous irradiation. On the other hand, the string current diverter circuit is very easy to control and does not operate without inhomogeneous irradiation, so the topology efficiency is improved for any type of irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the design and performance of a 6-kW, full-bridge, bidirectional isolated dc-dc converter using a 20-kHz transformer for a 53.2-V, 2-kWh lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery energy storage system. The dc voltage at the high-voltage side is controlled from 305 to 355 V, as the battery voltage at the low-voltage side (LVS) varies from 50 to 59 V. The maximal efficiency of the dc-dc converter is measured to be 96.0% during battery charging, and 96.9% during battery discharging. Moreover, this paper analyzes the effect of unavoidable dc-bias currents on the magnetic-flux saturation of the transformer. Finally, it provides the dc-dc converter loss breakdown with more focus on the LVS converter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In power electronics applications, magnetic components are often subjected to nonsinusoidal waveforms, variable frequencies, and dc bias conditions. These operating conditions generate different losses in the core compared to sinusoidal losses provided by manufacturers. In the conception and design stage, lack of precise losses diagnosis has unacceptable effects on system's efficiency, reliability, and power consumption. Since virtual prototyping is used to predict and improve system's behavior before realization, losses and behavior prediction of components is possible. Circuit simulators and their compatible components models are required. This paper is summarized by proposing nonlinear dynamic model of powdered material magnetic core for use in circuit simulators. It includes the material's nonlinear hysteresis behavior with accurate winding and core modeling. The magnetic component model is implemented in circuit simulation software “Simplorer” using VHDL-AMS modeling language. Waveforms and losses of a powder core inductor in a buck converter application are simulated and compared to measured ones. The model is validated for different ripple currents, different loads, and a wide frequency range. DC bias is taken into account in both continuous and discontinuous conduction modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the general design of a battery buffer system (BBS) consisting of a dc/dc converter and electric double layer capacitors for an electric vehicle is presented. This is intended to save the regenerative braking energy and to support the battery during acceleration. The design of a multiphase converter in interleaved operation with nonideal coupled inductors is stated to minimize volume and power losses while maintaining given current ripple limitations. A reduced sensor current-sharing control method is developed and its correct choice of the sensor position is explained. The peak efficiency of the designed and built converter can be measured to nearly 99%. The corresponding BBS is implemented in a lead-acid battery powered electric lift truck propulsion system. The system operation with and without the BBS is compared to examine the behavior and the overall efficiency. It can be shown that the traction battery stress can be strictly reduced as well as the temperature rise in the battery. Furthermore, the efficiency can be increased in the range of 5-6%. The battery's lifetime improvement is estimated by means of the difference in the temperature rise to approximately 20%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the future, new aspects from decentralized generation using different dc voltage levels are expected to influence the general concept of power exchange. Converter are needed to adapt the voltage between low voltage (LV), medium voltage (MV), and high voltage (HV). In this paper, a galvanic isolated bidirectional dc/dc converter based on the modular multilevel converter is studied, with a large potential for secure and flexible dc power flow control. The use of medium frequency transformation allows savings in copper and iron. A fundamental frequency modulation method is introduced for the presented converter, that enables variable stepup or step-down between primary and secondary dc voltage in discrete steps. The balancing mechanism of the internal power storage components is explained and verified by simulation and experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of optimal electromagnetic compatibility filters for converters used in electrical networks requires the precise knowledge of input and output terminal impedances. For this reason, the knowledge of the network impedance, including all connected converters, is determined. This paper proposes a study of both the common mode (CM) and the differential mode (DM) impedances of modern embedded networks including cables and several converters. Using a dc network for illustration, we determine the impedance taking into account all operating states of a converter (online or offline operations). Without any restrictions, a theoretical model is developed to express the CM and DM impedances using a switching function and a Fourier series decomposition. An experimental validation has been carried out in a frequency range from a few Hertz up to 80 MHz. Our model has then been used in a simple network, so as to compute the network impedance. Measurements have confirmed the proposed model accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first stage of a battery charger in electric vehicles is a power factor correction (PFC) circuit, which creates a second harmonic in the dc link. This harmonic is typically filtered through a bulky dc-link capacitor. In the conventional battery chargers, another dc/dc stage is utilized to regulate the battery current. In this paper, the second harmonic in the dc link is analyzed in detail and a new load current compensation technique is proposed. The proposed technique replaces the second stage dc/dc converter with a bidirectional dc/dc converter connected in parallel with the load, and requires a secondary energy source, i.e., a small-size capacitor. The capacitor injects 180° phase-shifted second harmonic current to the dc link. Thus, the dc-link capacitor can be reduced significantly as it is only sized for high-frequency ripples rather than being sized for low-frequency content. The proposed method is generalized for resistive and battery loads with voltage- and current-source PFC circuits. A 360 W prototype is developed to experimentally verify the proposed technique. A 72 V/10 A·h battery module is charged by filtering an oscillating power of 360 W using a two-quadrant bidirectional dc/dc converter and an UC module, demonstrating a peak charging current of 16 A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing share of renewable and decentralized power sources, the need for power electronics and especially for efficient high-frequency high-power dc-dc converters is expected to grow. The three-phase dual-active bridge is a promising technology, as it has a high-power density and inherently features galvanic isolation. A highly dynamic method to control the current and thus the transferred power for this converter type has recently been published. The published approach is easy to implement and gives excellent results for transformers with a high transient time constant, i.e., low winding resistance. However, the method can be improved for transformers with increased winding resistance. This paper suggests two approaches that reach steady state in one-third of a switching period and half a switching period, respectively. Independent of the winding resistance, the suggested control schemes give superior results and oscillations of the dc current are completely eliminated. The control schemes are investigated in detail and derived mathematically. These exact solutions are linearized for ease of implementation in digital control circuitry. Simulations and an experimental verification on a laboratory prototype confirm the outstanding performance of the developed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pulse dropping switching technique (PDT) has been presented in this paper to accomplish variable conversion ratio (CR) in a multilevel modular capacitor-clamped dc-dc converter in the step-up conversion mode. The switching pattern is generated by comparing a triangular wave with a rectangular wave, and a proper output voltage regulation can be obtained by controlling the relative frequency and amplitude of these two waveforms. A state-space modeling technique has been applied here to estimate the variation in equivalent output resistance (EOR) for different operating conditions of the PDT. The EOR can be varied in a wide range without changing the operating frequency of the converter, and thereby the PDT enhances the degrees of freedom to accomplish voltage regulation in a two-phase switched-capacitor converter. Slow-switching limit of the converter has been derived to define the boundary of the EOR. Different challenges and limitations of the proposed modulation scheme has been discussed in detail, and the proposed analysis has been verified by comparing the analytical expressions with the simulation and experimental results for different switching frequencies, modulation indices, and number of active modules. In addition, variations in the CR, efficiency and ripple voltage for different number of active modules and switching conditions have been described in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses two approaches to multiphase nonisolated dc-dc converter design. An approach based on independent phases is directly compared to an approach using coupled phases. The comparison is performed through theoretical analysis of respective conversion functions, input and output filter requirements, and required input inductor size. Three-dimensional (3-D) high-power-density computer aided design (CAD) models and full-scale 56 kW prototypes based on both approaches were designed, built, and experimentally compared. As expected, the approach with independent phases has a considerable advantage regarding the low-power conversion efficiency where the efficiency can be up to 2% higher than with the coupled approach. On the other hand, the design with coupled inductors can reach power density as high as two times that of the independent phase design (87 kW/L versus 44.2 kW/L). Therefore, the use of coupled inductors may be very beneficial for space critical applications. In case of the electric vehicle power train, both factors may be very important and the suitable approach should be chosen based on system design priorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an isolated on-board vehicular battery charger that utilizes silicon carbide (SiC) power devices to achieve high density and high efficiency for application in electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid EVs (PHEVs). The proposed level 2 charger has a two-stage architecture where the first stage is a bridgeless boost ac-dc converter and the second stage is a phase-shifted full-bridge isolated dc-dc converter. The operation of both topologies is presented and the specific advantages gained through the use of SiC power devices are discussed. The design of power stage components, the packaging of the multichip power module, and the system-level packaging is presented with a primary focus on system density and a secondary focus on system efficiency. In this work, a hardware prototype is developed and a peak system efficiency of 95% is measured while operating both power stages with a switching frequency of 200 kHz. A maximum output power of 6.1 kW results in a volumetric power density of 5.0 kW/L and a gravimetric power density of 3.8 kW/kg when considering the volume and mass of the system including a case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peak current mode bifrequency (PCM-BF) control, a novel control technique for switching dc-dc converters in the discontinuous conduction mode (DCM), is proposed in this paper. It realizes output voltage regulation by employing high- and low-frequency control pulses with preset switching frequencies. At the beginning of each control pulse cycle, the output voltage is sampled and compared with reference voltage to determine whether high- or low-frequency control pulse should be generated as control pulse. Compared with conventional pulse-width-modulation-based PCM control (hereafter called PCM-PWM), which realizes output voltage regulation by adjusting the duty ratio of the control pulse cycle by cycle, the PCM-BF control is simple, cost effective, and enjoys fast transient response. Moreover, more low-frequency control pulses are generated for light load, which improve the power conversion efficiency at light load. Besides, high- and low-frequency control pulses with different switching frequencies spread the spectrum over discrete frequencies, resulting in low electromagnetic interference. A buck converter operating in the DCM is taken as an example to illustrate the applications and benefits of the PCM-BF control technique. Simulation and experimental results are presented to verify the analytical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A digital-control single-inductor triple-output (SITO) dc-dc converter is presented in this paper. The dc-dc converter features a proposed pre-sub-period inductor-current control that can deliver more load-current by individual subconverter and reduce crossregulation among different subconverters simultaneously. The proposed digital-control SITO dc-dc converter is implemented by a commercial 0.35-μm CMOS process. The chip area is 1600 μm × 1700 μm. The dc-dc converter is capable to be configured as two buck subconverters and one boost subconverter. The measured maximum power efficiency is 83.5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new single-switch soft-switching isolated converter is introduced. In the proposed converter, the transformer parasitic elements are used as resonant elements to transfer energy and to attain soft-switching condition. The proposed converter does not require output inductor just like the flyback converter, and the transformer core does not store energy just like the forward converter. The proposed converter is analyzed and its advantages over conventional converters are discussed. Also, experimental results are presented to justify the validity of theoretical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an active technique to reconstruct and balance the phase currents in multiphase dc-dc converters implementing both of voltage- and current-mode controls. Only one current sensor at the dc link is required to measure and reconstruct the phase currents. Multiple current samples in the pulsewidth modulation switching period are synchronized with the carrier waveforms to actively reconstruct the phase currents using a simple active balancing algorithm that is implemented in a digital controller. The proposed technique improves system performance, stability, and efficiency, and prevents inductor saturation. A 5-kW four-phase dc-dc converter prototype for battery charging application is built to experimentally verify the proposed algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a novel transformerless grid-connected power converter with negative grounding for a photovoltaic generation system. The negative terminal of the solar cell array can be directly connected to the ground in the proposed grid-connected power converter to avoid the transparent conducting oxide corrosion that occurs in some types of thin-film solar cell array. The proposed grid-connected power converter consists of a dc-dc power converter and a dc-ac inverter. The salient features of the proposed power converter are that some power electronic switches are simultaneously used in both the dc-dc power converter and dc-ac inverter, and only two power electronic switches operate at high switching frequency at the same time (one is in the dc-dc power converter and the other is in the dc-ac inverter). The leakage current of the photovoltaic generation system is reduced because the negative terminal of the solar cell array is connected directly to the ground. Finally, a prototype was developed to verify the performance of the proposed grid-connected power converter. The experimental results show that the performance of the proposed grid-connected power converter is as expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the photovoltaic (PV) power-generation market, the ac PV module has shown obvious growth. However, a high voltage gain converter is essential for the module's grid connection through a dc-ac inverter. This paper proposes a converter that employs a floating active switch to isolate energy from the PV panel when the ac module is off; this particular design protects installers and users from electrical hazards. Without extreme duty ratios and the numerous turns-ratios of a coupled inductor, this converter achieves a high step-up voltage-conversion ratio; the leakage inductor energy of the coupled inductor is efficiently recycled to the load. These features explain the module's high-efficiency performance. The detailed operating principles and steady-state analyses of continuous, discontinuous, and boundary conduction modes are described. A 15 V input voltage, 200 V output voltage, and 100 W output power prototype circuit of the proposed converter has been implemented; its maximum efficiency is up to 95.3% and full-load efficiency is 92.3%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a new method for stability analysis of a bidirectional dual full-bridge dc-dc converter with triple phase-shift control under arbitrary parameter changes. The present analysis makes the stability determination of these power converters more systematic and precise than the existing methods in this field, which are largely based on simulation. Nonlinear and periodic operation of the bidirectional converter is presented including the control circuit. Using the working theory, the converter operation is separated into several stages. Equivalent circuits and state equations are developed for each stage. The Lyapunov function method is used to determine the stability of the converter in every stage. Justification is provided for the absence of abrupt changes of the state variables or infinite noise at the interface of different stages. The stability of the bidirectional converter is determined theoretically by integrating these concepts. Some simulation results are provided to validate the developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of photovoltaic (PV) modules in buildings causes problems with shadows that can strongly reduce the energy produced by these systems. Moreover, most PV modules are designed for stand-alone applications that have output voltage adapted to lead batteries. Indeed, this historical sizing of PV modules can be discussed in the case of grid-connected systems. In this paper, a cascaded dc/dc converter based on boost chopper is proposed. First, the advantages and the limits of this topology will be shown. Second, this topology will be optimized to maximize the efficiency or minimize the volume. The originality of this optimization is that the converters' parameters and the arrangement of the PV cells are variable parameters. Indeed, the optimization is done on the entire system. To realize these optimizations, semiempiric models of losses and volumes of different components of a boost chopper were developed. The optimization uses a successive quadratic programming algorithm. Considering the optimization results over the whole range of the specifications, a flexible solution is developed and experimental results are presented. Finally, optimized topologies connected to several PV are evaluated at different situations of typical shadows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an alternative to the traditional dc-dc converter interfacing the battery with the inverter dc bus in plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) traction drives. The boost converter used in commercial HEVs meets with obstacles when it comes to upgrading the power rating and achieving high efficiency while downsizing the converter. A four-level flying-capacitor dc-dc converter is explored that can overcome these drawbacks by dramatically reducing the inductance requirement. A special case of the four-level converter, the 3X dc-dc converter, operates at three discrete output/input voltage ratios, thus further reducing the inductance requirement to a minimal value (almost zero). When further compared to its switched-capacitor dc-dc converter counterparts, the 3X dc-dc converter can be operated at variable output/input voltage ratios without sacrificing efficiency, and it lowers the capacitance requirement by utilizing the parasitic inductance. The operating principle, current ripple analysis, the transient control to limit the inrush current, and power loss analysis are introduced. Experimental results of a 55-kW prototype are provided to demonstrate the principle and analysis of this topology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new technique for controlling dc-dc resonant converters is investigated. A variable inductance is used to control and regulate the dc output voltage maintaining constant switching frequency for the half-bridge transistors. The output voltage characteristics of the series resonant and parallel resonant converters under the proposed magnetic control are obtained and analyzed. In order to evaluate the proposed technique, a laboratory prototype for a 48 V-input 5 V/10 A-output 500 kHz parallel resonant converter is presented. A methodology for obtaining the converter dynamic response using a step response test is carried out. From the dynamic response, a compensator for operating the converter at closed loop is developed and tested in the laboratory. The results prove that the proposed technique is suitable for controling resonant inverters at constant frequency using a low-cost half-bridge inverter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new 16-phase interleaved bidirectional dc/dc converter is developed featuring smaller input/output filters, faster dynamic response and lower device stress than conventional designs, for hybrid vehicle applications. The converter is connected between the ultracapacitor (UC) pack and the battery pack in a multisource energy storage system of a hybrid vehicle. Typically, multiphase interleaved converters require a current control loop in each phase to avoid imbalanced current between phases. This increases system cost and control complexity. In this paper, in order to minimize imbalance currents and remove the current control loop in each phase, the converter is designed to operate in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). The high current ripple associated with DCM operation is then alleviated by interleaving. The design, construction, and testing of an experimental hardware prototype is presented, with the test results included. Finally, a novel soft switch topology for DCM operation is proposed for future research, to achieve zero-voltage switching (ZVS), or zero-current switching (ZCS) in all transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]