Conventional Resonant Converter Research Articles

A Power Self-Balanced High Step-Down Medium Voltage DC Converter With Expandable Soft-Switching Range

This paper proposed a power self-balanced high step-down medium voltage dc converter with expandable soft-switching range. The proposed one features the input voltage self-balance of each submodule and the current self-balance of each MOSFET, due to the sub-modules transmitting the same power through LC-coupled branches. The LC-coupled branch provides multiple direct AC power paths from medium voltage input to load, eliminating the losses caused by conventional multi-stage transmission. Each submodule of the proposed converter is a soft-switching unit that uses an auxiliary inductor to achieve soft switching, which reduces the resonant current and facilitates the expansion of the number of modules, without redesigning the transformer, instead of the conventional resonant converter that reduces the transformer magnetizing inductance to achieve soft-switching. Moreover, an auxiliary power supply scheme for the proposed converter is provided, which is used to solve the problem of difficult startup of the medium voltage DC converter, where the negative impedance characteristics of the series-connected auxiliary power supply are suppressed without the need for lossy voltage sharing resistors. A prototype with 1kV dc input and 100V/1kW output is built to verify the feasibility of the proposed topology.

Frequency‐adapted hybrid modulation strategy of resonant converter with narrow frequency range

SummaryResonant converters have been widely applied in many fields, such as electric vehicles, renewable energy sources, and switch‐mode power supply. Conventional resonant converters generally adopt pulse frequency modulation (PFM), which would cause an extremely wide frequency variation range under wide output applications. However, it would lead to high electromagnetic interference (EMI), low utilization of magnetic components, and loss of soft switching features. For catering to wide output range applications, this paper proposes a self‐adaptive narrow frequency range PFM and asymmetrical voltage‐cancelation hybrid modulation strategy to solve the above problem. The advantages of the proposed strategy include (1) narrow frequency variation range; (2) self‐adaptive shift frequency; and (3) full process achievement of zero voltage switch. The modulation strategy and operational principle and performance analysis of the proposed method are given. Eventually, a series resonant converters–based experimental platform was implemented to verify the proposed strategy.

A Novel Bidirectional Wider Range of Boost-Buck Three-Level LCC Resonant Converter as an Energy Link

In order to maintain different voltage levels between the front and rear dc terminal bus derived from new energy industry, a novel bidirectional wider range of boost-buck three-level LCC resonant converter as an energy link is proposed by combining the LCC resonant tank module with a particular three-level coupling cascaded neutral point clamping active bridges, which is composed of two three-level neutral point clamping bridge arms. Furthermore, the converter can, respectively, establish forward LCC and backward SRC working modes to maintain unified wider bidirectional voltage gain range between the input and output by asymmetric structure of LCC resonant tank module that boost-voltage is enabled by equivalent principle of conventional LCC resonant converter and buck-voltage is enabled by equivalent principle of conventional series resonant converter, while, a unified bidirectional boost-buck voltage gain matching control strategy is designed with an optimization about parameters of LCC resonant tank module under realizing of zero voltage switching-on and reducing of reactive power losses. Finally, according to the simulation platform and experimental prototype, it can be shown that the practical voltage gain is closed to the theoretical designed gain and converter has good dynamic performances after realizing of soft-switching in each mode.

Modified Two-Channel LLC Resonant Converter With Optimal Efficiency for Wide Input Voltage Applications

A modified two-channel LLC resonant converter with optimal efficiency for wide input voltage applications. The converter has the same voltage gain and power handing ability as conventional full-bridge (FB) resonant converter, but the hardware cost is lower than conventional FB resonant converter, and the operational frequency range is narrower than conventional resonant converter for the same working condition. It has the characteristics of low input impedance at low input voltage, which is used to provide high voltage gain, and high input impedance at high input voltage, which is used to provide low voltage gain, the above characteristics are analyzed and optimized to improve the efficiency for photovoltaic applications where wide voltage gain is require. A 1 kW prototype is developed, the input voltage ranges from 80 V to 200 V, the output voltage and output power are 400 V and 1 kW, the experimental result shows that the full-load efficiency can reach 96.5% over the entire input voltage range, and the peak efficiency can reach 96.9% at full-load state.

A Low Voltage Stress PFC Rectifier Based on Nonoverlapping Strategy Using Resonant Switched-Capacitor Converter

In order to break limited step-down ratio range and poor regulation capacity in the conventional resonant switched-capacitor converters for rectifier application, a single-stage ac/dc rectifier based on the dual-resonance switched-capacitor converter is proposed in this article. Through utilizing a dual-resonant structure and nonoverlapping strategy to realize wide continuous voltage gain of the proposed converter, high power factor (PF) and low total harmonic distortion (THD) based on the narrow dead zone are guaranteed by operating at high step-down conversion ratio in this converter topology. Moreover, the voltage gain is concentrated between resonant frequency and double resonant frequency to achieve a narrow switching frequency range for rectifier application. Furthermore, operating at flat voltage stress curves to obtain low voltage stress character. Comprehensive mode analysis, input PF and THD, and stress analysis are given, and analysis results indicate that the proposed power factor correction converter can work with soft turn <sc xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">on</small> and zero-current turn <sc xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">off</small> ; high efficiency is realized. Finally, an experimental prototype with 85–130 V <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">ac</sub> input and 47 V <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">dc</sub> /44 W output is built and tested for verifying the operation modes and PFC performance, and the comparison between different rectifiers and the proposed one is provided.

Analysis and Implementation of a Bidirectional Converter with Soft Switching Operation

This paper presents a soft switching direct current (DC) converter, with the benefits of bidirectional power conversion and wide-ranging voltage operation for battery charging and discharging capability. A series resonant circuit with variable switching frequency modulation is used to achieve the advantages of soft switching turn-on or turn-off of semiconductor devices. Therefore, the switching power losses in power devices can be reduced. A symmetric resonant circuit topology with a capacitor–inductor–inductor–capacitor (CLLC) structure is adopted to achieve a bidirectional power conversion capability for battery storage units in electric vehicle applications. Due to the symmetric circuit structure on both input and output sides, the converter has similar voltage gains for each power flow operation. In order to overcome the drawback of narrow voltage range operation in conventional resonant converters, a variable transformer turns ratio is adopted in the circuit, to achieve wide output voltage operation (150–450 V) for battery charging applications. To demonstrate the converter performance, a 1-kW laboratory prototype was constructed and tested. Experimental results are provided, to verify the effectiveness of the studied circuit.

Topology and Formation of Current Source Step Down Resonant Switched Inductor Converters

This paper presents a current converter that uses an inductor based approach for interim energy storage. A family of the circuits for step down conversion is examined for both non-inverting and inverting operations. The paper has disclosed the method of the generation, so that any order of 1/n conversion ratio can be made. One of the features is to use two transistors only in the common half-bridge style. The main contribution is its special current conversion capability and soft-switching, because it eliminates switching loss and the spike in the devices using a resonant capacitor with the switched-inductor. The performance has been proved to work well for current bucking. This is a new concept for the power converter and is an advanced development of the conventional switched-inductor converter, switched-capacitor, and resonant converter; it is a duality of the switched-capacitor converter. The paper provides a theoretical approach for the current source topology and its formation. It prepares for vast applications in the current source photovoltaic system and current mode system. Experiment verification and loss analysis have proven the preferable characteristics. Benchmarking comparison with similar converters has been made and advanced features have been described. The proposed converter presents current mode research for increasing application in the coming decade.

High-Voltage-Gain Soft-Switching Converter Employing Bidirectional Switch for Fuel-Cell Vehicles

Conventional current-fed resonant converter suffers from high turn-off loss over wide range of fuel-cell voltage. To alleviate this problem, we propose high voltage gain current-fed resonant converter that achieves almost ZVS turn-off over a wide range of voltage gain. By employing a bidirectional switch across center nodes of the voltage doubler and corresponding modulation, the presented converter achieved almost ZVS at the turn-off instant; this trait significantly increases the power conversion efficiency even under high frequency operation. The inherent boost function of the current doubler, an additional boosting operation using a bidirectional switch, and double boosting of the voltage doubler enable the presented converter to achieve high voltage gain without having to use a transformer that has a high turns-ratio. Moreover, 180 <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$^\circ$</tex-math></inline-formula> phase interleaving reduces the input current ripple to zero. The steady-state operation is analyzed comprehensively, and design considerations of the proposed converter are given. Finally, a prototype with input of 48-72 V, output of 380 V, and rated power of 1 kW is developed to validate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed converter.

Triple-Mode Isolated Resonant Buck–Boost Converter Over Wide Input Voltage Range for Residential Applications

This article proposes a triple-mode isolated resonant buck-boost converter over a wide input voltage range for residential applications of photovoltaic arrays and fuel cells. First, in case that the input voltage is smaller than the nominal voltage, it operates in a resonant-boost mode that boosts the input voltage by using a bridgeless structure on the secondary-side. Next, if the input voltage is within the range of the nominal voltage, it operates in a fully series-resonant mode, which results in high efficiency by the soft-switching on the primary-side switches and reduced conduction loss. Last, if the input voltage is more than the nominal voltage, it operates in a pulsewidth modulation series-resonant buck mode, which can achieve the step-down conversion by reducing the duty cycle. Unlike the conventional resonant converters, the proposed converter achieves high efficiency and less number of power components over a wide input voltage range. Finally, the performance of the proposed triple-mode isolated resonant converter has been fully verified on a prototype 400 W test-bed in the wide input voltage of 35-65 V.

Multiresonant and Multimode Operation of the Switched-Resonator Converters

The multiresonant and multimode operations of the switched-resonator converter are revealed in this article. Distributed inductors of a switched-resonator converter can be operated either in resonant or linear modes. As a result, there are four operation regimes that cannot be observed in the conventional resonant and hybrid switched-capacitor converters. The duty ratio modulation of the control signals not only switches the converter operation between different regimes but also regulates output voltage while having soft switching. In addition to that, the switching frequency of the converter can be modulated to achieve the aforementioned objectives. Realization of a switched-resonator converter based on this concept having buck-boost characteristics is presented in this article. Operation of the proposed converter is analyzed, and it is verified using experimental results.

Resonant converter with less voltage rating of power switches and wide voltage operation

A resonant converter with less voltage rating of power switches and wide voltage operation is investigated in this Letter for medium voltage applications. Four active switches and two split capacitors are adopted on the primary side to reduce the voltage rating on power semiconductors. The resonant converter is adopted in the converter to have a wide soft switching operation range. Two flying capacitors are used in the presented circuit to operate as the resonant capacitor and also to achieve voltage balance of two input split capacitors. The variable winding turns are used on the secondary side to overcome the problem of the limited voltage operation in the conventional resonant converter. If the input voltage is in the low-input voltage range, the low turns-ratio of the power transformer is used to increase the voltage gain of the resonant converter. If the input voltage is in a high-voltage range, then the high turns-ratio of the transformer is adopted to reduce the voltage gain. Thus, the proposed converter can achieve wide input voltage operation. Experimental results with a 0.8 kW prototype are provided to confirm the effectiveness of wide input voltage operation from 260 to 800 V.

Boost‐integrated LCL resonant converter with high voltage gain

A boost-integrated LCL resonant DC–DC converter is proposed, which is constituted by a full-bridge inverter module, the main transformer and a flyback transformer, resonant unit, and a rectifier module. The primary winding of the flyback transformer is also used as a resonant inductor and a boost inductor to improve the power density and the voltage gain. In order to meet different output environments, the converter can operate in low voltage-gain mode or high voltage gain mode. In low voltage-gain mode, the converter operates in PWM with LCL resonance. In high voltage-gain mode, the converter operates in PWM with boost and LCL resonance, in which boost modulation plays a role before the LCL resonance to increase the output voltage. Compared with the conventional LCL resonant converter, the new converter has higher voltage gain and is more suitable for a wide output range with the same resonant parameters. The operation principles of the proposed converter are clarified. A prototype with 80–140 V output and maximum output current 2.9 A is built, and experimental data shows that the maximum efficiency of the prototype can be 94.5%, verifying the correctness of the theoretical analysis.

A Modular Multilevel Resonant DC–DC Converter

A modular multilevel resonant (MMR) dc-dc converter, its modulation, and control are proposed in this article. The MMR converter inherits the desirable features of both the modular multilevel converter and LLC resonant converter, such as high voltage capability, easy fault-tolerant operation, and soft switching. Besides, the MMR can regulate the output voltage over a wide input voltage range with much narrower frequency range compared to conventional resonant converters. By constantly inserting certain number of submodules into the arm according to the input voltage, the resonant tank voltage can be regulated with a relatively constant amplitude regardless of the wide input variation. This modulation technique is acted as a feedforward loop to roughly regulate the output according to the input voltage, and the feedback loop in the control system precisely regulates the output by varying the switching frequency. Simulations on a 200-kW MMR that converts 9-15 kV to 750 V are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed topology and control method. Experimental results on an MMR prototype are also given to demonstrate the feasibility.

Hybrid Resonant Converter with Three Half-Bridge Legs for Wide Voltage Operation

This paper studied a hybrid resonant converter with three half bridge legs for wide input voltage operation. Compared to the conventional resonant converters with narrow voltage operation, the presented converter can achieve wider voltage operation. On the basis of the proper switching status of power switches, the developed converter can operate at half-bridge resonant circuit under high input voltage range and the other two full-bridge resonant circuits under medium and low input voltage ranges. Each resonant circuit has a 2:1 (Vin,max = 2Vin,min) input voltage operation range. Therefore, the developed converter can achieve an 8:1 (Vin,max = 8Vin,min) wide voltage operation. The main advantage of the studied converter is the single-stage direct current (DC)/DC power conversion instead of the two-stage power conversion to achieve wide voltage operation. Because the equivalent resonant tank of the adopted converter is controlled by frequency modulation, the soft switching operation on power switches or rectifier diodes can be realized to improve circuit efficiency. The performance of the proposed circuit was confirmed and verified by experiments with a laboratory circuit.

Implementation of a Parallel-Series Resonant Converter with Wide Input Voltage Range

A new resonant converter is presented to have the advantages of soft switching operation on power devices, without reverse recovery current loss on power diodes and wide input voltage range operation. Resonant converter with frequency modulation is adopted in the proposed circuit to accomplish the low switching loss on power switches and possible zero current switching operation on fast recovery diodes. To improve the problem of limit voltage range operation in the conventional resonant converter, a new parallel-series structure resonant converter is studied to achieve wide input voltage operation capability, such as from Vin,min to 4Vin,min. A 1.8 kW laboratory circuit is implemented, and the measured results are provided to confirm the theoretical analysis and circuit performance.

Resonant Converter with Soft Switching and Wide Voltage Operation

A new DC/DC resonant converter with wide output voltage range operation is presented and studied to have the benefits of low switching losses on active devices and low voltage stresses on power diodes. To overcome serious reverse recovery losses of power diodes on a conventional full-bridge pulse-width modulation converter, the resonant converter is adopted to reduce the switching loss and increase the circuit efficiency. To extend the output voltage range in conventional half-bridge or full-bridge resonant converters, the secondary sides of two diode rectifiers are connected in series to have wide output voltage operation. The proposed converter can be either operated at one-resonant-converter mode for low voltage range or two-resonant-converter mode for high voltage range. Thus, the voltage rating of power diodes is decreased. Experiments with the design example are given to show the circuit performance and validate the theoretical discussion and analysis.

A Coupled-Inductor-Based LCC Resonant Converter With the Primary-Parallel–Secondary-Series Configuration to Achieve Output-Voltage Sharing for HV Generator Applications

In this paper, a coupled-inductor-based LCC resonant converter with the primary-parallel–secondary-series (PPSS) configuration is proposed to achieve output-voltage sharing ability for HV generator applications. The PPSS configuration of the LCC resonant converter with the voltage multipliers is introduced to achieve high output-voltage and increase the output-power level. However, the variations of the magnetizing inductance, leakage inductance, and winding capacitance of the HV transformer and voltage multiplier impact on the output-voltage sharing performance. Subsequently, the resonant inductors in the primary side of the conventional LCC resonant converters with the PPSS configuration are coupled to achieve the output-voltage sharing without any additional circuits and control efforts. Furthermore, an analytical equivalent circuit model considering the magnetizing inductor of the HV transformer is derived to analyze the output-voltage sharing ability. Moreover, the design method for the coupled inductors considering the output-voltage sharing performance affected by the leakage inductance of the coupled inductors is presented. Finally, the output-voltage sharing performance of the proposed coupled-inductor-based LCC resonant converter with the PPSS configuration is validated by the experimental results of a 50-V input, 5-kV output 100-W prototype. The prototype experimental results show that the unbalance voltage degree decreases from 67.7% to 8.5% with the utilization of the coupled inductor.

Resonant Converter with Voltage-Doubler Rectifier or Full-Bridge Rectifier for Wide-Output Voltage and High-Power Applications

This paper presents a resonant converter with the benefits of wide output voltage, wide soft switching characteristics for power devices and high circuit efficiency. Since the series resonant circuit is adopted on the primary side, the power switches are turned on under zero voltage switching and power diodes on the secondary side can be turned off under zero current switching. To overcome the drawback of narrow voltage operation range in the conventional resonant converter, full-bridge rectifier and voltage-doubler rectifier topologies are employed on the secondary side for low-voltage output and high-voltage output applications. Therefore, the voltage rating of power devices on the secondary side is clamped at output voltage, rather than two times output voltage, in the center-tapped rectifier circuit. Synchronous power switches are used on the secondary side to further reduce the conduction losses so that the circuit efficiency can be further improved. To verify the theoretical analysis and circuit performance, a laboratory prototype with 1 kW rated power was built and tested.

Active-Clamp ZVZCS Resonant Forward DC Transformer (DCX) With Load-Adaptive ON-Time Control

Targeting at low-power high-density bus converter applications, a megahertz active-clamp resonant forward converter with whole-load-range zero-voltage switching and zero-current switching (ZVZCS) characteristics is proposed in this paper, which improves system efficiency performance. Compared with previous resonant forward converters, the proposed converter can effectively reduce the root-mean-square current and the conduction loss. To realize zero-voltage-switching turn on of switch over the entire input voltage range, a dead-time control is adopted to account for the nonlinear capacitors of switches. Besides, given fixed resonant parameters, the ZVZCS feature can be maintained at various combinations of operating frequency and duty cycle, which is a unique advantage over conventional resonant converters. Based on this concept, a load-adaptive on-time control that can significantly reduce core loss is proposed to improve the light-load efficiency. A 66-W 24-V-to-12-V prototype is built up to verify the effectiveness of the proposed converter, which achieves 96% full-load efficiency and 93.5% 10%-load efficiency.

Constant Frequency Operation of the Parallel Loaded Resonant DC/DC Converter for Power LED Lighting

A DC/DC resonant converter for power LED lighting, controlled with constant frequency by means of the control of the auxiliary transistors' conduction time is presented in the paper. The proposed converter topology allows to relatively high range of its output power changes in comparison to the conventional parallel resonant converter. Comparison between average power losses in semiconductor elements in the converter controlled with a constant frequency and in equivalent converter controlled with a variable frequency is presented to emphasize attractiveness of proposed converter.