Synthesis of PWM and quasi-resonant DC-to-DC power converters (1989)

Synthesis of DC-to-DC converter topologies in the two largest families - PWM and Quasi-Resonant (QR) - is completed in this thesis

In a PWM converter, two linear time-invariant networks, consisting of only capacitors and inductors, source and load, are switched at constant frequency with duty ratio D. From defining assumptions, several general properties of PWM converter networks are derived. The established general properties interrelate the number of elements, attainable DC conversion ratio M(D), and features such as continuous terminal currents or possible coupling of inductors.

Based on matrix representation of the converter topology, the systematic synthesis procedure for generation of PWM converters with a given number of reactive elements is constructed. A prescribed set of requirements is the input for the procedure. The requirements may include desired DC conversion ratio, continuous terminal currents, possible coupling of inductors and a given number of switches. In particular, the number of switches implemented as transistors can be specified. Outputs of the procedure are complete classes of PWM converters that satisfy the input requirements. A number of useful PWM topologies, which have not been identified before, are uncovered. A comparison of members of the classes is included.

Several extensions of PWM converters are considered, including insertion of the isolation transformer and two discontinuous operating modes for which unified DC analyses are completed.

Quasi-Resonant converters are defined as two-switch PWM converter networks to which resonant elements are added. Synthesis of QR, converters is based on the recognition that there are only a finite number of topologically distinct positions for resonant elements within a two-switch PWM parent converter. If a single resonant inductor and a single resonant capacitor are added to a two-switch PWM topology, examination of all possible positions yields a total of six QR classes, which come in dual pairs. Two pairs are identified as known QR classes, namely, Zero-Current/Zero-Voltage (ZV/ZC) and Zero-Current/Zero-Voltage Quasi-Square-Wave (ZC-QSW/ZV-QSW). The remaining two classes, named Off-Resonant and On-Resonant Quasi-PWM (Q[f]-PWM/Q[n]-PWM), have not been recognized so far. The names originate from the fact that Q-PWM converters can be regarded as PWM converters operating in both discontinuous modes simultaneously. The synthesis procedure can be generalized to encompass additional resonant elements. As an example, classes of Zero-Current and Zero-Voltage Multi-Resonant (ZC-MR/ZV-MR) converters are formally defined.

In contrast to square-wave switch waveforms in PWM converters, all QR topologies exhibit smooth quasi-sinusoidal waveforms and therefore reduced switching losses. Of particular interest are operating modes in which all switching transitions are at zero current or at zero voltage.

A study of operating modes and a DC analysis unified with respect to all PWM parents and all topological variations are carried out for four selected classes of QR Converters - Q[n]-PWM, ZV, ZV-QSW, and ZV-MR. It is emphasized that for a QR converter, topology alone is not sufficient to derive DC conversion properties. Subject to different switch implementations and control timing, the emerging operating modes can result in vastly different behavior of the same converter topology.

Two switch implementations are considered - conventional, with one controllable switch and one diode, and the one that resembles the technique of synchronous rectification - with two controllable switches. In the first case, with the exception of converters in two Q-PWM classes, only variable-frequency control is applicable. However, if both switches are controllable, constant-frequency control is restored in all QR classes, and several novel operating modes of practical interest are uncovered.

Various QR classes and operating modes are compared with respect to sets of switching transitions, sensitivity to parasitic elements, available operating region, frequency range and stresses on switching devices. The role of free parameters in various design trade-offs is exposed, thus allowing a designer to select and realize the topology best suited for a particular application.