Two-Input Single-Output Boost Converter with Fault Tolerant Operation

Abstract

The need for multi-input DC-DC converters is highly demanded in the context of the integration of different energy sources. When integrating several energy sources, such as batteries, solar PV arrays, fuel cells, etc., multi-input DC-DC converters preferred over multiple single-input DC-DC converters. The vast majority of MISO converters in use today only have one mode of operation, which is conventional operation using all sources. Very few MISO topologies have been presented with fault-tolerant capability. In this work, a non-isolated two-input single-output (MISO) boost converter is investigated for low-voltage DC (LVDC) applications with fault tolerant capability. The presented converter works in three modes, such as DC sources of equal values, DC sources of unequal values, and one of the DC sources that is faulty or out of order. The converter is simulated in a MATLAB/Simulink environment and experimentally validated using a scaled prototype. The outcomes demonstrate that the converter can integrate systems with two DC energy sources, accommodates DC sources of equal values, DC sources of unequal values, and works even when one of the DC sources is faulty or out of order. This work points out that the presented MISO converter would be an apt solution for integrating varying input voltage sources with fault-tolerant capability.