2372 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER ELECTRONICS, VOL. 25, NO.

9, SEPTEMBER 2010

Synthesis of Multiple-Input DC/DC Converters

Yan Li, Xinbo Ruan, Senior Member, IEEE, Dongsheng Yang, Fuxin Liu, Member, IEEE,
and Chi K. Tse, Fellow, IEEE

Abstract—Hybrid power systems continuously deliver power to the use of a multiple-input converter (MIC)to replace several
the load from several renewable energy sources. For such systems, single-input converters for reducing complexity and cost of hy-
the use of a multiple-input converter (MIC) has the advantage of brid power systems has attracted increasing attention.
simpler circuit structure and lower cost, compared to the use of
several single-input converters. By decomposing converters into MIC is capable of converting power from multiple power
basic cells, namely, pulsating source cells and output filters, a set sources to a common load. The basic MIC was derived from
of basic rules for generating multiple-input converter topologies a buck converter by adding more dc-input voltage sources in
is proposed. Specifically, two families of multiple-input convert- parallel with the original dc-input voltage source [3], [4]. As
ers are systematically generated. In the first family of MICs, all the available dc voltage sources have different magnitudes, and
the input sources can power the load simultaneously or individ-
ually. In the second family, only one power source is allowed to hence, cannot be connected directly in parallel, the dc voltage
transfer energy to the load at a time. Furthermore, some iso- sources are connected in parallel through a series-connected
lated MICs are simplified for reducing the complexity of the circuit active switch, and only one power source is allowed to trans-
configuration. fer energy to the load at a time, thus preventing more than
Index Terms—Hybrid power system, multiple-input dc/dc con- two dc voltage sources from being connected in parallel. Such
verter, output filter, pulsating source cell (PSC). connection of the dc-input voltage sources has been applied in
buck–boost converters [5], [6], flyback, and forward convert-
ers [7], [8]. The multiple-input forward converter can be re-
I. INTRODUCTION garded as an isolated multiple-input buck-derived converter, in
which an isolation transformer is incorporated. All dc-input volt-
HE USE of renewable energy sources and the development
T of power electronics systems for capitalizing such energy
sources have received renewed interest in the past decade. Com-
age sources together with their series-connected active switches
have their own individual primary windings, but they share a
secondary winding. Likewise, the multiple-input flyback con-
mon forms of renewable energy sources include photovoltaic verter can be regarded as an isolated multiple-input buck–boost
(PV) energy, hydroenergy, and wind energy, and many of such converter. The control for such MICs is typically based on a
sources are mutually complementary in the sense that they can time-multiplexing scheme.
be utilized simultaneously to maintain continuous delivery of In order to overcome the limitation of the time-multiplexing
power to the load. This transpires that a number of renewable scheme, some MICs have been proposed, which can success-
energy sources can be connected to a common dc bus through a fully transfer power from the different voltage sources to the load
number of independent single-input converters, and such config- individually or simultaneously. The MIC proposed in [9]–[11]
urations have been proposed for hybrid power systems [1], [2]. is an integration of a buck converter and a buck–boost con-
However, the use of a number of single-input converters leads verter, where the inductor and capacitor are shared by the two
to relatively complex configuration and high cost. Recently, converters, thus leading to a reduced number of passive ele-
ments. The MICs proposed in [12]–[14] are essentially based
on parallel connection at the output of a number of boost con-
Manuscript received January 8, 2010; revised March 17, 2010; accepted verters and buck–boost converters. Such MICs do not enjoy the
March 27, 2010. Date of current version September 17, 2010. This work was advantage of reduced device and element counts. However, the
supported by the National Natural Science Foundations of China under Award multiple-input isolated full-bridge boost converter [15]–[18] and
50837003 and Award 50807024, and the Program for the top talents in six fields,
Jiangsu Province, China, under Award 07-E-022. Recommended for publication multiple-input half-bridge boost converter [19] share the output
by Associate Editor K. Ngo. rectifier through a multiple-winding transformer.
Y. Li was with the Aero-Power Sci-Tech Center, College of Automation Engi- A systematic approach for synthesizing MIC topologies was
neering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016,
China, when this work was conducted (e-mail: [email protected]). reported in [20]. The concept of the pulsating voltage-source cell
X. Ruan is with the College of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, (PVSC) and the pulsating current-source cell (PCSC) were in-
Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China troduced and these pulsating source cells (PSCs) were extracted
(e-mail: [email protected]).
D. Yang and F. Liu are with the Aero-Power Sci-Tech Center, College of from the six basic nonisolated converters, including buck, boost,
Automation Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronau- buck–boost, Cuk, Zeta, and SEPIC converters. The presented
tics, Nanjing 210016, China (e-mail: [email protected]; liufuxin@ approach was to insert these PSCs into the six basic noniso-
nuaa.edu.cn).
C. K. Tse is with the Department of Electronic and Information Engineering, lated converters. The input sources of the generated nonisolated
Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong (e-mail: encktse@ MICs can transfer energy to the load individually or simulta-
polyu.edu.hk). neously. Using this approach, the resulting topologies do not
Color versions of one or more of the figures in this paper are available online
at http://ieeexplore.ieee.org. provide isolation, and the topologies with time-multiplexing
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/TPEL.2010.2047273 control scheme are not considered.

0885-8993/$26.00 © 2010 IEEE

LI et al.: SYNTHESIS OF MULTIPLE-INPUT DC/DC CONVERTERS 2373

III. BASIC PVSCS

An MIC can be decomposed into an OFC and two or more
PSCs, and the number of PSCs depends on the number of input
power sources being processed.
As mentioned in Section II, the function of PVSC is to pro-
vide a pulsating voltage. Thus, a PVSC consists of dc voltage
source(s) and a switch network. The dc voltage source(s) is/are
connected to the output terminal of the PVSC through the switch
network, and the power conversion process is properly con-
trolled. The dc voltage source can be an independent voltage
source, an intermediate storage voltage source, or the sum of
both. It should be noted that all the power delivered to the load
comes from an independent voltage source, and an intermedi-
ate storage voltage source stores energy from the independent
voltage source, and then, releases it to the load. According to
Fig. 1. Configurations of single-input converter. (a) General configuration. the form of the dc voltage source(s), three kinds of PVSCs can
(b) PVSC followed by LC-OFC. (c) PCSC followed by C-OFC. be identified, which are as follows.
Type I: The dc voltage source is an independent voltage source.
Several assumptions, restrictions, and conditions for iden- Type II: The dc voltage source is an intermediate storage voltage
tifying the feasible input cells that realize MICs from their source.
single-input converters were suggested in [21]. Based on these Type III: The dc voltage source is the sum of an independent
assumptions, restrictions, and conditions, the extended set of voltage source and an intermediate storage voltage source.
nonisolated single-input converters proposed in [22] were ver-
ified, and the feasible input cells were identified. With these A. Type I PVSCs
feasible input cells, several MICs were derived. The generated Fig. 2(a) shows the simplest PVSC, which consists of one
MICs were controlled by time-multiplexing schemes. independent voltage source Vin , one power switch Q, and one
The objective of this paper is to propose a systematic method diode D. When Q conducts, the output voltage vPVSC is Vin ;
to synthesize MICs. We consider two types of MICs. The first and when Q is turned OFF, D conducts, providing the path for the
one allows one power source to transfer energy to the load OFC current, and vPVSC is zero. The diode D is a freewheeling
at a time, and the second one allows all the input sources to diode. It can be seen that the PVSC in Fig. 2(a) is part of a buck
deliver power to the load either individually or simultaneously. converter, and hence, will be referred to as buck PVSC.
Furthermore, the relationship among the existing MICs will be The buck PVSC is nonisolated, and if galvanic isolation
revealed. is required, several isolated PVSCs, e.g., forward, push–pull,
This paper is organized as follows. Section II discusses the half-bridge, and full-bridge PVSCs, can be derived, as shown
basic cells for constructing dc–dc converters. Sections III–V in Fig. 2. The magnitude of the pulsating output voltage of
propose the basic PVSCs, basic PCSCs, and hybrid PSCs. these PVSCs is Vin /K, where K = W1 /W2 for the forward,
Section VI presents the rules for connecting PSCs, based on push–pull, and full-bridge PVSCs, and K = 2W1 /W2 for the
which, the MICs are generated in Section VII. Due to the com- half-bridge PVSC. In the forward PVSC shown in Fig. 2(b),
plexity of their circuit configurations, some isolated MIC topolo- D1 is the rectifier diode, and D2 is the freewheeling diode. In
gies are further simplified in Section VIII. Finally, conclusions push–pull, half-bridge, and full-bridge PVSCs, the diodes in the
are given in Section IX. secondary side act as both the rectifier and freewheeling diodes.

II. BASIC CELLS OF SINGLE-INPUT CONVERTERS B. Type II PVSCs

For all basic single-input dc–dc converters, it is possible to Fig. 3(a) shows the Cuk PVSC, in which the capacitor Cb
decompose each of them into two basic cells, namely, a PSC and is the energy storage element, acting as an intermediate storage
an output filter cell (OFC), as shown in Fig. 1(a). Two types of voltage source. When Q conducts, D is blocked, energy is stored
PSCs can be identified, namely, PVSCs and PCSCs. As PVSC in L, and the output voltage vPVSC is VC b , the voltage of Cb .
provides a pulsating voltage, the corresponding OFC should be It should be noted that the polarity of the output voltage is
a voltage-type low-pass filter, which is basically composed of an reversed. When Q is turned OFF, D conducts, Cb is charged by
inductor and a capacitor. Such OFC is called LC-OFC. Similarly, the current of L, and vPVSC is zero. It can be seen that the output
as PCSC provides a pulsating current, the corresponding OFC voltage of the Cuk PVSC is provided by Cb , and the energy of
should be a current-type low-pass filter, which can simply be Cb is supplied by the independent dc voltage Vin through the
realized by a capacitor. Such OFC is called C-OFC. Fig. 1(b) and inductor L.
(c) shows the configurations of PVSC followed by an LC-OFC Isolated versions of the Cuk PVSC can be derived by insert-
and PCSC followed by a C-OFC, respectively. ing an isolation transformer between the two points where the
2374 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER ELECTRONICS, VOL. 25, NO. 9, SEPTEMBER 2010

Fig. 2. Circuit configurations of (a) buck PVSC, (b) forward PVSC, (c) push–pull PVSC, (d) half-bridge PVSC, and (e) full-bridge PVSC.

by the magnetizing inductor of the transformer. In this case, the

transformer serves as a coupled inductor, same as in the flyback
converter.

IV. BASIC PCSCS

A PCSC provides a high-frequency pulsating current and
Fig. 3. Circuit configurations of (a) Cuk PVSC and (b) isolated Cuk PVSC. is capable of generating controllable power. It consists of dc
current source(s) and a switch network. The dc current source(s)
is/are delivered to the output terminal of the PCSC through the
switch network. The dc current source can be an independent
current source, an intermediate storage current source, or the
sum of both. The independent current source is always realized
by a series connection of an independent voltage source and a
large inductor. It should be noted that all power delivered to
Fig. 4. Circuit configurations of (a) Zeta PVSC and (b) isolated Zeta PVSC.
the load comes from the independent voltage source, and the
intermediate storage current source first stores energy from the
average voltage is zero in order to avoid dc bias that would sat- independent voltage source, and then, releases it to the load.
urate the transformer [23]. Cb can be split into two capacitors According to the form of the dc current source(s), three kinds
Cb1 and Cb2 , and the voltage of Cb1 is equal to Vin . Thus, the of PCSCs can be identified, which are as follows.
average voltage across the middle point of the capacitors and
the ground is zero and a transformer is inserted, as shown in Type I: The dc current source is an independent current source.
Fig. 3(b). Type II: The dc current source is an intermediate storage current
source.
C. Type III PVSCs Type III: The dc current source is the sum of both the inde-
pendent current source and the intermediate storage current
Fig. 4(a) shows the Zeta PVSC. Similar to the Cuk PVSC, source.
capacitor Cb is the energy storage element, acting as the interme-
diate storage voltage source. When Q conducts, D is blocked,
A. Type I PCSCs
and the independent dc voltage source Vin is in series with Cb .
Thus, the output voltage of the Zeta PVSC is Vin + VC b . Mean- Fig. 5(a) shows the simplest configuration of PCSC, where the
while, Vin is applied across L and charges L. When Q is turned series-connection branch of the independent voltage source Vin
OFF, D conducts, the energy stored in L is transferred to Cb and inductor L can be regarded as the independent current source
through D, and the output voltage is zero. Iin . When switch Q conducts, the current source Iin is shorted,
In the Zeta PVSC, as the average voltage across L is zero, and the output current iPCSC is zero. The diode D prevents the
we insert a transformer in parallel with L to achieve galvanic external circuit such as the OFC from being shorted, and is thus
isolation, as shown in Fig. 4(b). Furthermore, L can be realized a blocking diode. When Q is turned OFF, D conducts, and Iin
LI et al.: SYNTHESIS OF MULTIPLE-INPUT DC/DC CONVERTERS 2375

Fig. 7. Circuit configurations of (a) SEPIC PCSC and (b) isolated SEPIC
PCSC.

and the inductor L2 acts as the intermediate storage current

source. When Q conducts, D is blocked, and Vin now charges
up L1 . At the same time, the voltage of capacitor Cb , VC b , is
applied across L2 and charges L2 . The output current of the
SEPIC PCSC is zero. When Q is turned OFF, D conducts, and
the output current is the sum of the two inductor currents, i.e.,
Fig. 5. Circuit configurations of (a) boost PCSC, (b) push–pull PCSC, iPCSC = Iin + IL 2 , and Cb is charged by Iin .
(c) half-bridge PCSC, and (d) full-bridge PCSC. Similar to the insertion of a transformer in the Zeta PVSC, we
insert a transformer in parallel with the inductor L2 to achieve
galvanic isolation, as shown in Fig. 7(b). Furthermore, L2 can
be provided by the magnetizing inductance of the transformer.

V. HYBRID PSCS
As discussed in Section III, in Types II and III PVSCs, there
is an intermediate storage voltage source realized by the storage
Fig. 6. Circuit configurations of (a) buck–boost PCSC and (b) flyback PCSC. capacitor. For Type II PVSCs, which are Cuk PVSCs, the storage
capacitor directly accumulates energy from the input voltage
flows out of the output terminal. Thus, the output current of the source, and releases it to the load. For Type III PVSCs, which
PCSC iPCSC is Iin . It can be seen that the PCSC in Fig. 5(a) is are Zeta PVSCs, the storage capacitor accumulates energy from
part of the boost converter and is referred to as boost PCSC in the input voltage source through the storage inductor, i.e., the
this paper. energy is first transferred to the storage inductor from the input
Fig. 5(b)–(d) shows the isolated PCSCs, including push–pull, voltage source, and then to the storage capacitor. In fact, besides
half-bridge, and full-bridge PCSCs, where the diodes in the the input voltage source, we may also insert another PSC to
secondary side serve as both the rectifier and blocking diodes. provide energy to the storage capacitor and the storage inductor.
The magnitude of the pulsating output current of these PCSCs is Thus, hybrid PVSCs can be obtained. When a storage capacitor
KIin , where K = W1 /W2 for push–pull and full-bridge PCSCs is used, we place a PCSC in parallel with it; and when a storage
and K = 2W1 /W2 for half-bridge PCSC. inductor is used, we put a PVSC in series with it. Fig. 8 shows
the nonisolated hybrid PVSCs, where a simple boost PCSC is
B. Type II PCSCs placed in parallel with the storage capacitor, and a simple buck
PVSC is placed in series with the inductor.
Fig. 6(a) shows the buck–boost PCSC, in which the induc- Similarly, we can also insert a PVSC or PCSC in Types II
tor L acts as an intermediate storage current source. When Q and III PCSCs to provide energy for the storage inductor and
conducts, Vin is applied across L and charges it. Also, D is storage capacitor, respectively. Thus, several hybrid PCSCs are
reverse-biased and the output current iPCSC is zero. When Q is generated, as shown in Fig. 9.
turned OFF, D conducts and iPCSC is the current of L, IL .
By incorporating an isolation transformer in the buck–boost
PCSC, we will obtain the isolated version. The transformer is VI. BASIC RULES FOR CONNECTING PSCS AND OFCS
connected in parallel with the inductor, as shown in Fig. 6(b).
We begin by recalling two fundamental constraints of con-
Furthermore, this inductor can be provided by the magnetizing
necting independent sources, as dictated by Kirchhoff’s laws
inductor of the transformer. Thus, the isolated buck–boost PCSC
[24]. First, two or more independent voltage sources cannot be
is identical to part of the flyback converter and is referred to as
connected in parallel, as dictated by Kirchhoff’s voltage law.
flyback PCSC here.
Second, two or more independent current sources cannot be
connected in series, as dictated by Kirchhoff’s current law. Any
C. Type III PCSCs
synthesis rules for MICs by combining multiple PSCs will be
Fig. 7(a) shows the SEPIC PCSC, in which L1 is in series subjected to these basic constraints. We summarize the synthesis
with the input voltage to form an independent current source, procedures as follows.
2376 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER ELECTRONICS, VOL. 25, NO. 9, SEPTEMBER 2010

Fig. 8. Circuit configurations of hybrid PVSCs. (a) Boost-and-Cuk PVSC. (b) Boost-and-Zeta PVSC. (c) Buck-and-Zeta PVSC.

Fig. 9. Circuit configurations of hybrid PCSCs. (a) Buck-and-buck–boost PCSC. (b) Buck-and-SEPIC PCSC. (c) Boost-and-SEPIC PCSC.

Fig. 10. Configurations of (a) multiple PVSCs in series, (b) multiple PCSCs in parallel, and (c) multiple PVSCs in parallel with appropriate switching arrangement
to ensure each PVSC delivering power individually.

A. Combination of Pulsating Sources also do so one at a time if appropriate switching arrangement is in

Depending upon the type of the pulsating sources being place.
connected together, the relevant Kirchhoff’s law is applied to Moreover, since PVSCs are switching source cells, they can
also be connected in parallel without violating Kirchhoff’s laws
dictate the connection style. Basically, multiple PVSCs, be-
ing voltage sources fundamentally, can be connected in series, provided that the PVSCs do not simultaneously deliver power,
as shown in Fig. 10(a); and multiple PCSCs, being current thus causing direct parallel connection of voltage sources. In
other words, provided that an appropriate switching arrange-
sources fundamentally, can be connected in parallel, as shown
in Fig. 10(b). Clearly, series-connected PVSCs and parallel- ment is in place, PVSCs can also be connected in parallel, as
connected PCSCs can deliver power simultaneously and may shown in Fig. 10(c). Likewise, theoretically, since PCSCs are
switching source cells, they can also be connected in series
LI et al.: SYNTHESIS OF MULTIPLE-INPUT DC/DC CONVERTERS 2377

without violating Kirchhoff’s laws provided that the PCSCs

do not deliver power simultaneously, thus causing direct series
connection of current sources. However, the current sources in
PCSCs, including the independent ones and intermediate stor-
age ones, are realized by an inductor behind a voltage source,
and they are not ideal current sources. For example, in the boost
PCSC shown in Fig. 5(a), if we wish to prohibit it from provid-
ing energy to the load, Q should be turned ON, and the inductor
would be charged by the input voltage to saturation, ending
up in destruction of the boost PCSC. Thus, PCSCs cannot be Fig. 11. Block diagram of MIC topologies. (a) Combined PVSCs followed
connected in series in practice. In summary, we may state the by LC-OFC. (b) Combined PCSCs followed by C-OFC.
following possible connections.
Connection Rule 1: Multiple PVSCs can be connected in When connecting a PSC with an output filter, the LC-OFC
series, while multiple PCSCs can be connected in parallel to should be used for filtering voltage delivered from a PVSC, and
deliver power simultaneously or one at a time. As described the C-OFC should be used for filtering current delivered from a
previously, in the resulting MICs, all input sources can deliver PCSC.
power to the load either individually or simultaneously. The following rule summarizes the possible connections of
Connection Rule 2: With suitable switching arrangements, PSCs and output filters.
multiple PVSCs can be connected in parallel, delivering power Connection Rule 3: An output filter is a necessary part for an
individually one at a time. Specifically, the switch in a non- MIC. A LC-OFC should be used to filter power from a PVSC,
isolated PVSC must be unidirectional, e.g., a diode inserted in and a C-OFC should be used to filter power from a PCSC.
series with the switch.
Note that the multiple connected PVSCs shown in Fig. 10(a) VII. SYNTHESIS OF MULTIPLE-INPUT CONVERTERS
and (c) can be regarded as one PVSC. Likewise, the multiple
Each power source is first connected to a PSC. Multiple PSCs
connected PCSCs shown in Fig. 10(c) can be regarded as one
are then combined and deliver power through an output filter to
PCSC.
the load. A block diagram is shown in Fig. 11.
In fact, more than one PCSC can be placed in parallel with a
For the two different PSCs, namely, the basic and hybrid
PVSC, and such a combination of the PSCs behaves as a voltage
PSCs, three types of MICs can be derived by connecting the
source. However, when the PVSC fails to work, the combined
resulting voltage or current to an appropriate output filter. For
circuit also fails, and each parallel-connected PCSC would not
ease of illustration, only two PSCs are combined to generate
work independently. Similarly, series connection of more than
MICs.
one PVSC and a PCSC behaves as a current source, and it would
fail when the PCSC fails. Therefore, such combinations of the
PSCs do not generate effective MICs. A. Synthesis of MICs With Basic PSCs
The synthesis procedure of this type of MICs takes the fol-
B. Cascade of PSCs and OFCs lowing steps.
Step 1: Choose PSCs from Figs. 2–9 and combine them ac-
We first assume that the OFC is the final cell that delivers cording to connection rules 1 and 2, as described in
constant dc voltage to the load. As described in Section II, Section VI-A.
we have two basic forms of OFCs, namely, the LC-OFC and Step 2: Cascade the combined PSCs with the appropriate out-
C-OFC. put filter, according to connection rule 3 described in
From basic circuit theory, closing a voltage-source-capacitor Section VI-B.
loop1 or opening a current-source-inductor cutset2 leads to in- According to the connection style of the PSCs, as shown in
compatible boundary condition at the switching instant that Fig. 10, three groups of MICs are generated from the aforemen-
causes infinite current or voltage impulses. Thus, pulsating tioned procedure, as shown in Figs. 12–14.
sources should be connected with the appropriate type of buffer There are various basic PVSCs, as shown in Figs. 2–4, and
cell (storage element) in order to ensure power transfer without each of them can be connected in series with itself or others,
incompatible switching conditions. Specifically, switched volt- resulting in a number of MICs. Fig. 12 shows six typical MICs.
age can only be interfaced with inductive storage in order to The three MICs shown in Fig. 12(a)–(c) are generated by series
avoid switching a voltage-source-capacitor loop, and switched connection of a buck PVSC with another buck PVSC, a Cuk
current can only be interfaced with capacitive storage in order PVSC, and a full-bridge PVSC, respectively, and the first two
to avoid switching a current-source-inductor cutset. have been presented in [20]. Fig. 12(d)–(f) give the isolated
MICs generated by series connection of two forward PVSCs,
half-bridge PVSCs, and full-bridge PVSCs, respectively.
1 A voltage-source-capacitor loop is a loop that is formed exclusively of
Similarly, each of the basic PCSCs, as shown in Figs. 5–7, can
voltage source(s) and/or capacitor(s).
2 A current-source-inductor cutset is a cutset that is formed exclusively of be connected in parallel with itself or others, thus generating a
current source(s) and/or inductor(s). number of possible MICs. Fig. 13 shows six typical MICs. Those
2378 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER ELECTRONICS, VOL. 25, NO. 9, SEPTEMBER 2010

Fig. 12. Typical derived MICs generated by series-connection of (a) two buck PVSCs, (b) one buck PVSC and one Cuk PVSC, (c) one buck PVSC and one
full-bridge PVSC, (d) two forward PVSCs, (e) two half-bridge PVSCs, and (f) two full-bridge PVSCs.

shown in Fig. 13(a)–(c) are generated by parallel connection of two full-bridge PVSCs shown in Fig. 14(e) and (f), respectively,
a boost PCSC with another boost PCSC [13], [14], a buck-boost act as the rectifier, freewheeling diodes, and series diodes.
PCSC [12], and a half-bridge PCSC, respectively; and those In the MICs shown in Figs. 12 and 13, all input sources can
shown in Fig. 13(d)–(f) are generated by parallel connection of deliver power to the load either individually or simultaneously,
two identical PCSCs, i.e., two flyback PCSCs, two half-bridge whereas in the MICs shown in Fig. 14, only one power source
PCSCs, and two full-bridge PCSCs. is allowed to transfer energy to the load at a time.
Fig. 14 shows six typical MICs generated by paralleling two Note that the MICs generated by Types II and III PVSCs or
PVSCs. As the freewheeling diodes in the PVSCs are redun- Types II and III PCSCs have added flexibility in the choice of
dant, only one is kept and others can be removed. Following voltage conversion ratios. Specifically, the advantage of these
connection rule 2, a diode should be inserted in series with each MICs is that the output voltage can be higher or lower than the
switching network to avoid direct parallel connection of voltage input voltages.
sources. In Fig. 14(a), two buck PVSCs are connected in paral-
lel [3], [4], where only one freewheeling diode D3 is needed,
and the diodes D1 and D2 are inserted in series with Q1 and B. Synthesis of MICs With Hybrid PSCs
Q2 , respectively. Fig. 14(b) shows a parallel connection of a By following the same synthesis procedure, MICs with hybrid
buck PVSC and a Cuk PVSC, where D2 is the freewheeling PSCs can also be generated. To generate a two-input converter
diode, and D1 and D3 are the series diodes of the buck PVSC topology, a hybrid PSC that contains two input sources and
and Cuk PVSC, respectively. Fig. 14(c) shows two parallel for- one output filter is necessary. The hybrid PSC delivers power
ward PVSCs, where DFW is the freewheeling diode, and D11 through an output filter to the load, as shown in Fig. 15. Such
and D21 function as both the rectifier diodes and series diodes. MICs have been proposed in [20].
Fig. 14(d) shows a parallel connection of a buck PVSC and a Similar to the synthesis procedure of the MICs with basic
full-bridge PVSC, where the diodes D1 to D4 act as the rectifier PSCs, multiple hybrid PSCs can be combined together to gener-
diodes, freewheeling diodes, and series diodes. Therefore, no ate MICs according to connection rules 1 and 2. Fig. 16(a) shows
other freewheeling diode is needed. Likewise, the output recti- the configuration of an MIC that is generated by two series-
fier diodes in the MICs generated by two half-bridge PVSCs and connected boost-and-Cuk PVSCs and an LC-OFC. Fig. 16(b)
LI et al.: SYNTHESIS OF MULTIPLE-INPUT DC/DC CONVERTERS 2379

Fig. 13. Typical derived MICs generated by parallel connection of (a) two boost PCSCs, (b) one boost PCSC and one buck–boost PCSC, (c) one boost PCSC
and one half-bridge PCSC, (d) two flyback PCSCs, (e) two half-bridge PCSCs, and (f) two full-bridge PCSCs.

shows the configuration of an MIC that is generated by two simultaneously or individually, and the MICs shown in Fig. 19
parallel-connected buck-and-buck–boost PCSCs and a C-OFC can only deliver power to the load individually.
stage. Since the hybrid PSC contains more than one input Since the hybrid PSC contains more than one input sources,
sources, the MICs generated by multiple hybrid PSCs contain the MIC generated by basic and hybrid PSCs will contain at
at least four input sources. least three input sources.

VIII. SIMPLIFICATION OF ISOLATED

C. Synthesis of MICs With Basic PSCs and Hybrid PSCs MULTIPLE-INPUT CONVERTERS
Multiple basic PSCs and multiple hybrid PSCs can also be The MICs shown in Fig. 11 are basically constructed from
combined together, according to connection rules 1 and 2 to multiple PSCs sharing an OFC. For the MICs generated by
generate new MICs. Fig. 17 shows the circuit configurations multiple basic PVSCs, (N −1) LC-OFCs are saved, where N is
of MICs that are generated by connecting a buck PVSC in se- the number of the constitutive basic PVSCs. However, for the
ries with a boost-and-Cuk PVSC and a buck-and-Zeta PVSC, MICs constructed from multiple basic PCSCs, since the output
respectively, each completed with a cascading LC-OFC stage. of the multiple converters is directly connected in parallel, no
Fig. 18 shows the circuit configurations of MICs that are gen- saving in the number of devices and circuit elements is achieved.
erated by connecting the boost PCSC in parallel with the (Such MICs with no saving in component counts are, strictly
buck-and-buck–boost PCSC and the boost-and-boost–SEPIC speaking, not MICs, as explained in [21].) In this section, we
PCSC, respectively, each completed with a cascading C-OFC will attempt to simplify the circuit configurations of some MICs
stage. Fig. 19 shows the circuit configurations of MICs that to optimize device and component counts.
are generated by connecting a buck PVSC in parallel with a From Figs. 12–14, we can see that the isolated MICs, which
boost-and-Cuk PVSC and a buck-and-Zeta PVSC, respectively, are generated from more than two isolated PVSCs or PCSCs,
each completed with a cascading LC-OFC stage. The MICs have multiple transformers and output rectifiers. In the follow-
shown in Figs. 17 and 18 can deliver power to the load either ing, we will simplify such MICs by employing only one output
2380 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER ELECTRONICS, VOL. 25, NO. 9, SEPTEMBER 2010

Fig. 14. Typical derived MICs generated by parallel connection of (a) two buck PVSCs, (b) one buck PVSC and one Cuk PVSC, (c) two forward PVSCs, and
(d) one buck PVSC and one full-bridge PVSC.

rectifier, and/or only one transformer with single primary wind- observing the isolated basic PVSCs, as shown in Fig. 2, only
ing and single secondary winding. the full-bridge PVSC has the ability of clamping the primary
winding voltage at zero by turning ON the top two switches or
A. Simplification of MICs Generated by Series Connection of bottom two switches.
Basic Isolated PVSCs The simplified multiple-input full-bridge converter is shown
in Fig. 20(a), and it can be further simplified to the one shown
Fig. 12(d)–(f) shows the isolated MICs generated by connect- in Fig. 20(b), where only one transformer with single primary
ing multiple PVSCs in series. If we only use one output rectifier, winding and single secondary winding is used. However, the
the secondary windings of the multiple transformers should be freedom of selection of voltage conversion by the turns ratio of
connected in series. As a result, the secondary winding currents transformer is sacrificed.
and the reflected primary currents are forced to be equal. In
other words, if one PVSC supplies energy to the load, current
B. Simplification of MICs Generated by Parallel Connection of
flows in its primary winding and in all the secondary windings.
Also, current is forced to flow in all other primary windings. If Basic Isolated PCSCs
the other PVSCs are prohibited from providing energy accord- Fig. 13(d)–(f) shows the MICs generated by more than
ing to the energy management, the primary winding voltages two isolated PCSCs. These MICs have multiple transformers,
should be clamped at zero by the switching arrangement. By and can be simplified by using one transformer with multiple
LI et al.: SYNTHESIS OF MULTIPLE-INPUT DC/DC CONVERTERS 2381

Fig. 15. MICs generated by one (a) boost-and-Cuk PVSC, (b) buck-and-Zeta PVSC, (c) boost-and-Zeta PVSC, (d) buck-and-buck–boost PCSC, (e) buck-and-
SEPIC PCSC, and (f) boost-and-SEPIC PCSC.

Fig. 16. Circuit configurations of MICs generated by (a) two boost-and-Cuk

PVSCs connected in series and (b) two buck-and-buck–boost PCSCs connected
in parallel.

primary windings and a secondary winding, and sharing an out-

put rectifier, as shown in Fig. 21. However, when the isolated
PCSCs share the secondary winding, their switching operation
will no longer be independent from others.
For the multiple-input flyback converter shown in Fig. 21(a),
the two switches Q1 and Q2 are not allowed to conduct
simultaneously [7], [8], in order to avoid violation of Fig. 17. Circuit configurations of MICs generated by series-connection of
Kirchhoff’s voltage law. Specifically, one diode should be in- (a) one buck PVSC and one boost-and-Cuk PVSC and (b) one buck PVSC and
serted in series with each power switch. The branch with a one buck-and-Zeta PVSC.
lower reflected voltage (Vin i /Wi , i = 1 and 2) will be blocked
and cannot provide energy. The multiple-input flyback con-
verter is time-multiplexed. For the multiple-input half-bridge the dot side is positive, Q22 will be forced to turn OFF, and the
converter [19], as shown in Fig. 21(b), when we let Q11 to turn current of inductor L22 will flow out of the dot of the lower
OFF and Q12 conduct, the current of inductor L12 flows into the primary winding. If W1 iL 1 2 < W2 iL 2 2 , the secondary winding
dot of the upper primary winding of the transformer. Moreover, current flows into the dot, and the polarity of the induced volt-
when Q21 and Q22 are turned ON, as the induced voltage at age of the upper primary winding is reversed, and the voltage
2382 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER ELECTRONICS, VOL. 25, NO. 9, SEPTEMBER 2010

Fig. 18. Circuit configurations of MICs generated by a basic PCSC and a

hybrid PCSC connected in parallel. (a) One boost PCSC and one buck-and-
buck–boost PCSC. (b) One boost PCSC and one boost-and-boost–Sepic PCSC.

Fig. 20. Isolated MICs generated by series connection of multiple full-bridge

PVSCs is simplified by using only (a) one output rectifier and multiple trans-
former and (b) one output rectifier and one transformer.

across the switch Q11 is negative. Thus, a series diode D11 is

needed to sustain the negative voltage, avoiding possible break-
down of Q11 . Similarly, each power switch should have a series
diode. Furthermore, as the two primary currents flow in opposite
directions, the secondary primary current is less than any of the
reflected primary currents. Likewise, for the multiple-input full-
bridge boost converter [15]–[18], all the power switches should
have a series diode to avoid reverse breakdown, as shown in
Fig. 21(c). Fortunately, through an appropriate control scheme,
it can be ensured that the two primary winding currents flow in
the same direction, providing full usage of the two currents.
The multiple-input flyback converter shown in Fig. 21(a) can
be further simplified by using a single primary winding, as
shown in Fig. 22(a), at the expense of restricting the voltage
Fig. 19. Circuit configurations of MICs generated by a basic PVSC and a conversion ratio. If galvanic isolation is not required, the trans-
hybrid PVSC connected in parallel. (a) One buck PVSC and one boost-and-Cuk former can be replaced by an inductor, leading to a multiple-
PVSC. (b) One buck PVSC and one buck-and-Zeta PVSC.
input buck–boost converter [5], [6], as shown in Fig. 22(b).
LI et al.: SYNTHESIS OF MULTIPLE-INPUT DC/DC CONVERTERS 2383

Fig. 21. Simplified circuit configurations of MICs generated by (a) two flyback PCSCs, (b) two half-bridge boost PCSCs, and (c) two full-bridge boost PCSCs.

Fig. 22. Simplification of circuit configurations of multiple-input flyback con-

verters with (a) one primary winding and one secondary winding and (b) an
inductor, giving a multiple-input buck–boost converter.

C. Simplification of MICs Generated by Parallel Connection of

Basic Isolated PVSCs
Fig. 14(c), (e), and (f) shows the isolated MIC generated by
connecting more than two isolated PVSCs in parallel. Here,
we will analyze the possibility of simplifying the circuit con-
figuration by reducing the number of transformers and output
rectifiers.
Fig. 23(a) shows the simplified multiple-input forward con- Fig. 23. Simplification of multiple-input forward converter with (a) multiple
primary windings and single secondary winding and (b) single primary windings
verter [7], where only one transformer with multiple primary and single secondary winding.
windings and single secondary winding, and an output rectifier
are required. It can be seen that a diode is inserted in series
with each power switch to avoid direct parallel connection of Thus, such simplified MICs are not practical and not given
the two input voltage sources when the two switches are turned here.
ON, and only one of the two input sources can deliver power to The multiple-input forward converter shown in Fig. 23(a)
the load at a time, i.e., the multiple-input forward converter is can be further simplified by using a single primary winding,
time-multiplexed. as shown in Fig. 23(b), at the expense of restricting the volt-
Likewise, we can also insert a diode in series with each power age conversion ratio. If galvanic isolation is not required, the
switch in the MICs generated by two half-bridge PCSCs and transformer can be removed as well as the magnetic resetting
two full-bridge PCSCs, respectively. However, such arrange- circuits and rectifier diode D3 , leading to a multiple-input buck
ment will block the regenerative path for the energy stored converter [3], [4], as shown in Fig. 14(a).
in the leakage inductors of the transformers, and the energy Among the generated MICs and the simplified versions, the
will dissipate in the power switches when they are turned OFF source current of Type I and Type III PVSCs and Type II
and results in large voltage spike across the power switches. PCSCs is pulsating, thus necessitating the use of an LC
2384 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER ELECTRONICS, VOL. 25, NO. 9, SEPTEMBER 2010

filter at the input side for removing high-frequency current har- [5] B. G. Dobbs and P. L. Chapman, “A multiple-input dc-dc converter topol-
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REFERENCES Yan Li was born in Heilongjiang Province, China,

in 1977. She received the B.S. and M.S. degrees
[1] F. Iannone, S. Leva, and D. Zaninelli, “Hybrid photovoltaic and hybrid in electrical engineering from Yanshan University,
photovoltaic-fuel cell system: Economic and environmental analysis,” in Qinhuangdao, China, in 1999 and 2003, respectively,
Proc. IEEE Power Eng. Soc. Gen. Meeting, 2005, pp. 1503–1509. and the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from
[2] Z. H. Jiang, “Power management of hybrid photovoltaic-fuel cell power Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics,
systems,” in Proc. IEEE Power Eng. Soc. Gen. Meeting, 2006, pp. 1–6. Nanjing, China, in 2009.
[3] W. G. Imes and F. D. Rodriguez, “A two-input tri-state converter for From 1999 to 2009, she was at Yanshan Uni-
spacecraft power conditioning,” in Proc. AIAA IECEC, 1994, pp. 163– versity. Since 2009, she has been in the School of
168. Electrical Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University,
[4] F. D. Rodriguez, “Analysis and modeling of a two-input dc-dc converter Beijing, China. Her current research interests include
with two controlled variables and four switched networks,” in Proc. In- multiple-input dc/dc converters, renewable power systems, and power-factor-
tersoc. Energy Convers. Eng. Conf., 1996, pp. 11–16. correction converters.
LI et al.: SYNTHESIS OF MULTIPLE-INPUT DC/DC CONVERTERS 2385

Xinbo Ruan (M’97–SM’01) was born in Hubei Chi K. Tse (M’90–SM’97–F’06) received the B.Eng.
Province, China, in 1970. He received the B.S. and degree (with first class honors) and the Ph.D. de-
Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Nanjing gree from the University of Melbourne, Melbourne,
University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA), Australia, in 1987 and 1991, respectively.
Nanjing, China, in 1991 and 1996, respectively. He is currently a Chair Professor and the Head
In 1996, he joined the Faculty of Electrical En- of the Department of Electronic and Information
gineering Teaching and Research Division, NUAA, Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University,
where he was a Professor at the College of Automa- Kowloon, Hong Kong. He is an Associate Editor of
tion Engineering in 2002. He has been involved in the International Journal of Systems Science and also
teaching and research in the field of power electron- on the Editorial Board of the International Journal
ics. From August to October 2007, he was a Research of Circuit Theory and Applications and the Inter-
Fellow in the Department of Electronics and Information Engineering, Hong national Journal and Bifurcation and Chaos. He was a Guest Editor and a
Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China. Since March 2008, he has Guest Associate Editor for a number of special issues in various journals. He
been in the College of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Huazhong Uni- is the author of the Linear Circuit Analysis (London: Addison-Wesley, 1998)
versity of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. He is a Guest Professor and the Complex Behavior of Switching Power Converters (Boca Raton: CRC
of Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China, and Hefei University of Tech- Press, 2003), the coauthor of the Chaos-Based Digital Communication Systems
nology, Hefei, China. He has authored or coauthored more than 100 technical (Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag, 2003), the Digital Communications with Chaos
papers in journals and conferences and also published three books. His cur- (London: Elsevier, 2006), the Reconstruction of Chaotic Signals with Appli-
rent research interests include soft-switching dc/dc converters, soft-switching cations to Chaos-Based Communications (Singapore: World Scientific, 2007),
inverters, power-factor-correction converters, modeling the converters, power and the Sliding Mode Control of Switching Power Converters: Techniques and
electronics system integration, and renewable energy generation system. Implementation (Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2010). He is the coholder of two U.S.
Dr. Ruan is a Senior Member of the IEEE Power Electronics Society and the patents and two other pending patents. His research interests include complex
IEEE Industrial Electronics Society. He has been the Vice President of the China network applications, power electronics, and chaos-based communications.
Power Supply Society since 2005 and a Member of the Technical Committee Dr. Tse is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers, Australia. He is currently
on Renewable Energy Systems within the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE CIRCUITS AND SYSTEMS MAGAZINE and
since 2008. He was awarded as the Delta Scholar by the Delta Environment an Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE CIRCUITS AND SYSTEMS SOCIETY NEWSLETTER.
and Education Fund in 2003, and the Special Appointed Professor of the Chang He was an Associate Editor of the IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON CIRCUITS AND
Jiang Scholars Program by the Ministry of Education, China in 2007. SYSTEMS—PART I: FUNDAMENTAL THEORY AND APPLICATIONS from 1999 to
2001 and again from 2007 to 2009, and an Associate Editor for the IEEE TRANS-
ACTIONS ON POWER ELECTRONICS since 1999. He was a recipient of the L.R.
East Prize from the Institution of Engineers, Australia, in 1987, the Best Paper
Award from the IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER ELECTRONICS in 2001, and
the Best Paper Award from the International Journal of Circuit Theory and Ap-
plications in 2003. While with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, he was
a recipient of the President’s Award for achievements in research in 1997 and
Dongsheng Yang was born in Jiangsu Province, 2000, the Faculty Best Researcher Award in 2000, the Faculty Research Grant
China, in 1984. He received the B.S. degree in elec- Achievement Award in 2004, and a few other teaching awards. He was named
trical engineering in 2008 from Nanjing University of an IEEE Distinguished Lecturer in 2005. He was the recipient of the Distin-
Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, China, where guished International Research Fellowship by the University of Calgary, Canada
he is currently working toward the M.S. degree in in 2007. He and his coinventors received the Gold Medal with Jury’s Commen-
electrical engineering. dation from the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, Switzerland,
His current research interests include grid- for a novel driving technique for light-emitting diodes in 2009.
connected inverter and renewable energy systems.

Fuxin Liu (S’04–M’09) was born in Heilongjiang

Province, China, in 1979. He received the B.S., M.S.,
and Ph.D. degrees from Nanjing University of Aero-
nautics and Astronautics (NUAA), Nanjing, China,
in 2001, 2004 and 2007, respectively, all in electrical
engineering.
Since 2007, he has been in the Faculty of the Col-
lege of Automation Engineering, NUAA, where he is
currently an Associate Professor. His research inter-
ests include soft-switching dc/dc converters, electric
vehicles power systems, and renewable energy gen-
eration systems.