Reconfigurable Bidirectional Fully Modular DC–DC Converters Using Switched-Capacitor Modules

Abstract

A modular converter, due to its standardized product cycle, has the advantage of a low design, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance cost. In this article, a reconfigurable bidirectional fully modular converter using switched-capacitor (SC) modules is proposed. The change in the power rating and voltage gain of the converter is achievable with the change in the number and configuration of modules. A guideline of choosing the module topology is proposed to let SC modules be freely assembled to achieve different structures. To achieve modular converters with the minimized number of modules, a triangle configuration is presented. In this configuration, the number of parallel modules is adapted to the input current. In this way, the number of modules can be reduced at a high-voltage low-current stage. Experimental results verify that good current-sharing performance of the parallel SC modules in different configurations and operation modes is achievable. Experimental results also indicate that module paralleling (in these converters) could improve the power conversion efficiency of the individual module.