Chapter 6.

Converter Circuits

5 Questions
• Where do the boost,
6.1. Circuit manipulations buck-boost, and other
converters originate?
6.2. A short list of • How can we obtain a
converters converter having given
desired properties?
6.3. Transformer isolation
• What converters are
6.4. Converter evaluation possible?

and design • How can we obtain

transformer isolation in a
6.5. Summary of key converter?
points • For a given application,
which converter is best?

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 1 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

6.1. Circuit Manipulations

L
1
+

2
Vg + C R V
–

Begin with buck converter: derived in Chapter 1 from first principles

• Switch changes dc component, low-pass filter removes
switching harmonics
• Conversion ratio is M = D

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 2 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

6.1.1. Inversion of source and load

Interchange power input and output ports of a converter

Buck converter example
V2 = DV1
Port 1 Port 2
L
1

+ +
2
+ V1 V2
–
– –

Power flow

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 3 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Inversion of source and load

Interchange power source and load:

Port 1 Port 2
L
1

+ +
2
V1 V2 +
–
– –

Power flow

V2 = DV1 V1 = 1 V2
D

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 4 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Realization of switches
as in Chapter 4

Port 1 Port 2
• Reversal of power L
flow requires new
realization of + +
switches
V1 V2 +
–
• Transistor conducts
when switch is in – –
position 2
• Interchange of D Power flow
and D’

V1 = 1 V2 Inversion of buck converter yields boost converter

D'

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 5 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

6.1.2. Cascade connection of converters

Converter 1 + Converter 2 +

Vg + V1 V
– V1 V = M (D)
= M 1(D) V1 2
Vg – –

V1 = M 1 (D)Vg
V = M(D) = M (D)M (D)
Vg 1 2
V = M 2 (D)V1

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 6 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Example: buck cascaded by boost

L1 L2 2
1
+ +

2 1
Vg + C1 V1 C2 R V
–

– –
{
{
Buck converter Boost converter

V1
=D
Vg
V = D
Vg 1 – D
V = 1
V1 1 – D

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 7 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Buck cascaded by boost:
simplification of internal filter

Remove capacitor C1
L1 L2 2
1
+

2 1
Vg + C2 R V
–

Combine inductors L1 and L2

1 L iL 2
+

2 1 Noninverting
+
Vg
–
V buck-boost
converter
–

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 8 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Noninverting buck-boost converter

1 L iL 2
+

2 1
Vg + V
–

subinterval 1 subinterval 2

+ +
iL

Vg + V Vg + V
– –
iL
– –

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 9 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Reversal of output voltage polarity

subinterval 1 subinterval 2
+ +
iL

Vg + V Vg + V
noninverting – –
buck-boost iL
– –

+ iL +
iL

inverting Vg + V Vg + V
– –
buck-boost
– –

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 10 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Reduction of number of switches:
inverting buck-boost

Subinterval 1 Subinterval 2
+ iL +
iL

Vg + V Vg + V
– –

– –

One side of inductor always connected to ground

— hence, only one SPDT switch needed:

1 2 +

iL V =– D
Vg + V Vg 1–D
–

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 11 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Discussion: cascade connections

• Properties of buck-boost converter follow from its derivation

as buck cascaded by boost
Equivalent circuit model: buck 1:D transformer cascaded by boost
D’:1 transformer
Pulsating input current of buck converter
Pulsating output current of boost converter
• Other cascade connections are possible
Cuk converter: boost cascaded by buck

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 12 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

6.1.3. Rotation of three-terminal cell

e-t er mi na l
ce
Treat inductor and
T hre

ll
SPDT switch as three- A a 1 b B
terminal cell: +

2
Vg + v
– c
C
–

Three-terminal cell can be connected between source and load in three

nontrivial distinct ways:
a-A b-B c-C buck converter
a-C b-A c-B boost converter
a-A b-C c-B buck-boost converter

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 13 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Rotation of a dual three-terminal network

A capacitor and SPDT - t er m i n a l

ree c

Th
switch as a three-

el l
1
terminal cell: A a b B +

2
Vg + v
–
c
C –

Three-terminal cell can be connected between source and load in three

nontrivial distinct ways:
a-A b-B c-C buck converter with L-C input filter
a-C b-A c-B boost converter with L-C output filter
a-A b-C c-B Cuk converter

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 14 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

6.1.4. Differential connection of load
to obtain bipolar output voltage

dc source load

Converter 1 +
V1 Differential load
V1 = M(D) Vg + voltage is
–
V
V = V1 – V2
–
Vg + D
– The outputs V1 and V2
may both be positive,
Converter 2 but the differential
+ output voltage V can be
V2 positive or negative.
V2 = M(D') Vg
–

D'

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 15 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Differential connection using two buck converters

Buck converter 1

}
1

+ Converter #1 transistor
2
V1 driven with duty cycle D
+
– Converter #2 transistor
V driven with duty cycle
+
– complement D’
Vg
–
Differential load voltage
2 is
1
+ V = DVg – D'V g
V2
Simplify:
–
V = (2D – 1)Vg
{
Buck converter 2

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 16 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Conversion ratio M(D),
differentially-connected buck converters

V = (2D – 1)Vg
M(D)
1

0
0.5 1 D

–1

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 17 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Simplification of filter circuit,
differentially-connected buck converters

Original circuit Bypass load directly with capacitor

Buck converter 1

} 1

2
+
V1
–
+
1

+
V V
– –
Vg + Vg +
– –
2 2

+
1 1
V2
–
{
Buck converter 2

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 18 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Simplification of filter circuit,
differentially-connected buck converters

Combine series-connected Re-draw for clarity

inductors
1
C
1 L 2
Vg +
2 – + V –
iL
2 1
R

+ V
Vg
–
– H-bridge, or bridge inverter
2
Commonly used in single-phase
1
inverter applications and in servo
amplifier applications

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 19 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Differential connection to obtain 3ø inverter

With balanced 3ø load,

dc source 3øac load
neutral voltage is
Converter 1 +

V1 Vn = 1 V1 + V2 + V3
V1 = M(D 1) Vg 3
–

+
Phase voltages are

an
D1

– v
Vg +
– Van = V1 – Vn
Converter 2 + Vn
+ vbn – Vbn = V2 – Vn

– vc
V2
V2 = M(D 2) Vg Vcn = V3 – Vn

n
–

+
D2
Control converters such that
their output voltages contain
Converter 3 +
the same dc biases. This dc
V3
V3 = M(D 3) Vg bias will appear at the
– neutral point Vn. It then
D3
cancels out, so phase
voltages contain no dc bias.

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 20 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

3ø differential connection of three buck converters

3φac load
dc source +
V1

+
–

an
– v
Vg +
–
+ Vn
+ vbn –

– vc
V2

n
–

+
+
V3

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 21 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

3ø differential connection of three buck converters

Re-draw for clarity:

dc source 3φac load

a+
n
– v
Vg + Vn
– + vbn –

– vc
n
+
“Voltage-source inverter” or buck-derived three-phase inverter

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 22 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

The 3ø current-source inverter

dc source 3φac load

a+
n
– v
Vg + Vn
– + vbn –

– vc
n
+
• Exhibits a boost-type conversion characteristic

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 23 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

6.2. A short list of converters

An infinite number of converters are possible, which contain switches

embedded in a network of inductors and capacitors
Two simple classes of converters are listed here:
• Single-input single-output converters containing a single
inductor. The switching period is divided into two subintervals.
This class contains eight converters.
• Single-input single-output converters containing two inductors.
The switching period is divided into two subintervals. Several of
the more interesting members of this class are listed.

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 24 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Single-input single-output converters
containing one inductor

• Use switches to connect inductor between source and load, in one

manner during first subinterval and in another during second subinterval
• There are a limited number of ways to do this, so all possible
combinations can be found
• After elimination of degenerate and redundant cases, eight converters
are found:
dc-dc converters
buck boost buck-boost noninverting buck-boost
dc-ac converters
bridge Watkins-Johnson
ac-dc converters
current-fed bridge inverse of Watkins-Johnson

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 25 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Converters producing a unipolar output voltage

1. Buck M(D) = D
M(D)
1 1
+

2
Vg + V 0.5
–

– 0
0 0.5 1 D

M(D) = 1 M(D)
2. Boost 1–D
2 4

+ 3

1 2
Vg + V
– 1

0
– 0 0.5 1 D

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 26 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Converters producing a unipolar output voltage

D 0 0.5 1 D
3. Buck-boost M(D) = – 0
1–D
–1
1 2 +
–2

Vg + V –3
–
–4
– M(D)

4. Noninverting buck-boost M(D) = D

1–D M(D)
1 2 4
+ 3

2 1 2
Vg + V
– 1

– 0
0 0.5 1 D

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 27 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Converters producing a bipolar output voltage
suitable as dc-ac inverters

5. Bridge M(D) = 2D – 1
M(D)
1
1 2
Vg +
– + V – 0
2 1 0.5 1 D

–1

6. Watkins-Johnson M(D) = 2D – 1 M(D)

D
1 1
2 1
+ or + 0

–1
0.5 1 D
Vg + V Vg + V
– – 2 –2

–3
1 2 – –

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 28 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Converters producing a bipolar output voltage
suitable as ac-dc rectifiers

M(D)
7. Current-fed bridge M(D) = 1
2D – 1 2

1
0.5 1 D
0
1 2
+ –1
Vg + V –
–
2 1 –2

8. Inverse of Watkins-Johnson M(D) = D

2D – 1 M(D)
1 2
1 2
+ or
+ 1
0.5 1 D
Vg + 0
– V Vg + V
– 2 –1

2 1 – – –2

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 29 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Several members of the class of two-inductor converters

´ M(D) = – D 0 0.5 1 D
1. Cuk 1–D 0

–1
+
–2
1 2 –3
Vg + V
–
–4

– M(D)

M(D) = D
2. SEPIC 1–D M(D)
4
2 +
3

Vg +
– 1 V 2

1
– 0
0 0.5 1 D

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 30 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Several members of the class of two-inductor converters

3. Inverse of SEPIC M(D) = D M(D)

1–D
1 4

+ 3

2
Vg + 2 V
– 1

0
– 0 0.5 1 D

4. Buck 2 M(D) = D 2
M(D)
1
1
+
2
+ 2
Vg – V 0.5

1
–
0
0 0.5 1 D

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 31 Chapter 6: Converter circuits