Chapter 6

Converter Circuits

(Chapter 6 Erickson)

6.1. Circuit manipulations

Where do the boost,

buck-boost, and other
converters originate?

6.2. A short list of

converters

How can we obtain a

converter having given
desired properties?

6.3. Switch realization

Power Electronics

How SPDTs and SPSTs

can be implemented with real
semiconductor devices
1

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

6.1. Circuit Manipulations

L

+
+

Vg

Vo

Begin with buck converter: previously derived from first principles

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

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 = DV 1

Port 1

+
+

Port 2

+
2

V1

V2

Power flow
Power Electronics

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Inversion of source and load

Interchange power source and load:

Port 1

Port 2

+
2

V1

V2

Power flow

V1 = 1 V2
D

V2 = DV1
Power Electronics

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Realization of switches

Port 1

Reversal of power
flow requires new
realization of
switches
Transistor conducts
when switch is in
position 2

Power Electronics

Port 2

V1

V2

+
_

Power flow

Interchange of D
and D

V1 = 1 V2
D'

Inversion of buck converter yields boost converter

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

6.1.2. Cascade connection of converters

Converter 1
Vg

V1

Converter 2

+
V1

= M1 (D)

Vg

Vo = M (D)
2
V1

+
Vo

V 1 = M 1 (D)V g

Vo = M 2 (D)V 1

Power Electronics

Vo = M(D) = M (D)M (D)

1
2
Vg

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Example: buck cascaded by boost

L1

L2

+
Vg

C1

C2

V1

Vo

{
{

Buck converter

Boost converter

V1
=D
Vg

Vo = D
Vg 1 D

Vo = 1
V1 1 D
Power Electronics

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Buck cascaded by boost:

simplification of internal filter
Remove capacitor C1
L1

L2

+
Vg

C2

Vo

Combine inductors L1 and L2

L

iL

+
Vg

Vo

Noninverting
buck-boost
converter

Power Electronics

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Noninverting buck-boost converter

L

iL

+
Vg

Vo

subinterval 1
iL
Vg

subinterval 2
+

Vo

Vg

Vo
iL

Power Electronics

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Reversal of output voltage polarity

subinterval 1

subinterval 2

noninverting
buck-boost

Vg

iL
+

Vo

Vg

iL

iL

inverting
buck-boost

Vg

Vo

Power Electronics

10

Vo

iL
Vg

+
Vo

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Reduction of number of switches:

inverting buck-boost
Subinterval 1
+

iL
Vg

Subinterval 2

iL

Vo

Vg

Vo

One side of inductor always connected to ground

hence, only one SPDT switch needed:

Vg

iL

Vo

V0 = D
Vg
1D

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

uk converter: boost cascaded by buck

Power Electronics

12

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

6.1.3. Rotation of three-terminal cell

v

Treat inductor and

SPDT switch as threeterminal cell:

B
+

Vg

c
C

vo

Three-terminal cell can be connected between source and load in six ways out of which
three are nontrivial and distinct:
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

Power Electronics

13

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Rotation of a dual three-terminal network

A capacitor and SPDT

switch as a threeterminal cell:

A a
Vg

b B
2

vo
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

uk converter

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

V1 = M(D) Vg

Vo
Vg

The outputs V1 and V2

may both be positive,
but the differential
output voltage Vo can be
positive or negative.

+
V2

V2 = M(D') Vg

Vo = V1 V 2

Converter 2

Differential load
voltage is

D'
Power Electronics

15

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Differential connection using two buck converters

Buck converter 1
1

Converter #1 transistor
driven with duty cycle D

+
2

V1
+

Vo
Vg

Converter #2 transistor
driven with duty cycle
complement D
Differential load voltage
is

2
1

Vo = DVg D'V g

+
V2

Simplify:

Vo = (2D 1)V g

Buck converter 2

Power Electronics

16

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Conversion ratio M(D),

differentially-connected buck converters
Vo = (2D 1)V g

M(D)
1

0
0.5

1
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

Vg

V1
+

Vo

Vo

Vg
2

V2

Buck converter 2

Power Electronics

18

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Simplification of filter circuit,

differentially-connected buck converters
Re-draw for clarity

Combine series-connected
inductors

Vg

+
_

1
2

L
iL

+ Vo
1

R
+
Vg

Vo

Single phase H-bridge, or bridge inverter

Power Electronics

Commonly used in single-phase inverter

applications and in servo amplifier applications

19

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Differential connection to obtain 3 inverter

dc source

3ac load

Converter 1

V 1 = M(D 1) V g

V1

V n = 1 V 1 + V2 + V3
3

Vg

D1

Converter 2

V 2 = M(D 2) V g

V2

+ vSn

D2

Converter 3

V 3 = M(D 3) V g

V3

Vn

Phase voltages are

VRn = V1 Vn
VSn = V2 Vn
VTn = V3 Vn
Control converters such that
their output voltages contain
the same dc biases. This dc
bias will appear at the neutral
point Vn. It then cancels out,
so phase voltages contain no
dc bias.

D3

Power Electronics

With balanced 3 load,

neutral voltage is

20

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

3 differential connection of three buck converters

3ac load
dc source

+
V1

Vg

+ vSn

Vn

V2

+
V3

Power Electronics

21

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

3 differential connection of three buck converters

Re-draw for clarity:
dc source

Vg

3ac load

+ vSn

Vn

Voltage-source inverter or buck-derived three-phase inverter

Power Electronics

22

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

The 3 current-source inverter

dc source

Vg

3ac load

+ vSn

Vn

Exhibits a boost-type conversion characteristic

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.

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
Power Electronics

inverse of Watkins-Johnson
25

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Converters producing a unipolar output voltage

M(D) = D

1. Buck

M(D)
1

+
Vg

0.5

Vo

M(D) =

2. Boost

1
1D

0.5

Vo

1
0

Power Electronics

+
Vg

0.5

M(D)

26

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Converters producing a unipolar output voltage

3. Buck-boost

M(D) =
1

D
1D

0.5

0.5

0
0

Vg

Vo

3
4

4. Noninverting buck-boost

M(D) =

M(D)

D
1D

M(D)

+
Vg

Vo
1
0

Power Electronics

27

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Converters producing a bipolar output voltage

suitable as dc-ac inverters
M(D) = 2D 1

5. Bridge

M(D)
1

Vg

+ Vo

0.5

0.5

M(D) = 2D 1
D

6. Watkins-Johnson

M(D)
1

or

0
1

Vg

Vo
1

Power Electronics

Vg

Vo

28

2
3

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

0.5

Vg

2
1

Vo

M(D) =

8. Inverse of Watkins-Johnson
1

Vg

Power Electronics

D
2D 1

M(D)

1
+
Vo

or

+
Vg

Vo

1
0
1

29

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Several members of the class of two-inductor converters

uk
1. C

M(D) =

D
1D

0.5

0.5

0
1

+
Vg

2
3

Vo

M(D)

M(D) =

2. SEPIC

D
1D

M(D)
4

Vg

+
3
2

Vo

Power Electronics

30

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Several members of the class of two-inductor converters

M(D) =

3. Inverse of SEPIC (ZETA)

1

D
1D

M(D)
4

+
Vg

3
2

Vo

1
0

M(D) = D 2

4. Buck 2

0.5

0.5

M(D)

+
Vg

Vo

Power Electronics

31

0.5

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

6.3. Switch Realization

Switch applications
6.3.1. Single - quadrant switches
6.3.2. Two - quadrant switches.
6.3.3. Four-quadrant switches.
6.3.4. Synchronous rectifiers
6.3.5. Summary of key points

Power Electronics

32

Chapter 6: Switch realization

SPST (single-pole single-throw) switches

SPST switch, with
voltage and current
polarities defined

Buck converter
with SPDT switch:
L

1
+

iL(t)

Vg

with two SPST switches:

0

All power semiconductor

devices function as SPST
switches between their power.
terminals
Power Electronics

Vo

iA

iL(t)
+

+ vA
Vg

33

vB
+

B
iB

Vo

Chapter 6: Switch realization

Realization of SPDT switch using two SPST switches

A nontrivial step: two SPST switches are not exactly equivalent to one
SPDT switch
It is possible for both SPST switches to be simultaneously ON or OFF
Behavior of converter is then significantly modified
discontinuous conduction modes
Conducting state of SPST switch may depend on applied voltage or
current for example: diode

Power Electronics

34

Chapter 6: Switch realization

Quadrants of SPST switch operation

1
i

Switch
on state
current

A single-quadrant
switch example:

ON-state: i > 0

OFF-state: v > 0
0
Switch
off
off state voltage

Power Electronics

35

Chapter 6: Switch realization

Some basic switch applications

Singlequadrant
switch

switch
on-state
current

switch
off-state
voltage
of

Currentbidirectional
two-quadrant
switch

Power Electronics

switch
off-state
voltage

switch
on-state
current

switch
on-state
current

Voltagebidirectional
two-quadrant
switch

switch
on-state
current

Fourquadrant
switch

switch
off-state
voltage

36

switch
off-state
voltage

Chapter 6: Switch realization

6.3.1.
1
+

Single-quadrant switches

Active switch: Switch state is controlled exclusively

by a third terminal (control terminal).
Passive switch: Switch state is controlled by the
applied current and/or voltage at terminals 1 and 0.

SCR: A special case turn-on transition is active,

while turn-off transition is passive.
Single-quadrant switch: on-state i(t) and off-state v(t)
are unipolar (not necessarily positive).

Power Electronics

37

Chapter 6: Switch realization

The diode
A passive switch

i
1
+

Single-quadrant switch:
can conduct positive onstate current

on

i
v

off

Symbol

Power Electronics

instantaneous i-v characteristic

38

can block negative offstate voltage

provided that the intended
on-state and off-state
operating points lie on the
diode i-v characteristic,
then switch can be
realized using a diode

Chapter 6: Switch realization

The Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT) and the

Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT)

BJT
C

1
i +
v

IGBT
C

An active switch, controlled

by terminal C

Single-quadrant switch:

on
off

can block positive off-state

voltage

1
i +
v

Power Electronics

can conduct positive onstate current

instantaneous i-v characteristic

39

provided that the intended

on-state and off-state
operating points lie on the
transistor i-v characteristic,
then switch can be realized
using a BJT or IGBT
Chapter 6: Switch realization

The Metal-Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect

Transistor (MOSFET)
An active switch, controlled by
terminal C

1
i +

Normally operated as singlequadrant switch:

on
v

off

on

(reverse conduction)

can conduct positive on-state

current (can also conduct
negative current in some
circumstances)
can block positive off-state
voltage

Symbol

Power Electronics

instantaneous i-v characteristic

40

provided that the intended onstate and off-state operating

points lie on the MOSFET i-v
characteristic, then switch can
be realized using a MOSFET
Chapter 6: Switch realization

Realization of switch using

transistors and diodes
Buck converter example
iA

iL(t)
+

+ vA
Vg

vB

Switch A: transistor

iB

Switch B: diode

iA

SPST switch
operating points

Switch A

on

iB
Switch B

iL

on

Switch A

Switch B

off

Vg

off

vA

Switch A
Power Electronics

iL

Vg

vB

Switch B
41

Chapter 6: Switch realization

Realization of buck converter

using single-quadrant switches
iA

vA

Vg

vB

iL(t)

vL(t)

+
iB
iA

Switch A

on

iB
Switch B

iL

on

Switch A

Switch B

off

Vg

Power Electronics

iL

off

vA

Vg

42

vB

Chapter 6: Switch realization

6.3.2 Two quadrant switches

Current-bidirectional two-quadrant switches
Usually an active switch,
controlled by terminal C

1
i

on

(transistor conducts)

BJT / anti-parallel
diode realization

Power Electronics

off

on

(diode conducts)

instantaneous i-v
characteristic

43

Normally operated as twoquadrant switch:

can conduct positive or
negative on-state current
can block positive off-state
voltage
provided that the intended onstate and off-state operating
points lie on the composite i-v
characteristic, then switch can
be realized as shown

Chapter 6: Switch realization

Two quadrant switches

switch
on-state
current

i
1
+

on

(transistor conducts )

off

switch
off-state
voltage

Power Electronics

on

(diode conducts)

44

Chapter 6: Switch realization

MOSFET body diode

1
i

on

(transistor conducts)

off

on

(diode conducts)

0
Power MOSFET
characteristics

Power Electronics

Power MOSFET,
and its integral
body diode
45

Use of external diodes

to prevent conduction
of body diode
Chapter 6: Switch realization

A simple inverter
iA
+
Vg

Q1

v0(t) = (2D 1) Vg

D 1 vA

iL
+

+
Vg

Q2

D2 v
B

v0

iB

Power Electronics

46

Chapter 6: Switch realization

Inverter: sinusoidal modulation of D

v0(t) = (2D 1) Vg
v0

Sinusoidal modulation to
produce ac output:

Vg

D(t) = 0.5 + Dm sin (t)

D

0
0.5

Vg

The resulting inductor

current variation is also
sinusoidal:
i L(t) =

Vg
v0(t)
= (2D 1)
R
R

Hence, current-bidirectional
two-quadrant switches are
required.
Power Electronics

47

Chapter 6: Switch realization

The dc-3ac voltage source inverter (VSI)

iR
Vg

iS
iT

Switches must block dc input voltage, and conduct ac load current.

Power Electronics

48

Chapter 6: Switch realization

Bidirectional battery charger/discharger

D1
L
+

+
Q1

vbus
spacecraft
main power bus

Q2

vbatt

D2

vbus > vbatt

A dc-dc converter with bidirectional power flow.

Power Electronics

49

Chapter 6: Switch realization

Voltage-bidirectional two-quadrant switches

Usually an active switch,
controlled by terminal C
+

Normally operated as twoquadrant switch:

on
v

off

BJT / series
diode realization

(diode
blocks voltage)

off

(transistor
blocks voltage)

instantaneous i-v
characteristic

can conduct positive on-state

current
can block positive or negative
off-state voltage
provided that the intended onstate and off-state operating
points lie on the composite i-v
characteristic, then switch can
be realized as shown
The SCR is such a device,
without controlled turn-off

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50

Chapter 6: Switch realization

Two-quadrant switches

1
i

switch
on-state
current

on

v
off

1
i

(diode
blocks voltage)

off

(transistor
blocks voltage)

s witch
o ff-state
v oltage

Power Electronics

51

Chapter 6: Switch realization

A dc-3ac buck-boost inverter

iL

+
vab(t)

Vg

+
v bc(t)

Requires voltage-bidirectional two-quadrant switches.

Another example: boost-type inverter, or current-source inverter (CSI).
Power Electronics

52

Chapter 6: Switch realization

6.3.3. Four-quadrant switches

switch
on-state
current

Usually an active switch,

controlled by terminal C
can conduct positive or
negative on-state current
switch
off-state
voltage

Power Electronics

can block positive or negative

off-state voltage

53

Chapter 6: Switch realization

Three ways to realize a four-quadrant switch

1
+

1
i

0
0

Power Electronics

54

Chapter 6: Switch realization

A 3ac-3ac matrix converter

3ac input

3ac output
iR

vRn(t)

vSn(t)

iS

vTn(t)
iT

All voltages and currents are ac; hence, four-quadrant switches are required.
Requires nine four-quadrant switches

Power Electronics

55

Chapter 6: Switch realization

6.3.4 Synchronous rectifier

Replacement of diode with a backwards-connected MOSFET,
to obtain reduced conduction loss
i

ideal switch

Power Electronics

1
i +

conventional
diode rectifier

MOSFET as
synchronous
rectifier
56

on

(reverse conduction)

off

on

instantaneous i-v
characteristic

Chapter 6: Switch realization

Buck converter with synchronous rectifier

iA

vA

Q1

Vg

iL(t)

vB

C
C
Q2

MOSFET Q2 is
controlled to turn on
when diode would
normally conduct
Semiconductor
conduction loss can
be made arbitrarily
small, by reduction
of MOSFET onresistances

+
iB

Useful in low-voltage
high-current
applications

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57

Chapter 6: Switch realization

6.5. Summary of key points

1. How an SPST ideal switch can be realized using semiconductor devices
depends on the polarity of the voltage which the devices must block in the
off-state, and on the polarity of the current which the devices must conduct
in the on-state.
2. Single-quadrant SPST switches can be realized using a single transistor or
a single diode, depending on the relative polarities of the off-state voltage
and on-state current.
3. Two-quadrant SPST switches can be realized using a transistor and diode,
connected in series (bidirectional-voltage) or in anti-parallel (bidirectionalcurrent). Several four-quadrant schemes are also listed here.
4. A synchronous rectifier is a MOSFET connected to conduct reverse
current, with gate drive control as necessary. This device can be used
where a diode would otherwise be required. If a MOSFET with sufficiently
low Ron is used, reduced conduction loss is obtained.

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58

Chapter 6: Switch realization