energies

Article
A Novel Multi-Element Resonant Converter with
Self-Driven Synchronous Rectification
Jing-Yuan Lin, Yi-Feng Lin * and Sih-Yi Lee
Department of Electronic Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology,
Taipei 10607, Taiwan; jylin@mail.ntust.edu.tw (J.-Y.L.); D10302012@mail.ntust.edu.tw (S.-Y.L.)
* Correspondence: d10302013@mail.ntust.edu.tw; Tel.: +886-2-2730-3259




Received: 27 January 2019; Accepted: 20 February 2019; Published: 22 February 2019


Abstract: This paper proposes a novel multi-element resonant converter with self-driven synchronous
rectification (SR). The proposed resonant converter can achieve a zero-voltage-switching (ZVS)
operation from light load to full load, meanwhile, the zero-current-switching (ZCS) can achieve
rectifiers of a secondary-side. Therefore, the switching losses can be significantly reduced. Compared
with an LLC resonant converter, the proposed resonant converter can be effective to decrease the
circulating energy through the primary-side of the transformer to output a load and provide a
wide voltage gain range for over-current protection as well as decreasing the inrush current under
the start-up condition. Moreover, the proposed converter uses a simple current detection scheme
to control the synchronous rectification switches. A detailed analysis and design of this novel
multi-element resonant converter with self-driven synchronous rectification is described. Finally, a DC
input voltage of 380-VDC and an output voltage/current of 12-VDC /54-A for the resonant converter
prototype is built to verify the theoretical analysis and performance of the proposed converter.

Keywords: multi-element resonant; zero-voltage-switching (ZVS); zero-current-switching (ZCS);

synchronous rectification (SR)

1. Introduction
Over the last ten years, LLC resonant converters have been widely used in the power supply
industry because LLC resonant converters have a lot of advantages such as zero voltage switching (ZVS)
on primary switches and the zero-current-switching (ZCS) can be achieved for the output rectifiers [1–4].
Moreover, the voltage stress ratings of the output rectifier only need two times the output voltage.
Therefore, the secondary conduction losses can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, compared with
a series resonant converter (SRC), a parallel resonant converter (PRC) and a series-parallel resonant
converter (SPRC) [5,6], LLC resonant convertors allow a narrow switching frequency variation during
the output load and input voltage variation [7,8]. Therefore, the LLC resonant converter can be simpler
to design an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter [9–11]. Unfortunately, the LLC resonant converter
still has some issues to be solved [12,13], such as short output circuit and overload conditions will cause
a large peak in current through the switches of the primary-side. Moreover, when the LLC resonant
converter is used during start-up condition, the huge inrush current will cause destructive damage.
Moreover, how to optimize driving synchronous rectifiers (SR) is still an important issue [14–16].
For instance, the current transformer (CT) to sense the current used to drive SRs has been proposed [17],
but the magnetizing inductance of the transformer of the LLC resonant converter has been used for
resonant inductance. Thus, the primary-side current of the transformer and the SRs current are out of
phase. In contrast, when the CT sense the secondary-side current, which will cause large conduction
losses through CT, so that it will reduce the conversion efficiency.

Energies 2019, 12, 715; doi:10.3390/en12040715 www.mdpi.com/journal/energies

Energies 2018, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 10

Energies 2019, 12, 715 2 of 10

the secondary-side current, which will cause large conduction losses through CT, so that it will
reduce the conversion efficiency.
The
Themulti-element
multi-elementresonant
resonantconverter
converterhas hasbeen
beenproposed
proposedtotosolvesolvethetheabove
abovementioned
mentionedLLC LLC
resonant
resonantconverter
converterissues
issues[18–22].
[18–22].Since
Sincethe thevoltage
voltagegaingaincurve
curveisisrelatively
relativelysharp
sharpandandclose
closetotozerozeroinin
resonant
resonantfrequency,
frequency, it cancan decrease
decreasethe theinrush
inrushcurrent
currentto to solve
solve short
short output
output circuit
circuit issues.
issues. On the Onother
the
other
hand,hand, the multi-element
the multi-element resonantresonant
tank can tank cana inject
inject a third
third order order harmonic,
harmonic, it can
it can reduce thereduce the
circulating
circulating
current andcurrent
decrease andthe decrease
conduction thelosses
conduction
through losses
switches through switches Unfortunately,
of primary-side. of primary-side. the
Unfortunately,
SRs issues stillthe SRs issues
cannot still cannot
be solved. be solved.the
To overcome Toabove
overcome the above
mention issues,mention
a novelissues, a novel
multi-element
multi-element resonant
resonant converter withconverter
self-driven with
SRsself-driven
is proposedSRs is proposed
in this in this paper.
paper. Compared Compared toresonant
to multi-element multi-
element
converters, the proposed converter can use CT to sense primary-side current for SRs becausefor
resonant converters, the proposed converter can use CT to sense primary-side current the
SRs because theinductance
magnetizing magnetizing inductance
of the transformerof theistransformer
not used inisthe notresonant
used in the tankresonant
and thus tank is and thus
relatively
islarge,
relatively
so thatlarge, so that primary-side
primary-side current and current
the SRs and the are
current SRsincurrent
phase.are Oninthephase.
other On thethis
hand, other hand,
proposed
this proposed converter can also inject a third order harmonic current to reduce
converter can also inject a third order harmonic current to reduce circulating energy losses. Moreover, circulating energy
losses. Moreover,
compared with thecompared with the
LLC resonant LLC resonant
converter, converter,
the voltage gainthe voltage
curve gain and
is sharp curve is sharp
close to zeroandin
close to zero
resonant in resonant
frequency, whichfrequency, which
can decrease thecan decrease
inrush currentthe to
inrush
solvecurrent to solve
short output shortissues.
circuit outputSimilarly,
circuit
issues. Similarly,
the proposed the proposed
converter can alsoconverter canZVS
utilize the also technique
utilize the to ZVS technique
decrease to decreaselosses,
the switching the switching
resulting
losses, resulting
in a high in aof high
efficiency efficiency
conversion. Theofoperational
conversion. The operational
principle principle
of the proposed of theisproposed
converter analyzed,
converter
a prototype is converter
analyzed,witha prototype
a DC inputconverter
voltage ofwith 380-VaDCDC andinput
outputvoltage of 380-VDC
voltage/current and DC
of 12-V output
/54-A
voltage/current
has been built to of verify
12-VDCthe
/54-A has been
analytical built to verify the analytical results.
results.

2.2.Circuit
CircuitDescription
Descriptionand
andPrinciple
PrincipleOperation
Operation
Theproposed
The proposedCLL-LC CLL-LCmulti-element
multi-elementresonantresonantconverter
converterisisshown
shownininFigure
Figure1,1,where
whereititisis
composedofofCCr,rL
composed , Lr,rL, 1L, 1L,pLand CpC
p and p . should
. It It should
bebe noted
noted that
that thethe magnetizing
magnetizing inductance
inductance ofofthe
thetransformer
transformer
isisnot
notanticipated
anticipatedininthe theresonant
resonanttank, tank,the
themagnetizing
magnetizinginductance
inductanceisislarger
largerthan
thanother
otherresonant
resonant
components, so
components, so ititcan canapproximate
approximate an an
open-circuit. Therefore,
open-circuit. in thein
Therefore, proposed multi-element
the proposed resonant
multi-element
converter,
resonant the primary-side
converter, current of
the primary-side the transformer
current and the secondary-side
of the transformer current are
and the secondary-side in phase,
current are
insophase,
that the
so CT
thatcanthebeCT used
cantobedetect
used the primary-side
to detect current signal
the primary-side through
current signala secondary-side
through a secondary-to drive
SRs.toDdrive
side B1 and DB2Dare
SRs. B1 and the anti-paralleled diodes of thediodes
DB2 are the anti-paralleled primary switches,
of the primaryQ3 switches,
and Q4 are Q3SRsandswitches,
Q4 are
and C is
SRs switches,
O the output capacitor.
and CO is the output capacitor.

Q1 DB1Coss1
T1
Cr Lr n:1:1
Q3
Vin
DB2Coss2
Q2 L1
Lp
Co RL Vo

Cp Q4

Theproposed
Figure1.1.The
Figure proposedCLL-LC
CLL-LCmulti-element
multi-elementresonant
resonantconverter.
converter.

Figure 2 depicts the key waveforms of the proposed CLL-LC multi-element resonant converter.
Figure 2 depicts the key waveforms of the proposed CLL-LC multi-element resonant converter.
There are eight states to complete a switching cycle. The conduction paths for each operating state are
There are eight states to complete a switching cycle. The conduction paths for each operating state
illustrated in Figure 3. In addition, the following simplifying assumptions are made:
are illustrated in Figure 3. In addition, the following simplifying assumptions are made:
(1)
(1) Allsemiconductors,
All semiconductors,layout layouttrace
traceand
andthethecopper
copperlosses
lossesofofthe thetransformer
transformerarearelossless.
lossless.
(2)
(2) Theturns
The turnsratio
ratioofofthe
thetransformer windingsisisn n= =NN
transformerwindings 1 /N
1/N 2. 2 .
(3)
(3) The output capacitance
The output capacitance CO O C is large enough so that the
is large enough so that the output output voltage
voltage VOVis
Oa isconstant
a constant value.
value.
(4)
(4) Themagnetizing
The magnetizinginductance
inductanceofofthe thetransformer
transformerisislarge
largeenoughenoughcompared
comparedtotootherotherresonant
resonant
components so it can approximate an
components so it can approximate an open-circuit. open-circuit.
 Energies 2019, 12, 715 3 of 10
Energies 2018, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 10

vGS1 vGS2
vGS3 vGS4

iLr
iCr

iL1
t

t0 t1 t2 t3 t4 t5 t6 t7t8

Figure
Figure 2. Key
2. Key waveforms
waveforms of of
thethe proposed
proposed CLL-LC
CLL-LC multi-element
multi-element resonant
resonant converter.
converter.

State 1: t < t < t :

State 1: t0 < 0t < t1: 1
As shown in Figure 3, Q is turned on under the ZVS operating condition. Meanwhile,
As shown in Figure 3, Q1 is1 turned on under the ZVS operating condition. Meanwhile, the
the synchronous rectifier Q3 is conducted. The resonant current iCr is increased and includes a
synchronous rectifier Q3 is conducted. The resonant current iCr is increased and includes a third order
third order harmonic current so that it can significantly reducethe circulating energy losses. On the
harmonic current so that it can significantly reducethe circulating energy losses. On the other hand,
other hand, the resonant inductor current iLr is equal to the primary-side of the transformer current
the resonant inductor current iLr is equal to the primary-side of the transformer current and reflects
and reflects the secondary-side though synchronous rectifier switch Q3 . Therefore, the primary-side of
the secondary-side though synchronous rectifier switch Q3. Therefore, the primary-side of the
the transformer and the secondary current is in phase. The voltage across the resonant inductor L1 is a
transformer and the secondary current is in phase. The voltage across the resonant inductor L1 is a
positive direction, so the resonant inductor current i is raised until i is equal to iCr ; this interval
positive direction, so the resonant inductor current iL1 isL1raised until iL1 is L1 equal to iCr; this interval has
has ended.
ended.
State 2: t1 < t < t2 :
State 2: t1 < t < t2:
During this mode, the resonant circuit is composed of Cr , Cp , L1 and Lp . At time t1 ,
theDuring
resonant this mode, current
inductor the resonant
iL1 is circuit
the sameis composed of Cr,current
as the resonant Cp, L1 and Lp. At timethere
icr . Therefore, t1, the
is resonant
no current
inductor current iL1 is the same as the resonant current icr. Therefore, there is no current transferred
transferred to the secondary side, so the synchronous rectifier Q3 is turned off and has achieved
tozero-current-switching
the secondary side, so(ZCS) the synchronous
and the output rectifier Q3 is turned
capacitance offtoand
CO starts has achieved
provide the energy zero-current-
to the load at
switching (ZCS)
this moment. and the output capacitance CO starts to provide the energy to the load at this moment.

State 3: t3:2 <t2t < t3<

State : t3 :
The
Themode
modebegins,
begins,when Q1 isQturned
when off at off
1 is turned t = tat
2. The
t = resonant current iL1current
t2 . The resonant will charge the junction-
iL1 will charge the
capacitors of Q1 and discharges
junction-capacitors of Q1 andthe junction-capacitors
discharges of Q2 in the meantime.
the junction-capacitors The
of Q2 in the output capacitance
meantime. The output
COcapacitance
is still providing the providing
CO is still energy to thethe energy
load. When
to thethis
load.interval
When has
this ended,
intervalthe
hasvoltage
ended,across the
the voltage
resonant inductor
across the resonant equal toL−nV
L1 isinductor 1 is equal to −body
o and the diode
nVo and theofbody
Q2 has conducted.
diode of Q2 has conducted.

4: t4:3 <t3t <

State
State < tt4<
: t4 :
InIn this
this state,
state, the
the body
body diode
diode ofofQQ 2 has
2 has
conducted,
conducted, which
which carries
carries the
the resonant
resonant currentiCriCr
inductorcurrent
inductor
and the input inductor current i . The voltage across the input inductor L is about
and the input inductor current iL1. The voltage across the input inductor L1 is about (VIN—VCpCp
L1 1 (V IN —V —V
—V Cr ),
Cr),
so the input inductor current
so the input inductor current iL1 L1 i increases linearly. The output capacitors C
increases linearly. The output capacitors CO provideO provide energy to
energy to the the
output load. Once this interval has ended, Q is turned on with the ZVS operating
output load. Once this interval has ended, Q2 is turned on with the ZVS operating condition.
2 condition.
 Energies 2019, 12, 715 4 of 10
Energies 2018, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 4 of 10

Q1 DB1Coss1
T1
Cr Lr n:1:1
iCr Q3
Vin
DB2Coss2 VCr
Q2 L1
Lp
iL1 iLr Co RL

Cp Q4
(a)

Q1 DB1Coss1
T1
Cr Lr n:1:1
iCr Q3
Vin
DB2Coss2 VCr
Q2 L1
Lp
iL1 Co RL

Cp Q4
(b)

Q1 DB1Coss1
T1
Cr Lr n:1:1
iCr Q3
Vin
DB2Coss2 VCr
Q2 L1
Lp
iL1 Co RL

Cp Q4
(c)

Q1 DB1Coss1
T1
Cr Lr n:1:1
iCr Q3
Vin
DB2Coss2 VCr
Q2 L1
Lp
iL1 Co RL

Cp Q4
(d)

Figure
Figure 3. 3. Conduction
Conduction paths
paths of of
(a)(a) State
State 1, 1,
(b)(b) State
State 2, 2,
(c)(c) State
State 3, 3,
(d)(d) State
State 4, 4,
forfor the
the proposed
proposed CLL-LC
CLL-LC
multi-element resonant during one switching
multi-element resonant during one switching period. period.

Theequivalent
The equivalentcircuit
circuitofofthe
theresonant
resonanttank
tankininFigure
Figure4 4isisfor
foruse
usebybythe
theFirst
FirstHarmonic
Harmonic
Approximation
Approximation (FHA)
(FHA) approach;
approach; the the voltage
voltage M ofM
gaingain theofresonant
the resonant tank
tank can becan be derived
derived and is
and is given
given as
as follows:follows:

nVo nVo 1 1
= js )  V=  
M ( jωs ) M( jL1 jLr jL1R+ jLr
 (1)
Vin in  ( L1 L p ωs )−( jL p R ac )+ L p Lr ωs  ω
R
 s ac2 ωs + ωac 2

L1 L2p s )  ( jLp Rac )  Lp Lr s
 − jC L ( ω − 
1 +   s 
p p s L1 ( R ac + jωs Lr )+ jL1 ( R ac + jωs 
Lr1) s jω 1 s r Cr + L1 Cr R ac 
s sL L  (1)
 jC p Lp s L1( Rac  js Lr )  jL1( Rac  js Lr )
2
js L1 Lr Cr  L1Cr Rac


where Rac is the AC equivalent load resistor and in order to simplify the analysis, the resonant
inductor ratio is defined as K; the quality factor is defined as Q; the characteristic impedance is ZO,
which can be expressed as follows:
 2 Lr  Lp
Lr  Lp (2)
Lr  Lp Zo Cr
Zo  ,Q  
Energies 2018, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW Cr Rac Rac 5 of 10
Energies 2019, 12, 715 5 of 10
1 1
8f r0 = , f = L1
RacL  L n 2 RLoad , K r1
 L L
where Rac 2 ( 1 2r +Lp )Cr
is the AC equivalent load resistor and in orderLto simplify
r2 L(p 1 r +the
Lp )analysis,
Cr the resonant inductor
L1+Lr L1+Lr .
ratio is defined as K; the quality factor1 is defined as Q; the1characteristic Lr  Lp (3)
(2)
impedance is ZO , which can
f r2 = , f r3=
Lr  Lp
be expressed as follows: 2 ZLp C L ZoLr CCrr  C p
p 2, Q(  1 )  ( L1 )
R ac o = π82Cnr2 R LoadL,1RK =
+acLr R
C
Lrq+acrL+pC p
q Lr + L p (2)
Lr + L p Zo Cr
According to Equations (1)Zand o = (2), the 1 Cr , Q =
voltage-gain R =curve is
R1ac calculated and obtained by FHA
f = , f =ac
using the equivalent impedancer0circuit in L1 1Figure
Lr 4. Ther1voltage-gain L1  L1r with different Q factors in Figure 5
f r0 = 2r( L +L +Lp )C,r f r1 =2 (rL +L +Lp )Cr
2π 1 L1 +rLrr + L p )Cr .
is shown, which includes factors for resonant
L11× Lr r impedance Z o and L × the
L equivalent output resistance Rac.
2π L1 + Lr + L p ) C r 1 (3)
Besides, the normalized frequency is1adopted to express 1the voltage gain with
. switching frequency
(3)
f r2f r2 =
= √1 , f,r3f=r3 = 1
2πLp C r  Cp
r
variation. There are four resonant 2frequencies L ppC p included L  inLr Lthis
1 × LrCresonant p tank, which have been simply
  C ×C 
r
2 ( 2π1 L)1+(Lr × Cr +)C p
expressed in Equation (3). L1+Lr Cr +C p

According to Equations (1) and (2), the voltage-gain curve is calculated and obtained by FHA
using the equivalent impedance circuit in Figure 4. The voltage-gain with different Q factors in Figure 5
is shown, which includes factors for resonant impedance Zo and the equivalent output resistance Rac.
Besides, the normalized frequency is adopted to express the voltage gain with switching frequency
variation. There are four resonant frequencies included in this resonant tank, which have been simply
expressed in Equation (3).

Figure 4. The equivalent circuit of CLL-LC multi-element resonant converter.

converter.

According to Equations (1)fr1 and (2), thefr2voltage-gain curve

fr3 is calculated fr4 and obtained by FHA
4
using the equivalent impedance circuit in Figure 4. The voltage-gain with different Q factors in Figure 5
ZCS Region

ZVS Region ZVS Region Q = 0.5

Q = 0.135
is shown, which includes factors for resonant impedance Zo and the equivalent
Q = 0.067
output resistance Rac .
3
Besides, the normalized frequency Q = 0.027
is adopted to express the voltage gain with switching frequency
variation. There are four resonant frequencies included in this resonant tank, which have been simply
expressed in Equation
Figure 4.(3).
The
2 equivalent circuit of CLL-LC multi-element resonant converter.

fr1 fr2 fr3 fr4

4
1
ZCS Region

ZVS Region ZVS Region Q = 0.5

Q = 0.135
Q = 0.067
3 Q = 0.027

0 1 2 3
fs/fr
2
Figure 5. Voltage gain curve of the CLL-LC multi-element resonant converter.

The voltage gain curve 1 at near and below fr1 is similar to the LLC resonant converter, it can allow
narrow switching frequency variation during the output load and input voltage variation.
Meanwhile, the ZVS at the primary switches and ZCS at the secondary switches are both still
0
achieved to reduce the switching 1
loss and develop 2
high efficiency conversion.3 Furthermore, since the
fs/fr
input-voltage source is a square-wave on the proposed CLL-LC resonant converter it can be
expanded to a Figure
Figure 5.
5. Voltage
Voltage
fundamental andgain curve of harmonics
odd-term the CLL-LC sine-wave
multi-element by resonant
a Fourier converter.
converter.
analysis. The resonant
tank, which employs the third resonant frequency fr3 can inject an extra high-order harmonic current
The voltage gain curve at near and below below ffr1 issimilar
r1 is similarto tothe
theLLC
LLCresonant
resonant converter,
converter, it can allow
to reduce the circulating current and to reduce conduction losses on the switches of the primary side
narrow switching frequency variation during the output load
switching frequency variation during the output load and input and input voltage variation.
voltageMeanwhile,
variation.
and the secondary side. On the other hand, the voltage gain at fr2 is zero since the input impedance is
the ZVS at the
Meanwhile, primary
the ZVS atswitches and ZCS
the primary at the secondary
switches and ZCS at switches are both still
the secondary achieved
switches are to reduce
both still
the switching loss and develop high efficiency conversion. Furthermore, since the
achieved to reduce the switching loss and develop high efficiency conversion. Furthermore, since the input-voltage source
is a square-wave
input-voltage on the
source is proposed CLL-LConresonant
a square-wave converter
the proposed it can be
CLL-LC expanded
resonant to a fundamental
converter it can be
and odd-term
expanded to aharmonics
fundamentalsine-wave by a Fourier
and odd-term analysis.
harmonics The resonant
sine-wave tank, which
by a Fourier employs
analysis. the third
The resonant
resonant frequency f
tank, which employsr3the third resonant frequency fr3 can inject an extra high-order harmonic current
can inject an extra high-order harmonic current to reduce the circulating
and to reduce
to reduce conductioncurrent
the circulating losses and
on the switches
to reduce of the primary
conduction lossesside andswitches
on the the secondary side. Onside
of the primary the
and the secondary side. On the other hand, the voltage gain at fr2 is zero since the input impedance is
Energies 2019, 12, 715 6 of 10
Energies 2018, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 6 of 10

infinite
other at fr2the
hand, so that
voltageit can
gainmake
at fr2the
is inrush
zero sincecurrent decrease
the input under the
impedance start-up
is infinite at condition
fr2 so that to solve
it can the
make
short
the output
inrush circuitdecrease
current issue. under the start-up condition to solve the short output circuit issue.
To further optimizethe
To further optimize theSRs SRsdriving
driving issue, a novel
issue, a novel multi-element
multi-element resonant
resonantconverter with with
converter self-
driven SRs SRs
self-driven is proposed.
is proposed. In order
In order to to
drive
driveSRSRMOSFETs,
MOSFETs,the themagnetizing
magnetizing inductance
inductance of the
of the
transformer is
transformer is not used in
not used the resonant
in the resonant tanktank and
and itit is
is relatively
relatively large
large compared
compared to to other
other resonant
resonant
components so
components that the
so that the primary-side
primary-side currentcurrent and
and the
the secondary-side
secondary-side current
current areare inin phase.
phase. TheThe SRSR
control circuit
control circuit configuration
configuration is is shown
shown in in Figure
Figure 6.6. A
A CT
CT hashas been
been added
added at at the
the primary
primary side
side toto sense
sense
the phase of the SR current through the primary transformer current.
the phase of the SR current through the primary transformer current. The Schmitt trigger circuit isThe Schmitt trigger circuit is
used to detect the voltage polarity of the CT voltage and provide the SR driving
used to detect the voltage polarity of the CT voltage and provide the SR driving signal to the SR driver. signal to the SR
driver.
The The waveform
waveform of the SR of driving
the SR driving
signal issignal
shownis inshown
Figurein2.Figure
When2.the When the SR starts
SR current currentto starts
transferto
transfer energy to the load, the voltage of CT becomes positive, the output
energy to the load, the voltage of CT becomes positive, the output of Schmitt triggers the circuit to pull of Schmitt triggers the
circuitWhen
high. to pullthe high. When the
SR current SR current
decreases to adecreases to a negative
negative value, value
the output of, the output
Schmitt of Schmitt
triggers triggers
the circuit to
the circuit
pull down.toTherefore,
pull down. theTherefore,
SRs driving thesignals
SRs driving
can besignals
obtained canfrom
be obtained
Schmitt from Schmitt
to trigger the to trigger
circuit to
the circuit
turn on/off; toaturn on/off; aSRself-driven
self-driven control can SRbecontrol can Table
achieved. be achieved.
1 showsTable 1 shows the voltage/current
the voltage/current stress during
stressreactive
each during element,
each reactive element,
capacitors andcapacitors and power
power devices. Table devices.
2 compares Tablethe2proposed
comparesconverter
the proposed with
converter with the conventional LLC converter. This proposed converter
the conventional LLC converter. This proposed converter is especially suitable for applications under is especially suitable for
applications under large-current load conditions, such as server power,
large-current load conditions, such as server power, because compared with the conventional LLC because compared with the
conventional
converter, thisLLC converter,
proposed this proposed
converter has a simple converter
and exacthasdetecting
a simple circuit
and exact detecting
for the circuit
SR-driver. for the
However,
SR-driver. However, the resonant tank elements are more than those of
the resonant tank elements are more than those of the LLC converter, so that this proposed converter the LLC converter, so that
this proposed converter
results in a lower power density. results in a lower power density.

Q1 DB1Coss1

T1
Cr Lr n:1:1
Vin Q3
DB2Coss2
Q2 L1
Lp
Co RL Vo
CT
Cp
Q4
Rct
SR Driver

Schmitt triggers

Figure 6. Diagram of the SR control circuit.

Table 1. Voltage/Current stress of MOSFETs and resonant element.

Table 1. Voltage/Current stress of MOSFETs and resonant element.
Cr , C𝐶p, , 𝐶 ,
Item Q1 , Q2 Q3 , Q4 𝑟 𝑝 L1
Item 𝑄1 , 𝑄2 𝑄3 , 𝑄4 L p , Lr 𝐿1
𝐿𝑝 , 𝐿𝑟
Voltage Stress Vin Vo 2 nVo
π QVin 2
Voltage
CurrentStress
Stress 2Vin 𝑉𝑖𝑛 2Vin 𝑉𝑜 2Vin 𝑄𝑉𝑖𝑛nVo 𝑛𝑉𝑜
(Peak-Current) πR ac n πRac πR ac 𝜋 2L ton
2𝑉𝑖𝑛 2𝑉𝑖𝑛 2𝑉𝑖𝑛 1 𝑛𝑉𝑜
Current Stress (Peak-Current) 𝑛 𝑡
𝜋𝑅𝑎𝑐 𝜋𝑅𝑎𝑐 𝜋𝑅𝑎𝑐 2𝐿1 𝑜𝑛
Table 2. Comparison of LLC and proposed converter.
Table 2. Comparison of LLC and proposed converter.
Item LLC Converter Proposed Converter
Power Item
device LLC Converter
4 Proposed Converter
4
Resonant tank elements
Power device 4 3 4 5
SR detecting
Resonant circuit
tank elements Complex
3 5 Simple
Over current protect Difficult Simple
SR detecting circuit
Inrush current
Complex
Large
Simple
Middle
Over current
Conversion protect
efficiency Difficult
High SimpleHigh
Inrush current Large Middle
Conversion efficiency High High
Energies2019,
Energies 2018,12,
11,715
x FOR PEER REVIEW 77of
of10
10

3. Design Consideration and Experimental Results

3. Design Consideration and Experimental Results
A 650 W, 65 kHz 380-VDC/12-VDC multi-element CLL-LC resonant converter prototype was built
A 650the
to verify W, theoretical
65 kHz 380-V DC /12-V
analysis and multi-element
DCthe CLL-LC
proposed design resonant The
strategies. converter prototype
commercial was
resonant
built to verify the theoretical analysis and the proposed design strategies. The commercial
controller IC L6599 was used for the proposed converter. In addition, we have used a compensator resonant
controller IC L6599
of 2-pole/1-zero was used
to regulate thefor the proposed
output converter.
voltage. The resonantIn parameters
addition, we have
were used a compensator
designed as follows: Lr
of 2-pole/1-zero
= 10.4 μH, Lp = 10toμH,
regulate the output
Cr = 203.5 nF, Cp =voltage. The Lresonant
112 nF and parameters
1 = 510 μH. were designed
The transformer as is
turn ratio follows:
16:1:1.
LThe
r = 10.4 µH, L =
core material
p 10 µH, C
is PC44. = 203.5 nF, C
r Lr is integrated
p = 112 nF and L = 510
with the transformer.
1 µH. The transformer turn ratio is
The part numbers of the primary- 16:1:1.
The
sidecore
andmaterial
secondary-side Lr is integrated
is PC44.devices with the transformer.
are IPP60R099CP The part numbers
and PSMN2R8-40PS, of thefrequencies
the resonant primary-side of
and secondary-side devices are IPP60R099CP and PSMN2R8-40PS,
the multi-element CLL-LC converter were designed and shown in Table 3. the resonant frequencies of the
multi-element CLL-LC converter were designed and shown in Table 3.
Table 3. Parameters of resonant frequency.
Table 3. Parameters of resonant frequency.
Resonant frequency fr0 15.3 kHz
Resonant
Resonant frequency fr1 fr0
frequency 15.3 kHz 72.8 kHz
Resonant frequency fr2 fr1
Resonant frequency 72.8 kHz 150.2 kHz
Resonant frequency fr2 150.2 kHz
Resonant frequency fr3
Resonant frequency f 225.6 kHz
225.6 kHz
r3

Figure 7a,b shows the ZVS waveform of Q1 and Q2 at a full-load condition, Vds1 and Vds2 are the
Figure 7a,b
drain–source showsofthe
voltages Q1ZVS
and waveform of Q1 and
Q2, respectively. Q2 at
Vgs1 and a full-load
Vgs2 Vds1 andofVQ
condition, voltages
are the gate-source are
ds21 and
the drain–source voltages of Q1
Q2, ZVS is achieved at primary-sideand Q 2 , respectively.
switches. V and
gs1 shows
Figure 8a,b V are the gate-source voltages
gs2the experimental waveforms of theof Q1
and Q2 , ZVS
CLL-LC is achieved
converter under at primary-side
light-load switches.
and full-load Figure 8a,b
conditions. Vgs3shows
and Vgs4 the experimental
are waveforms
the gate-source voltages
of the CLL-LC converter under light-load and full-load
of the SRs and ILrp is the primary-side resonant current. conditions. V gs3 and V gs4 are the gate-source
voltages of the SRs and ILrp is the primary-side resonant current.

Vds1 Vds2
Vgs1 Vgs2

(a) (b)
Figure7.
Figure 7. Waveform
Waveformof
ofZVS
ZVSat
atprimary
primaryside
sideMOSFETs
MOSFETs(a)
(a)upper
upperswitch
switchQQ1 1(b)
(b)lower
lowerswitch
switchQQ22..

In Figure 8a, since the amplitude of the current is lower at the light load, the Schmitt-trigger
circuit is disabled. The driving signals of the SRs are non-activated at the light load, the SRs are
turned off, which can also reduce the SRs driving loss since the percentage of SR driving loss at light
ILrp I
load is significant. In Figure 8b, the Schmitt-trigger circuit is enabled when ILrpLrprises and reached
Ith+ . The SRs will turn on when ILrp drops and reaches Ith− . The SRs will turn off, since the Ith+ must
be set larger than Ith− due to the operation restrictions of the Schmitt-trigger circuit.Vgs3The turn-on
signals of the SRs will act with a delayVgs4 period. It can be also observed that the SR will turn off
as the transformer enters the non-coupled region, which means that the secondary current is zero.
Hence, ZCS is achieved. Figure 9a,b shows the experimental waveforms under the start-up condition,
Vgs3 Vgs4
compared to the conventional LLC resonant converter, since the CLL-LC resonant converter employs
ideally an infinite impedance at fo2 . The inrush current can be effectively reduced by about 40% percent
during the same start-up period.

(a) (b)
 (a) (b)
Energies 2018, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 8 of 10
Energies Figure
2019, 12, 7.
715 Waveform of ZVS
Energies 2018, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW at primary side MOSFETs (a) upper switch Q1 (b) lower switch Q2 . 88ofof10
10
Figure 8. Waveforms of SRs driving signals Vgs3, Vgs4 and ILrp (a) light load condition (b) full load
condition.
Figure 8. Waveforms of SRs driving signals Vgs3, Vgs4 and ILrp (a) light load condition (b) full load
condition.
In Figure 8a, since the amplitude of the current is lower at the light load, the Schmitt-trigger
ILrp I
circuitIn is Figure
disabled.8a,The
since the amplitude
driving of the
signals of the SRscurrent is lower atatthe
are non-activated thelight load,Lrpthe SRs
light load, Schmitt-trigger
are turned
circuit
off, which is disabled. The driving
can also reduce signals
the SRs of the
driving lossSRs are the
since non-activated
percentageatofthe SRlight load,
driving losstheatSRs
light areload
turned
is
off, which In
significant. canFigure
also reduce
8b, thethe SRs driving loss
Schmitt-trigger since
circuit the percentage
is enabled when ILrp ofrises
SR driving
and reachedlossVatgs3Ith+
light
. Theload
SRsis
significant.
will turn on whenIn Figure 8b, theand
ILrp drops Schmitt-trigger
reaches circuit
Vgs4Ith−. The SRs is enabled
will when
turn off, ILrpthe
since rises
Ith+and
must reached Ith+. The
be set larger SRs
than
will
Ith− due turn on when
to the ILrp drops
operation and reaches
restrictions of theIth− . The SRs will turn
Schmitt-trigger off,The
circuit. since the Ith+signals
turn-on must beofset thelarger than
SRs will
Ith−with
act due atodelay
the operation
period. Itrestrictions
can be alsoof the Schmitt-trigger
observed that the SR will circuit.
turnThe
off turn-on signals of the
as the transformer SRs the
enters will
Vgs3 Vgs4
act with a delay
non-coupled period.
region, which It can
meansbe also
that observed
the secondary that the SR will
current turn Hence,
is zero. off as the ZCS transformer
is achieved. enters the
Figure
non-coupled
9a,b shows theregion, which means
experimental that the
waveforms undersecondary current
the start-up is zero. Hence,
condition, compared ZCStoisthe achieved.
conventional Figure
9a,bresonant
LLC shows the experimental
converter, since waveforms
the CLL-LCunder resonant the converter
start-up condition, compared
employs ideally to the conventional
an infinite impedance
atLLC resonant
fo2. The inrush converter,
current can since
bethe CLL-LC reduced
effectively resonantby converter
about 40% employs
percent ideally
during an the
infinite
same impedance
start-up
at fo2. The inrush current(a)can be effectively reduced by about 40% percent(b)during the same start-up
period.
period.
Figure 8. Waveforms of SRs driving signals Vgs3, Vgs4 and ILrp (a) light load condition (b) full
load condition.

Vo
Vo Vo
Vo

Inrush current Inrush current

Inrush current Inrush current

Vgs Vgs
Vgs Vgs

(a) (b)
(a) (b)
Figure 9. Waveforms of inrush current during start-up period (a) conventional LLC resonant
converter
Figure (b)Waveforms
proposed
Figure9.9.Waveforms ofmulti-element
inrush current
of inrush CLL-LC
current resonant
duringduring
start-up converter.
period
start-up (a) conventional
period LLC resonant
(a) conventional LLCconverter
resonant
(b) proposed
converter (b)multi-element CLL-LC resonant
proposed multi-element CLL-LCconverter.
resonant converter.
The efficiency of the proposed multi-element CLL-LC resonant converter is shown in Figure 10.
The
Theefficiency
efficiency
The efficiency of
ofthe
at a half theproposed
proposed
load multi-element
and at a full CLL-LC
multi-element
is 96.7%, it isresonant
CLL-LC
load resonant converter
converter
96.1%. The is
is shown in
shownis
peak efficiency Figure
Figure 10.
in96.04% 10.
at
The efficiency
efficiency at a half load is 96.7%, and at a full load it is 96.1%. The peak efficiency is 96.04%at
Theload.
65% at a half load is 96.7%, and at a full load it is 96.1%. The peak efficiency is 96.04% at
65%
65%load.
load.
Efficiency with SR Efficiency without SR
Efficiency with SR Efficiency without SR
97
9697
9596
9495
η(%) 9394
η(%)9293
9192
9091
9012 18 27 30 35 40 46 54
12 18 27 30 35 40 46 54
Io(A)
Io(A)
Figure 10. Efficiency chart of the proposed multi-element resonant converter.
Figure 10. Efficiency chart of the proposed multi-element resonant converter.
Figure 10. Efficiency chart of the proposed multi-element resonant converter.
Energies 2019, 12, 715 9 of 10

4. Conclusions
This paper has proposed a novel multi element CLL-LC resonant converter with a self-driven
SR. The characteristics of the CLL-LC resonant converter have been analyzed and the operational
regions of CLL-LC resonant converter have been discussed. The benefits of the third current harmonics
injection and inrush current improvement under the start-up conditions have been discussed and
verified. Meanwhile, an easily implemented current-type SR control scheme is proposed to achieve
low SR losses. These features make the proposed multi-element CLL-LC resonant converter more
suitable for applications with high-input and low-output voltages. The experimental results on a
half-bridge multi resonant converter with SR are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed
multi element CLL-LC resonant converter.

Author Contributions: Supervision, J.-Y.L.; Writing—Original Draft, S.-Y.L.; Writing—Review & Editing, Y.-F.L.
Funding: This research received no external funding.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References
1. Tran, D.; Vu, N.; Choi, W. A Quasi-Resonant ZVZCS Phase-Shifted Full-Bridge Converter with an Active
Clamp in the Secondary Side. Energies 2018, 11, 2868. [CrossRef]
2. Bo, Y.; Lee, F.C.; Zhang, A.J.; Guisong, H. LLC Resonant Converter for Front End DC/DC Conversion.
In Proceedings of the APEC 2002, Dallas, TX, USA, 10–14 March 2002; Volume 2, pp. 1108–1112.
3. Choi, H. Analysis and Design of LLC Resonant Converter with Integrated Transformer. In Proceedings of
the APEC 2007, Anaheim, CA, USA, 25 February–1 March 2007; pp. 1630–1635.
4. Zhu, T.; Wang, J.; Ji, Y.; Liu, Y. A Novel High Efficiency Quasi-Resonant Converter. Energies 2018, 11, 1961.
[CrossRef]
5. Pernía, A.M.; Prieto, M.J.; Villegas, P.J.; Díaz, J.; Martín-Ramos, J.A. LCC Resonant Multilevel Converter for
X-ray Applications. Energies 2017, 10, 1573. [CrossRef]
6. Yu, A.; Zeng, X.; Xiong, D.; Tian, M.; Li, J. An Improved Autonomous Current-Fed Push-Pull
Parallel-Resonant Inverter for Inductive Power Transfer System. Energies 2018, 11, 2653. [CrossRef]
7. Fang, X. Efficiency-oriented optimal design of the LLC resonant converter based on peak gain placement.
IEEE Trans. Power Electron. 2013, 28, 2285–2296. [CrossRef]
8. Lu, B.; Liu, W.; Liang, Y.; Lee, F.C.; van Wyk, J.D. Optimal design methodology for LLC resonant converter.
In Proceedings of the Twenty-First Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition,
Dallas, TX, USA, 19–23 March 2006; pp. 533–538.
9. Fei, C.; Li, Q.; Lee, F.C. Digital Implementation of Adaptive Synchronous Rectifier (SR) Driving Scheme
for High-Frequency LLC Converters With Microcontroller. IEEE Trans. Power Electron. 2018, 33, 5351–5361.
[CrossRef]
10. Fang, Z.; Cai, T.; Duan, S.; Chen, C. Optimal design methodology for LLC resonant converter in battery
charging applications based on time-weighted average efficiency. IEEE Trans. Power Electron. 2015, 30,
5469–5483. [CrossRef]
11. Kim, D.K.; Moon, S.C.; Yeon, C.O.; Moon, G.W. High-efficiency LLC resonant converter with high voltage
gain using an auxiliary LC resonant circuit. IEEE Trans. Power Electron. 2016, 31, 6901–6909. [CrossRef]
12. Zhao, Z.; Xu, Q.; Dai, Y.; Yin, H. Analysis, Design, and Implementation of Improved LLC Resonant
Transformer for Efficiency Enhancement. Energies 2018, 11, 3288. [CrossRef]
13. Khalid, U.; Khan, M.M.; Khan, M.Z.; Rasool, M.A.U.; Xu, J. Pulse Width and Frequency Hybrid Modulated
LLC Converter Adapted to Ultra Wide Voltage Range. Inventions 2018, 3, 77. [CrossRef]
14. Xie, X.; Liu, J.; Poon, F.N.K.; Pong, M. A novel high frequency current-driven SR applicable to most switching
topologies. IEEE Trans. Power Electron. 2001, 16, 635–648.
15. Zhang, S.-H.; Wang, Y.-I.; Chen, B.; Han, F.-U.; Wang, Q.-I. Studies on a Hybrid Full-Bridge/Half-Bridge
Bidirectional CLTC Multi-Resonant DC-DC Converter with a Digital Synchronous Rectification Strategy.
Energies 2018, 11, 227. [CrossRef]
Energies 2019, 12, 715 10 of 10

16. Huang, D.; Fu, D.; Lee, F.C. High switching frequency, high efficiency CLL resonant converter with
synchronous rectifier. In Proceedings of the 2009 IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition, San Jose,
CA, USA, 20–24 September 2009; pp. 804–809.
17. Chang, Y.-N.; Chan, S.-Y.; Cheng, H.-L. A Single-Stage High-Power Factor Converter with Synchronized
Self-Excited Technique for LED Lighting. Energies 2018, 8, 1408. [CrossRef]
18. Huang, D.; Fu, D.; Lee, F.C.; Fu, D. Classification and selection methodology for multi-element resonant
converters. In Proceedings of the 2011 Twenty-Sixth Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference
and Exposition (APEC), Fort Worth, TX, USA, 6–11 March 2011; pp. 558–565.
19. Chen, M.; Wang, Y.; Yang, L.; Han, F.; Hou, Y.; Yan, H. A Variable-Structure Multi-Resonant DC–DC Converter
with Smooth Switching. Energies 2018, 11, 2240. [CrossRef]
20. Wang, C.; Yang, L.; Wang, Y.; Chen, B. A 1-kw CLTCL resonant DCDC converter with restricted switching
loss and broadened voltage range. IEEE Trans. Power Electron. 2018, 33, 4190–4203. [CrossRef]
21. Wang, Y.; Yang, L.; Han, F.; Tu, S.; Zhang, W. A Study of Two Multi-Element Resonant DC-DC Topologies
with Loss Distribution Analyses. Energies 2017, 19, 1400. [CrossRef]
22. Fu, D.; Lee, F.C.; Liu, Y.; Xu, M. Novel multi-element resonant converters for front-end dc/dc converters.
In Proceedings of the 2008 IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference, Rhodes, Greece, 15–19 June 2008;
pp. 250–256.

© 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access
article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution
(CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).