6.3.2.

Forward converter
n1 : n 2 : n 3

D2

L
+
D3

Vg

Q1
D1

Buck-derived transformer-isolated converter

Single-transistor and two-transistor versions
Maximum duty cycle is limited
Transformer is reset while transistor is off
Fundamentals of Power Electronics

44

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Forward converter
with transformer equivalent circuit
D2

n1 : n 2 : n 3

Vg

iM

LM
+

i1'

v1

v2

v3

i1
Q1

D3

vD3

i3

i2

+
vQ1

D1

Fundamentals of Power Electronics

45

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Forward converter: waveforms

v1

Vg

Magnetizing current, in
conjunction with diode D1,
operates in discontinuous
conduction mode

n
n 1 Vg
2

iM

n Vg
n1
2 LM

DTs

D2Ts
Ts

D3Ts

Q1
D2

D1
D3

D3

Vg
LM

vD3

Conducting
devices:

Output filter inductor, in

conjunction with diode D3,
may operate in either
CCM or DCM

n3
n 1 Vg

Fundamentals of Power Electronics

46

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Subinterval 1: transistor conducts

n1 : n2 : n3

Vg

iM

LM

i1'

v1

v2

v3

Q1 on

Fundamentals of Power Electronics

i1

D2 on

i2

vD3

i3

D1 off

47

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Subinterval 2: transformer reset

L

n1 : n 2 : n 3

Vg

iM

LM

i1'

v1

v2

v3

i1
Q1 off

D3 on vD3

i3

i2 = iM n1 /n2
D1 on

Fundamentals of Power Electronics

48

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Subinterval 3
L

n1 : n2 : n3

iM
=0
LM
Vg

i1'

v1

v2

v3

i1

i2

D3 on vD3

i3

Q1 off D1 off

Fundamentals of Power Electronics

49

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Magnetizing inductance volt-second balance

v1

Vg
0

n
n 1 Vg
2

iM

Vg
LM

n Vg
n1
2 LM

v1 = D Vg + D2 Vg n 1 /n 2 + D3 0 = 0
Fundamentals of Power Electronics

50

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Transformer reset
From magnetizing current volt-second balance:
v1 = D Vg + D2 Vg n 1 /n 2 + D3 0 = 0

Solve for D2:

n
D2 = n 2 D
1

D3 cannot be negative. But D3 = 1 D D2. Hence

D3 = 1 D D2 0

D3 = 1 D 1 +
Solve for D

1
n
1+ 2
n1

Fundamentals of Power Electronics

n2
0
n1
for n1 = n2:

51

D 1
2

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

What happens when D > 0.5

magnetizing current
waveforms,
for n1 = n2

iM(t)

D < 0.5

DTs D2Ts D3Ts

iM(t)

D > 0.5

DTs
Fundamentals of Power Electronics

D2Ts
52

2Ts

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Conversion ratio M(D)

: n3

D2

L
+
D3

vD3

Conducting
devices:

n3
n 1 Vg

DTs

D 2T s
Ts

D 3T s

Q1
D2

D1
D3

D3

Fundamentals of Power Electronics

53

n
vD3 = V = n 3 DVg
1
t

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

Maximum duty cycle vs. transistor voltage stress

Maximum duty cycle limited to

1
n
1+ 2
n1

which can be increased by increasing the turns ratio n2 / n1. But this
increases the peak transistor voltage:

max vQ1

n1
= Vg 1 + n
2

For n1 = n2
D 1
2

Fundamentals of Power Electronics

and

max(vQ1) = 2Vg

54

Chapter 6: Converter circuits

The two-transistor forward converter

Q1

D3

D1

L
+

1:n

Vg

D4

D2

Q2

V = nDVg

Fundamentals of Power Electronics

max(vQ1) = max(vQ2) = Vg

D 1
2

55

Chapter 6: Converter circuits