ZERO-VOLTAGE SWITCHING IN HIGH FREQUENCY POWER

CONVERTERS USING PULSE WIDTH MODULATION

C. P. Henze+ H. C. M a r t i n * D. W. P a r s l e y "
Unisys Corporation' Unisys C o r p o r a t i o n *
P.0. BOX 64525, U2N26 640 N. S p e r r y Way, FlH12
S t . P a u l , MN 55164 S a l t L a k e C i t y , UT 84116

ABSTRACT

A z e r o - v o l t a g e s w i t c h i n g t e c h n i q u e is d e s c r i b e d , P
mploying a resonant-transition during a switching
i n t e r v a l o f s h o r t b u t f i n i t e d u r a t i o n , which may b e
a p p l i e d t o c o n v e n t i o n a l power c o n v e r t e r t o p o l o g i e s
+ m
allowing e f f i c i e n t operation a t very high switching
frequencies while retaining the fundamental
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of t h e conventional topology.

'I. INTRODUCTION 6
F i g u r e 1. The c a n p o s i t e s w i t c h is used i n p l a c e o f
Q u a s i - r e s o n a n t power c o n v e r t e r t o p o l o g i e s h a v e been t h e c o n v e n t i o n a l power s w i t c h and t h e f r e e w h e e l i n g
developed u s i n g a resonant-switch concept t h a t d i o d e i n NRT s w i t c h i n g power c o n v e r t e r s .
i n h e r e n t l y r e d u c e s (or e l i m i n a t e s ) t h e f r e q u e n c y
d e p e n d e n t s w i t c h i n g losses o f t h e power c o n v e r t e r
allowing e f f i c i e n t o p e r a t i o n a t very high switching However, c o n d u c t i o n l o s s e s a r e i n c r e a s e d i n t h e
f r e q u e n c i e s . Q u a s i - r e s o n a n t power c o n v e r t e r s may b e p a r e r c o n v e r t e r and s y n c h r o n o u s r e c t i f i c a t i o n is
described as zero-current switching Cl1 or r e q u i r e d ( w h i c h is u s e f u l f o r low o u t p u t v o l t a g e
zero-voltage s w i t c h i n g C21 r e s o n a n t - s w i t c h power a p p l i c a t i o n s 1.
converters. Furthermore, zero-current or
zero-voltage buck, b o o s t , buck-boost and Cuk
quasi-resonant t o p o l o g i e s may b e d e r i v e d f r a n a 2. BASIC CONCEPT
c o n v e n t i o n a l n o n - r e s o n a n t t o p o l o g y by r e p l a c i n g t h e
conventional switch with the appropriate The c a n p o s i t e s w i t c h o f F i g u r e 1 is used f o r b o t h
resonant-sui tch. t h e power s w i t c h and t h e s y n c h r o n o u s s w i t c h . The
c a n p o s i t e s w i t c h is modeled by: a n i d e a l s w i t c h t h a t
Although q u a s i - r e s o n a n t converters a r e w e l l suited may c a r r y c u r r e n t i n e i t h e r d i r e c t i o n and is
f o r and p r e s e n t l y used i n many h i g h f r e q u e n c y power c o n t r o l l e d by a n e x t e r n a l s i g n a l , a n a n t i - p a r a l l e l
processing applications, two d i s a d v a n t a g e s are i d e a l d i o d e Dsw, and a p a r a l l e l c a p a c i t o r Csw. A
a s s o c i a t e d with t h e resonant switch concept. Since power f i e l d - e f f e c t - t r a n s i s t o r (FET) may b e used t o
f r e q u e n c y m o d u l a t i o n is used t o c o n t r o l t h e o u t p u t implement t h e c a n p o s i t e s w i t c h b e c a u s e t h e FET
characteristics, new t e c h n i q u e s and methods m u s t be c o n t a i n s a n a n t i - p a r a l l e l d i o d e and a s i g n i f i c a n t
developed f o r feedback c o n t r o l and stability drain-to-source Capacitance; however, i n scne
a n a l y s i s ; furthermore, i n p u t and o u t p u t f i l t e r applications, a f a s t e r anti-parallel diode o r
d e s i g n is more complex. Because i n t e r n a l waveforms a d d i t i o n a l p a r a l l e l c a p a c i t a n c e may b e r e q u i r e d . I t
have l a r g e s i n u s o i d a l c a n p o n e n t s , the off-state s h o u l d by r e c o g n i z e d t h a t i n sane a p p l i c a t i o n s t h e
v o l t a g e stress on s e m i c o n d u c t o r d e v i c e s is i n c r e a s e d drain-to-source c a p a c i t a n c e may l i m i t t h e maximum
and t h e c o n d u c t i o n losses i n b o t h a c t i v e and p a s s i v e a w i t c h i n g f r e q u e n c y a t which FETs m a y b e used t o
components a r e i n c r e a s e d . implament ZVRT s w i t c h i n g .

T h i s paper d e s c r i b e s a zero-voltage switching An example z e r o - v o l t a g e switching interval using a

t e c h n i q u e , Employing a r e s o n a n t - t r a n s i t i o n d u r i n g a r e s o n a n t - t r a n s i t i o n i s i l l u s t r a t e d i n F i g u r e s 2 and
switching i n t e r v a l of s h o r t but f i n i t e d u r a t i o n , 3 f o r a p a i r o f canposite switches. Zero-voltage
which may be a p p l i e d t o c o n v e n t i o n a l power c o n v e r t e r s w i t c h i n g is a c c o m p l i s h e d by r a p i d l y t u r n i n g o f f t h e
topologies allowing e f f i c i e n t operation a t very high lower s w i t c h ( F i g u r e 221) which m u s t be c a r r y i n g a
switching frequencies while retaining the positive current IL (with respect to the
fundamental c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of t h e conventional a n t i - p a r a l l e l d i o d e ) fran a c u r r e n t s o u r c e ( w h i c h i n
topology. Specifically, zero-voltage p r a c t i c e is t h e i n d u c t o r i n t h e power c o n v e r t e r ) .
r e s o n a n t - t r a n s i t i o n (NRT) s w i t c h i n g c o n v e r t e r s may This forces t h e current IL t o cannutate fran t h e
u s e pulse width modulation f o r output c o n t r o l , t h e i n t e r n a l i d e a l switch t o t h e pal-allel c a p a c i t o r s
power transistor parasitic capacitor switching w h i l e t h e v o l t a g e a c r o s s t h e c a n p o s i t e s w i t c h is
losses a r e e l i m i n a t e d , and t h e o f f - s t a t e v o l t a g e e s s e n t i a l l y zero ( F i g u r e 2 b ) . The v o l t a g e a c r o s s
stress o f t h e power t r a n s i s t o r is n o t i n c r e a s e d . lower s w i t c h Vsu2 i n c r e a s e s u n t i l t h e a n t i - p a r a l l e l

3.3
CH2504-9/88/0000-0033$1.00 0 1988 IEEE
 a) b)

IL

6 b 6
F i g u r e 2. I n t h i s example o f a ZVRT s w i t c h i n g t r a n s i t i o n , t h e c u r r e n t which is i n i t i a l l y
c a r r i e d by t h e l o w e r i d e a l s w i t c h I L ( a ) is t r a n s f e r r e d t o t h e p a r a l l e l c a p a c i t o r s
a l l o w i n g a z e r o v o l t a g e t u r n o f f . Charging of t h e p a r a l l e l c a p a c i t o r s c a u s e s t h e v o l t a g e
a c r o s s t h e l o w e r s w i t c h V s w p t o rise ( b ) u n t i l t h e upper a n t i - p a r a l l e l d i o d e c o n d u c t s ( c )
a l l o w i n g t h e upper i d e a l s w i t c h t o b e t u r n e d on a t z e r o v o l t a g e ( d ) .

be l a r g e enough t o c o m p l e t e l y c h a r g e t h e s w i t c h
capacitors f r m t h e i n i t i a l to t h e final voltage
vsw .
, I LIL* >> 2Csw Vsw2 (1)

off
swl
on I
I
tb I
I

I
I Thus, t h e i n d u c t o r may b e approximated by a c o n s t a n t
on
I I current source IL( t s w ) d u r i n g the switching
I I i n t e r v a l . The b l a n k i n g time m u s t b e l o n g enough t o
swz off--/ I
a l l o w t h e s w i t c h i n g t r a n s i t i o n t o be completed ( f o r
I I
t h e minimum v a l u e o f i n d u c t o r c u r r e n t ).
! t I
V- I I

I
tb > -
2CswVsw

IL( t s u )
(2)

I
I f these conditions a r e not m e t , s w i t c h i n g losses
I I will r e s u l t frm dissipatively charging and
zero I I discharging t h e switch capacitors.
I I I
I I I
a , b d S i m i l a r zero-voltage s w i t c h i n g t e c h n i q u e s h a v e been
* H
B C '
employed i n l o s s l e s s s n u b b e r s f u l l b r i d g e c i r c u i t s
C3,41. I n t h i s c a s e t h e m a g n e t i z i n g c u r r e n t o f t h e
F i g u r e 3. I d e a l waveforms for the example NRT transformer p r o v i d e s t h e e n e r g y t o c h a r g e and
s w i t c h i n g i n t e r v a l o f F i g u r e 2. d i s c h a r g e t h e c o m p o s i t e s w i t c h c a p a c i t a n c e 'during
t h e blanking i n t e r v a l . Furthermore, t h i s concept
h a s been a p p l i e d t o a c o n s t a n t f r e q u e n c y r e s o n a n t
d i o d e i n t h e u p p e r c o m p o s i t e s w i t c h is forward power c o n v e r t e r i n which o p e r a t i o n above r e s o n a n c e
b i a s e d ( F i g u r e 2 c ) and c a r r i e s t h e c u r r e n t IL. The provides p r o p e r c u r r e n t waveforms t o implement
upper s w i t c h may now b e d r i v e n i n t o t h e on s t a t e by z e r o - v o l t a g e s w i t c h i n g C51.
the control (gate) signal cmpleting the
z e r o - v o l t a g e s w i t c h i n g t r a n s i t i o n ( F i g u r e 2d 1.
3. ZVRT SWITCHINTI CONVERTERS
The p r o c e s s o f c a n n u t a t i n g c u r r e n t from t h e upper t o
t h e lower c o m p o s i t e switch with zero-voltage In general, a zero-voltage resonant-transition
r e s o n a n t - t r a n s i t i o n s w i t c h i n g is i d e n t i c a l e x c e p t switching t o p o l o g y may b e o b t a i n e d frm the
t h a t t h e c u r r e n t IL m u s t b e o f o p p o s i t e p o l a r i t y c o n v e n t i o n a l t o p o l o g y by: 1 ) r e p l a c i n g both t h e
during t h e switching interval. power s w i t c h and t h e f r e e w h e e l i n g d i o d e w i t h a new
c a n p o s i t e power s w i t c h which c o n t a i n s a p a r a l l e l
During t h e s w i t c h i n g i n t e r v a l , t h e s w i t c h c a p a c i t o r s c a p a c i t a n c e and a n a n t i - p a r a l l e l d i o d e , 2 ) o p e r a t i n g
and t h e i n d u c t o r form a L-C r e s o n a n t c i r c u i t . To b o t h t h e power s w i t c h and t h e s y n c h r o n o u s s w i t c h ( i n
implement a proper switching transition, the place of the freewheeling diode) in a
i n d u c t o r e n e r g y a t t h e # t a r t o f t h e t r a n s i t i o n must br-k-before-make mode w i t h a s h o r t b u t f i n i t e

34
 waveforms and t h e s w i t c h v o l t a g e and i n d u c t o r
c u r r e n t waveform a t b o t h n o l o a d and f u l l l o a d .

b l a n k i n g t i m e t b , 3) c h o o s i n g a n a p p r o p r i a t e l y
"out valued inductor such t h a t t h e i n d u c t o r c u r r e n t w i l l ,
f o r a l l o p e r a t i n g c o n d i t i o n s o f i n t e r e s t , reach a
maximum peak c u r r e n t which is g r e a t e r t h a n z e r o and
a minimum peak c u r r e n t which is less t h a n zero.
-
A NRT s w i t c h i n g buck, boost and buck-boost
ZVRT Switchinq B o o s t Converter c o n v e r t e r s and r e l e v a n t no l o a d and f u l l l o a d
waveforms a r e shown i n F i g u r e 4. The i n d u c t o r
c u r r e n t c o n t a i n s a n a c c a n p o n e n t I i p p t h a t is
i n d e p e n d e n t o f t h e o u t p u t c u r r e n t and a dc ccmponent
<IL> t h a t is d e p e n d e n t on t h e o u t p u t c u r r e n t . S i n c e
t h e i n d u c t o r m u s t b e s i z e d s u c h t h a t t h e minimum
"out peak i n d u c t o r c u r r e n t is a l w a y s n e g a t i v e , a " d e s i g n
i n d u c t a n c e " Ld may b e c a l c u l a t e d as a f u n c t i o n of
t h e r a t i o K o f peak-to-peak inductor r i p p l e current
I L ~ Pt o t h e a v e r a g e ( o r dc ) i n d u c t o r c u r r e n t < I l m r ~ >
a t f u l l load.

2VRT Switching Buck-Boost Converter K < I t o r x > = ILPP (3)

The d e s i g n i n d u c t a n c e is t h e maximum i n d u c t a n c e t h a t
c a n be used i n t h e c o n v e r t e r which o p e r a t e s w i t h
ZVRT s w i t c h i n g . The d e s i g n i n d u c t a n c e t h i s i a
s i m i l a r concept t o t h e " c r i t i c a l i n d u c t a n c e " C63
which d e f i n e s a minimum i n d u c t a n c e t o m a i n t a i n
I "in I I' continuous conduction i n a conventional topology.
Ll I I + However, u s i n g t h e d e s i g n i n d u c t a n c e v a l u e i n a
c o n v e n t i o n a l t o p o l o g y would g u a r a n t e e d i s c o n t i n u o u s
c o n d u c t i o n up t o t h e maximum l o a d c u r r e n t frcm which
<I-.%> h a s been c a l c u l a t e d .

For a zero-voltage resonant-transition switching

buck c o n v e r t e r

K<Itoax> = ILpp = -
Vin-Vout

Ld
DT ( f o r K>2> (4)

where D is t h e d u t y r a t i o o f t h e power s w i t c h and T

i s t h e s w t i c h i n g p e r i o d . F u r t h e r m o r e , it h a s been
assumed t h a t t h e b l a n k i n g t i m e is s h o r t c a n p a r e d t o
t h e switching period. Using

Vout
<Itorx> = Iout(max) = - (5)
Ricmin)

where I o u t ( m a x ) is t h e f u l l l o a d o u t p u t c u r r e n t o f
t h e power c o n v e r t e r and s o l v i n g f o r Ld

Ld =
K
- -)
Vout

Vidmin)
Ri(min)T (6)

Topology V' V-
An e x p r e s s i o n f o r t h e d e s i g n i n d u c t a n c e may b e found
Buck Vin 0 f o r t h e b o o s t and buck-boost c o n v e r t e r s u s i n g t h e
same method, however, t h e a v e r a g e i n d u c t o r c u r r e n t
Boost 0 Vout is n o t e q u a l t o t h e o u t p u t c u r r e n t i n these
~ ~~ converters. For the zero-voltage
Buck-Boost Vin Vout r e s o n a n t - t r a n s i t i o n boost converter the design
i n d u c t a n c e Ld is

Figure 4. NRT s w i t c h i n g buck, boost, and

buck-boost c o n v e r t e r s w i t h the switch control

35

For t h e z e r o - v o l t a g e r e s o n a n t - t r a n s i t i o n
c o n v e r t e r t h e d e s i g n i n d u c t a n c e Ld is
c o n d u c t i o n l o s s e s are i n d e p e n d e n t o f t h e o u t p u t l o a d
c u r r e n t , t h e a c c o n d u c t i o n losses w i l l b e p r e s e n t
even a t zero l o a d c u r r e n t . Thus, i t e x p e c t e d t h a t
t h e power c o n v e r s i o n e f f i c i e n c y a t l i g h t l o a d w i l l
buck-boost b e r e d u c e d when c m p a r e d t o t h e f u l l l o a d e f f i . c i e n c y
when N R T s w i t c h i n g is used.

I f c o n v e n t i o n a l s w i t c h i n g t e c h n i q u e s a r e used, t h e
(8) t o t a l s w i t c h i n g l o s s e s f o r b o t h power t r a n s i s t o r s a t
f u l l l o a d may b e approximated by

To p r o v i d e n e g a t i v e c u r r e n t t o d r i v e t h e s y n c h r o n o u s Prw.conv = 2<CorsVin2 + VinIout(max)tr)fsw (13)

s w i t c h t o power s w i t c h t r a n s i t i o n , K must b e g r e a t e r
t h a n two. In typical a p p l i c a t i o n s K i s four where Cora is t h e o u t p u t c a p a c i t a n c e o f t h e power
r e s u l t i n g a t h r e e t o we r a t i o i n t h e t u r n - o f f and t r a n s i s t o r , tr i s t h e a v e r a g e t i m e of t h e s w i t c h i n g
t u r n - o n t r a n s i t i o n t i m e s f o r t h e power s w i t c h a t t r a n s i t i o n , and f w is t h e s w i t c h i n g f r e q u e n c y .
f u l l load. I f K is i n c r e a s e d , t h e f u l l load
transition time ratio is decreased b u t t h e To e f f e c t i v e l y u s e ZVRT s w i t c h i n g , t h e s w i t c h i n g
c o n d u c t i o n losses are i n c r e a s e d . f r e q u e n c y must b e h i g h enough so t h a t t h e a c
c o n d u c t i o n l o s s e s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h NRT s w i t c h i n g a r e
less t h a n t h e s w i t c h i n g l o s s e s t h a t would r e s u l t
4. CONDUCTION LOSS PENALTY f r a conventional switching.

Zero-voltage resonant-transition switching will Pac < Psw,conv (14)

e l i m i n a t e ( t o f i r s t o r d e r approximation) switching
l o s s e s i n t h e power t r a n s i s t o r s a t t h e e x p e n s e of Using e q u a t i o n s 1 2 and 13.
i n c r e a s i n g t h e conduction l o s s e s throughout t h e
power c o n v e r t e r c i r c u i t . The c o n d u c t i o n l o s s e s are 4
i n c r e a s e d b e c a u s e a l a r g e a c component is r e q u i r e d - 1oua( max )2RDsOn < 2( C o s s v i n z
i n t h e i n d u c t o r c u r r e n t waveform. A d e t a i l e d t r a d e 3 Iout(max)tr)Vinfsw (15)
o f f a n a l y s i s c a n b e made f o r a g i v e n s e t o f d e s i g n
g o a l s t o d e t e r m i n e i f NRT s w i t c h i n g p r o v i d e s a n As a n u m e r i c a l example, assume t h a t two IRFAJINFI30s
o v e r a l l advantage. However, t h e d i s c u s s i o n i n t h i s are used i n a 5 0 w a t t power c o n v e r t e r which h a s a n
s e c t i o n w i l l b e l i m i t e d t o t h e power t r a n s i s t o r i n p u t v o l t a g e o f 5 0 Vdc and a r e f l e c t e d o u t p u t
losses i n a buck c o n v e r t e r t o d e t e r m i n e t h e minimum voltage of 3 0 Vdc. The a c c o n d u c t i o n loss
f r e q u e n c y t h a t ZVRT s w i t c h i n g p r o v i d e s a power loss introduced by zero-voltage resonant-transition
savings. s w i t c h i n g is

For a buck power c o n v e r t e r o p e r a t i n g a t maximum 4 50W

o u t p u t power u s i n g ZVRT s w i t c h i n g , t h e t o t a l power
l o s s i n b o t h power s w i t c h e s c o n s i s t s o f a dc and a n
-
3
-
30 V
2
( 0 . 1 4 Ohm) = 520 mW

a c component
and t a k i n g Coar t o b e 300 pf a t r a n s i t i o n t i m e o f 30
Pcond = Pdc + Plc (9) n s e c , t h e c o n v e n t i o n a l s w i t c h i n g loss is

u h e r e t h e dc component d e p e n d s o n l y on t h e o u t p u t 2((300 pfX50 V ) 2 + ( 5 0 V)(1.67 A X 3 0 n s e c ) ) f ' a w

c u r r e n t and t h e a c component depends o n l y on t h e
internal inductor ripple current. = (3.25 mJ)fsw

Pcond =
( Iout(max)2

Using e q u a t i o n 3.
+ -
1l P P 2

12 1 RDSOX-, (10)
Since

520 mW
-=
3.25 m J
160 KHz

Pcond =
c Iout(max)2 +

12

I n t y p i c a l a p p l i c a t i o n s K is f o u r .
RDSon (11)
zero-voltage resonant-transition switching
r e d u c e t h e power loss i n t h e power t r a n s i s t o r s i f
t h e c i r c u i t operates a t a s w i t c h i n g f r e q u e n c y o v e r
160 KHz. However, a c m p l e t e power l o s s t r a d e o f f
a n a l y s i s s h o u l d a l s o c o n s i d e r t h e losses i n t h e
will

i n d u c t o r s , c a p a c i t o r s , and t r a n s f o r m e r s a s w e l l a s

Pcond = [ :)+ Iout(maX)2RDson (12)

t h e volume o f t h e s e c m p o n e n t s .

5. IWERLEAVED FLYBACK CONVERTER

From e q u a t i o n 1 2 i t is c l e a r t h a t t h e a c c o n d u c t i o n
l o s s e s i n t h e power t r a n s i s t o r s t h a t a r e i n t r o d u c e d B a s i c NRT s w i t c h i n g c o n v e r t e r s a r e d e s c r i b e d i n
by N R T s w i t c h i n g are o n e t h i r d l a r g e r t h a n t h e f u l l s e c t i o n 3, however, m o s t r e a l a p p l i c a t i o n s r e q u i r e
l o a d dc conduction losses. Because t h e ac i n p u t / o u t p u t i s o l a t i o n and v o l t a g e c o n v e r s i o n r a t i o s

36
t h a t a r e not obtainable with these baaic topologies. c o n v e r t e r . The s t a t e - s p a c e a v e r a g i n g t e c h n i q u e E71
T r a n s f o r m e r i s o l a t e d ZVRT s w i t c h i n g c o n v e r t e r s a r e is used t o d e v e l o p t h e s m a l l s i g n a l model for t h o
sought. I n g e n e r a l , t a n s f o r m e r i s o l a t e d buck and NRT s w i t c h i n g i n t e r l e a v e d f l y b a c k c o n v e r t e r . I t is
b o o s t d e r i v e d NRT s w i t c h i n g c o n v e r t e r t o p o l o g i e s assumed t h a t : t h e b l a n k i n g t i m e is s h o r t c m p a r e d t o
c a n b e formed by o p e r a t i n g two i d e n t i c a l c o n v e r t e r t h e s w i t c h i n g p e r i o d , t h e m u l t i p l e winding i n d u c t o r s
s e c t i o n s i n p a r a l l e l w i t h i n t e r l e a v e d t i m i n g and are identical, t h e s t e a d y - s t a t e duty r a t i o i n each
u s i n g m u l t i p l e winding i n d u c t o r s f o r i n p u t / o u t p u t flyback s e c t i o n is i d e n t i c a l , and t h e l e a k a g e
isolation. Although a c o m p l e t e discussion of inductance effects are insignificant to the
i n t e r l e a v e d ZVRT s w i t c h i n g t o p o l o g i e s i s o u t o f t h e low-frequency dynamics o f t h e c o n v e r t e r .
scope of t h i s paper, it advantageous t o i n t r o d u c e
t h e switched-capacitor i n t e r l e a v e d flyback converter The s w i t c h e d - c a p a c i t o r i n t e r l e a v e d f l y b a c k c o n v e r t e r
t o e x p e r i m e n t a l l y d e m o n s t r a t e ZVRT s w i t c h i n g i n a is simplified to an equivalent interleaved
practical application. buck-boost c o n v e r t e r which passes through four
states i n a c m p l e t e s w i t c h i n g c y c l e a s shown i n
The s w i t c h e d - c a p a c i t o r i n t e r l e a v e d f l y b a c k c o n v e r t e r F i g u r e 6 . To implement ZVRT s w i t c h i n g , t h e c u r r e n t
[61 o f F i g u r e 5 w i l l o p e r a t e w i t h ZVRT s w i t c h i n g i f i n a given i n d u c t o r must r e v e r s e p o l a r i t y b e f o r e
t h e design c o n s t r a i n t s described i n Section 3 a r e t h a t i n d u c t o r is s w i t c h e d t o a new state. A s l o n g
m e t . The i n t e r l e a v e d f l y b a c k c o n v e r t e r is u s e f u l a s t h e i n d u c t o r c u r r e n t is c o n t i n u o u s , it may p a s 8
f o r high s w i t c h i n g frequency ( 1 M H z ) applications through z e r o without affecting t h e state-space
which r e q u i r e low o u t p u t v o l t a g e s (5 V and less). averaging process.
I f t h e d u t y r a t i o f o r b o t h f l y b a c k s e c t i o n s is less
t h a n o n e h a l f and i f a h a l f - c y c l e t i m i n g i n t e r l e a v e The s t a t e - s p a c e a v e r a g e d equation for the three
is u s e d , t h e p r i m a r y s i d e f i l t e r c a p a c i t o r C p v a r i a b l e c i r c u i t is
a p p e a r s m u l t i p l i e d by t h e s q u a r e o f t h e t r a n s f o r m e r
t u r n s r a t i o n i n t h e o u t p u t c i r c u i t a s Ca. This
V
a l l o w s t h e u s e of high v o l t a g e ceramic f i l t e r
c a p a c i t o r s on t h e p r i m a r y s i d e . Since t h e duty
r a t i o o f t h e o u t p u t r e c t i f i e r t r a n s i s t o r s is a l w a y s
0 0 -
D- 2

2L
r, -
DL
g r e a t e r than one h a l f , t h e conduction l o s s e s f o r a
f i x e d o u t p u t c u r r e n t r e q u i r e m e n t are r e d u c e d by t h e D-2 V
timing overlap. 0 0 -
r!
12 - A
d
2L DL

5 . SMALL-SIGNAL MODEL 2-D 2-D -1 -I

- - - A
V -
A s m a l l - s i g n a l model d e s c r i p t i o n is i n c l u d e d f o r t h e 2C 2C RC 2c
NRT s w i t c h i n g i n t e r l e a v e d f l y b a c k c o n v e r t e r t o
demonstrate t h a t t h e small-signal c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s i 16)
a r e s i m i l a r t o t h o s e o f t h e c o n v e n t i o n a l buck-boost

- where D i s t h e f r a c t i o n t h a t a power s w i t c h ( Q 2 or
Qs i n F i g u r e 5 ) i s a c t u a l l y o n c m p a r e d t o t h e t o t a l
t i m e t h a t i t c o u l d b e on w i t h i n t.he i n t e r l e a v e d
timing c o n s t r a i n t s .

b D =
a c t u a l on t i m e

d u r a t i o n of o n e h a l f c y c l e
(17)

Thus, f o r a d u t y r a t i o o f o n e i n t h e i n t e r l e a v e d
f l y b a c k c o n v e r t e r , e a c h power s w i t c h is on f o r a
c o m p l e t e h a l f c y c l e . The f o u r z e r o s I n t h e upper
al l e f t c o r n e r of t h e A m a t r i x guarantee t h a t t h e
d e t e r m i n a n t o f A is z e r o , i m p l y i n g l i n e a r dependence
of t h e s t a t e e q u a t i o n s . This i n turn implies t h a t
t h e o r d e r o f t h e r e s u l t i n g s y s t e m is less t h a n

I P
three. A c o n c l u s i o n which is n o t s t a r t l i n g when o n e
c o n s i d e r s t h a t t h e i n d u c t o r s form a p a r a l l e l e l a n e n t
f o r two o f t h e f o u r s w i t c h s t a t e s .

A second-order s t a t e - s p a c e averaged d e s c r i p t i o n can

be developed by t a k i n g t h e c a p a c i t o r v o l t a g e and t h e
sum o f t h e i n d u c t o r c u r r e n t as t h e two s t a t e
variables. S t a t e s o n e and t h r e e a s well a s s t a t e s
two and f o u r a s shown i n F i g u r e 6 a r e i d e n t i c a l .
The r e s u l t i n g m a t r i x e q u a t i o n is

Figure 5. The s w i t c h e d - c a p a c i t o r interleaved

f l y b a c k c o n v e r t e r p r o v i d e s t r a n s f o r m e r i s o l a t i o n and
may b e d e s i g n e d t o o p e r a t e w i t h NRT s w i t c h i n g .

37
 State 1

I::=
--
dt
+

S i n c e t h e m a t r i x A is n o n s i n g u l a r , equatj.on
d e s c r i b e s t h e c i r c u i t as a s e c o n d - o r d e r system.
A
d (18)

18

The s t a t e - s p a c e a v e r a g e d e q u a t i o n s may b e coriverted

i n t o t r a n s f e r f u n c t i o n d e s c r i p t i o n s ( a l s o known a s a
g-parameter d e s c r i p t i o n ) o f t h e power c o n v e r t e r
State 2 A
Vo(s) D 1/LEC
C v g ( s ) =-if = -
Vg(s) 2-D s2 + s/RC + ~/LEC

Vo( s )
Gvd(s) = 7
P

=
Vin 2R - SDLE
-
d( 8 ) ( ~-D)~LERC 82 + s/RC + ~/LEC
A

Iin(s) D2 s 1/RC
-
+

Cig(s) = I \=
Vg(s) 2L 82 + s/RC + 1/L&
A

Iin(s) DVin s + (2+D)/2RC

Gid(s) = 7 = -
State 3 d(s) (2-D)L 82 + s/RC * ~ / L E C

(19 - 22)
where

2L
LE = -)*
( 2-D
(23)

F o l l o w i n g t h e p r o c e d u r e i n t71, w e obtain t h e
e q u i v a l e n t continuous-time ( o r canonical) c i r c u i t
model of F i g u r e 7.

By c a s t i n g t h e i n t e r l e a v e d buck-boost ( f l y b a c k )
t o p o l o g y i n t o t h e form o f a c o n t i n u o u s - t i m e c i r c u i t ,
State 4 w e have a c o n v e n i e n t means of c a p a r i n g dynamic
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of the interleaved buck-boost
t o p o l o g y w i t h t h o s e o f t h e r o o t buck-boost t o p o l o g y .
-1
I f t h e d u t y r a t i o is n o r m a l i z e d t o a s w i t c h c y c l e
d t h a t i n c l u d e s b o t h "halves" of t h e i n t e r l e a v e d
- operation, t h e e q u i v a l e n t c i r c u i t of t h e i n t e r l e a v e d
-- v buck-boost is identical t o the conventional
-- buck-boost e x c e p t f o r t h e t e r m s LE and J as shown i n
F i g u r e 7. The v a r i a t i o n i n LE n o t a s i g n i i i c a n t
c + d e p a r t u r e , s i n c e it i s s i m p l y h a l f of t h e v a l u e f o r
a s i n g l e i n d u c t o r t o p o l o g y , which h a s t h e e f f e c t of
L
i - - placing the two i n d u c t o r s o f t h e i n t e r l e a v e d
buck-boost i n p a r a l l e l a t low f r e q u e n c i e s .
F i g u r e 6 . T h e r e are f o u r states i n a c m p l e t e
s w i t c h i n g c y c l e for t h e i n t e r l e a v e d buck-boost More s i g n i f i c a n t is t h e f a c t o r D, p r e s e n t i n J, f o r
c o n v e r t e r which o p e r a t e s w i t h NRT s w i t c h i n g . t h e i n t e r l e a v e d buck-boost topology. T h i s is a
d e p a r t u r e from t h e i n p u t c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f t h e r o o t
topology. T h i s d e p a r t u r e a r i s e s because interl.eaved
v e r s i o n h a s s t a t e s i n which i n d u c t i v e e l e m e n t s are
connected to both the input and output
s i m u l t a n e o u s l y - a c i r c u m s t a n c e n e v e r e x p e r i e n c e d by
t h e s i m p l e buck b o o s t c o n v e r t e r . The t e r m h a s n o
e f f e c t on t h e c o n t r o l t o o u t p u t c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s , b u t
 Conv.
Buck-
Boost

Inter.
Buck-
Boost F i g u r e 8. The o u t p u t waveform8 o f t h e d i g i t a l
c o n t r o l l e r are used d r i v e t h e power switching
t r a n s i s t o r s w i t h a b l a n k i n g i n t e r v a l o f 117.5 n s e c .
F i g u r e 7. The c o n v e n t i o n a l buck-boost c o n v e r t e r and
t h e i n t e r l e a v e d buck-boost c o n v e r t e r are c m p a r e d
u s i n g t h e c a n o n i c a l c i r c u i t model o f Middlebrook and t r a c e ) f o r power s w i t c h 122 a r e shown i n F i g u r e 9. A
CUk. z e r o - v o l t a g e t u r n on t r a n s i t i o n f o r Q2 is shown i n
middle photograph of F i g u r e 9. The t u r n on
t r a n s i t i o n f o r Q 2 is i n i t i a t e d when Q l is t u r n e d o f f
it d o e s a f f e c t t h e i n p u t impedance of t h e c i r c u i t causing t h e drain-to-source f o r v o l t a g e f o r Q2 t o
and hence t h e i n p u t f i l t e r parameters r e q u i r e d f o r s t a r t t o d r o p 104 n s e c b e f o r e t h e g a t e of Q2 is
acceptable operation. d r i v e n h i g h . A s F i g u r e 9 shows, t h e d r a i n t o s o u r c e
v o l t a g e f o r Q2 is a p p r o x i m a t e l y zero when t h e g a t e
a c t u a l l y t u r n s ( c h a n n e l o f ) t h e t r a n s i s t o r on. A
7. EXPERIMENTAL VERIFICATION z e r o - v o l t a g e t r u n o f f t r a n s i t i o n f o r Q2 is shown i n
lower p h o t o g r a p h o f F i g u r e 9, where t h e g a t e - t o -
An e x p e r i m e n t a l i n t e r l e a v e d f l y b a c k c o n v e r t e r i s s o u r c e v o l t a g e is r a p i d l y s w i t c h e d below the
u s e d t o e x p e r i m e n t a l l y v e r i f y VZRT s w i t c h i n g . In threshold v o l t a g e while t h e drain-to-source v o l t a g e
r e f e r e n c e t o F i g u r e 5, e a c h f l y b a c k s e c t i o n o p e r a t e s is a p p r o x i m a t e l y z e r o . The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c p l a t e a u
a t a s w i t c h i n g f r e q u e n c y of 1 M H z w i t h 500 n s e c i n t h e gate-to-source v o l t a g e waveform a s s o c i a t e d
d e l a y ( o r 1800 p h a s e s h i f t ) between s e c t i o n s . Thus, w i t h d r i v i n g t h e FET t h r o u g h t h r e s h o l d is e l i m i n a t e d
t h e f r e q u e n c y o f t h e i n p u t and o u t p u t r i p p l e is 2 u s i n g NRT s w i t c h i n g .
MHz. The e x p e r i m e n t a l c i r c u i t o p e r a t e s f r a n a n
i n p u t v o l t a g e s o u r c e o f 55 Vdc ( * / - 1 0 p e r c e n t ) and A e f f i c i e n c y o f 83 p e r c e n t h a s been measured i n t h e
p r o v i d e s 40 watts o f o u t p u t power a t 3.3 Vdc. experimental i n t e r l e a v e d flyback c i r c u i t providing
40 Watts o f o u t p u t power a t 3.3 Vdc s w i t c h i n g a t 1
A d i g i t a l c o n t r o l l e r C 8 1 is used t o c l o s e t h e MHz. The e f f i c i e n c y d o e s n o t i n c l u d e t h e 1.15 watt
feedback l o o p which is implemented i n a CMOS g a t e power loss i n t h e g a t e d r i v e a m p l i f i e r a n d 1.5 w a t t
array. The e r r o r i n o u t p u t v o l t a g e o f t h e power power loss i n t h e d i g i t a l c o n t r o l l e r . If the gate
c o n v e r t e r is sampled and d i g i t i z e d e a c h s w i t c h i n g d r i v e and c o n t r o l power is i n c l u d e d , t h e f u l l l o a d
cycle and used a s t h e i n p u t t o t h e d i g i t a l e f f i c i e n c y is r e d u c e d t o 76 p e r c e n t .
c o n t r o l l e r . The d i g i t a l c o n t r o l l e r g e n e r a t e s p u l s e
w i d t h m o d u l a t e d waveforms with t h e a p p r o p r i a t e
b l a n k i n g i n t e r v a l s t o d r i v e power t r a n s i s t o r s 91 8. SUMMARY
t h r o u g h (16 i n a NRT s w i t c h i n g mode. Typical
d i g i t a l c o n t r o l l e r o u t p u t waveforms a r e shown i n A zero-voltage switching technique has been
F i g u r e 8. The upper waveform o f F i g u r e 8 is d e s c r i b e d which u t i l i z e s a r e s o n a n t transition
i n v e r t e d by t h e g a t e d r i v e a m p l i f i e r and used t o during a short but f i n i t e switching interval. This
d r i v e b o t h Q1 a n d Q3 s i m u l t a n e o u s l y . The l o w e r zero-voltage r e s o n a n t - t r a n s i t i o n (NRT) s w i t c h i n g
wavefrcm o f F i g u r e 8 ( w h i c h is n o t i n v e r t e d by t h e t e c h n i q u e c a n b e a p p l i e d t o c o n v e n t i o n a l buck,
g a t e d r i v e a m p l i f i e r ) i s used t o d r i v e Q2. A boost, and buck-boost power c o n v e r t e r t o p o l o g i e s
b l a n k i n g t i m e t b o f 117.5 n s e c h a s been s e l e c t e d which o p e r a t e w i t h a c o n s t a n t s w i t c h i n g f r e q u e n c y
(via a digital input port to the digital controller and u s e p u l s e w i d t h m o d u l a t i o n f o r o u t p u t c o n t r o l .
t i m i n g l o g i c ) f o r b o t h t h e t u r n on and t h e t u r n o f f S i n c e f r e q u e n c y d e p e n d e n t losses are g r e a t l y r e d u c e d
transitions. i n t h e power t r a n s i s t o r s , e f f i c i e n t o p e r a t i o n a t
higher switching frequencies ( o v e r 1 M H z ) is
The g a t e - t o - s o u r c e v o l t a g e a t 5 V/div ( u p p e r t r a c e ) allowed. However, c o n d u c t i o n losses are i n c r e a s e d
and drain-to-source v o l t a g e a t 50 V/div <lower because ripple currents are increased and

30
 s y n c h r o n o u s r e c t i f i c a t i o n is r e q u i r e d . Experimental
r e s u l t s are p r e s e n t e d f o r a n i n t e r l e a v e d f l y b a c k
c o n v e r t e r which o p e r a t e s w i t h ZVRT s w i t c h i n g a t 1
MHz.

REFERENCES

Cll. K. H. L i u and F. C . L e e , "Resonant S w i t c h e s -

A U n i f i e d Approach t o Improve Performance o f
Switching Converters," I EEE I NTELEC
P r o c e e d i n g s ; pp 344-351, 1984.

C21. K. H. L i u and F. C. L e e , "Zero-Voltage

S w i t c h i n g T e c h n i q u e i n DC-DC C o n v e r t e r s , " IEEE
PESC Record; pp 58-70, 1986.

C37. R. G o l d f a r b , "A N e w N o n - D i s s i p a t i v e Load-Line

Shaping Technique E l i m i n a t e s Switching S t r e s s
i n B r i d g e C o n v e r t e r s , " P r o c e e d i n g s isf Powercon
8; p a p e r D-4, 1981.

C41. T. M. Undeland, "Snubbers f o r %1se Width

Modulated Bridge Converters w.ith Power
T r n a s i s t o r s or GTQs," IEEJ IPEC Record; pp
313-323, 1983.

C51. R. P. S e v e r n s and G.Bloom, Pfocfe.-n K-to-LX

Swi t c M e Power Converter C i r c :iits, Van
Nostrand R e i n h o l d , N e w York; pp 19-23, 1985.

C61. H. C. M a r t i n , " M i n i a t u r e Power SUPPLYTopology

f o r Low V o l t a g e Low R i p p l e Requirments," U. S .
P a t e n t 4,618,919.

C77. R. D. Middlebrook and S. Cuk, " 4 G e n e r a l

Unified Approach t o Modeling Switching-
C o n v e r t e r Power S t a g e s , " Advances : n Switched
Node Power Conversion Vol. I & I I , T o s l a c o i pp
73-89, 1983.

C87. C. P. Henze and N. Mohan, "Modeling and

Implementation o f a D i g i t a l l y C o n t r o l l e d Power
Converter Using Duty R a t i o Q u a n t i z a t i o n , "
IEEYESA PESC Record, ESA p r o c e e d i n g s ; pp
245-255, 1985.

Figure 9. ZVRT s w i t c h i n g waveforms in the

i n t e r l e a v e d f l y b a c k c o n v e r t e r f o r power t r a n s i s t o r
Q2 i n t h e i n t e r l e a v e d f l y b a c k c o n v e r t e r . The upper
t r a c e is t h e g a t e - t o - s o u r c e v o l t a g e a t 5 V/div and
t h e lower t r a c e is t h e d r a i n - t o - s o u r c e v o l t a g e a t 50
V/div. The m i d d l e p h o t o g r a p h shows z e r o - v o l t a g e
t u r n - o n and t h e lower p h o t o g r a p h shows z e r o - v o l t a g e
t u r n - o f f a t 20 naec/div.

40