ZVT-PWM DC-DC boost converter with active snubber cell

Abstract

In this study, a novel zero voltage transition pulse width modulation (ZVT-PWM) DC-DC boost converter with an active snubber cell is proposed. All of the semiconductor devices in the converter turn on and off with soft switching (SS). The main feature of the proposed converter is the absence of extra current or voltage stress on the main switch and main diode. There is also no extra voltage stress on the auxiliary switch and the auxiliary diodes. The main switch turns on with ZVT and turns off with zero voltage switching. The auxiliary switch turns on with zero current switching and turns off with zero current transition. The proposed converter smoothly operates under light-load conditions. Having a simple structure at low cost is the main advantage of the proposed converter. This study also realises the theoretical analysis of the proposed converter. The experimental results, the operating stages and the key waveforms of the proposed converter, are given in detail for 500 W and 100 kHz switching frequency. Moreover, it is shown that the overall efficiency reaches a value of 97.8% at nominal output power. The proposed SS topology can be used in applications with the battery power source and low-voltage DC-link.