AN ISOLATED BIDIRECTIONAL SOFT-SWITCHING CONVERTER BASED ON LLC RESONANT HALF-BRIDGE WITH SYNCHRONOUS RECTIFICATION Joao P, Coimbra!, Renan C. Pontara’, Luiz P. Loures!, Pedro S. Almeida! Federal University of iz de Fora UFIP, Juiz de Fora Minas Gerais, Brail “Modern Lighting Research Group -NIMO ‘e-mail jpeoimbra@uimg br, ronan pontara@engenharia ft br, Iniz paulo @engenhatia uff br, pedro almeida uf edu.b, Abstract ~ This paper proposes an improved bidirec tional half-bridge LLC resonant topology operanting be- tween a DC nanogrid and battery bank, The converter presented promotes control actions such as charging a lead acid battery, while the DC bus voltage remains constant. ‘The AC analysis and operating characteristics of the bidi- rectional LLC resonant converter in forward and back- ‘ward modes are investigated. The soft-switching converter has been observed throughout the whole converter oper- ation, inside the zero voltage switching and zero current itching modes. Keywords ~ Bidirectional LIC half-bridge resonant con- verter, DC nanogrid, Lead acid battery, soft-switehing, ‘Zero voltage switching (ZVS), Zero current switching cs). 1. INTRODUCTION Energy, air and water are required for human existence. Against the current hydric crisis, increasing electrical energy consumption and pollution caused by fossil fuels, renewable energy systems have been carted out [1]. In the context of renewable energies and distibuted generation systems, itis necessary the adoption of the DC nanogrids ‘A Nanogrid can be defined as a power system in a smaller scale based on renewable power which sums up to 25 KW [2] In these grids, power generation and energy storage systems are integrated through the use of bidirectional power convert- The presented system consists of a DC bus, generation sys- tems, loads, battery bank and a DC-DC bidirectional converter ‘which is able to control the power fax hetween the DC bus and battery bank. The Figure I shows the topology of such DC nanogrid, I, ISOLATED BIDIRECTIONAL CONVERTERS ‘TOPOLOGIES For a gain ratio of 24 V to 380 V, itis necessary to use an isolated topology. Figure 2 shows the structure of an isolated bidirectional converter. The most currently used topologies for bidirectional iso- lated converter follows DHB [3,4] and DAB [5,6] with an inductive iter. However, these topologies have limited opet- {978-1-5090-6248-5/17/831.00 © 2017 IEEE Fig. 1. DCNenognd ation for soft-switching which harm their operation with vari able loads. ‘Thus, a resonant topology was chosen due to its several a vantages when used for DC-DC conversion such as a high step-down ratio, a soft-switching characteristic in the entire load range, high efficiency and small volume [7,8] Some resonant filters in [9] were considered and a series- parallel resonant LLC filter was chosen. For the in- verterectfier on the low voltage side, it is used a synchronous rectification, ensuring the bidirectional operation and low con- duction losses instead of other topologies. Therefore. a bidi- rectional half-bridge LLC resonant converter is obtained as shown in Figute 3. This novel topology has been devised from the classical half-bridge LLC resonant converter. In forward ‘mode, the converter would operate as a half-bridge LLC con verter witha split series capacitor (C,} placed on the DC bus with the low-voltage side MOSFETs operating as rectifiers. In backward mode, MOSFETs at the low voltage side and the ccentertaped transformer would operate asa push-pull inverter loading the series tank circuit (LC filter) on the high-voltage side. Thus, it will be operating as a series resonant converter feeding a voltage-muliplier rectifier formed by the MOS atthe high-voltage side, HBEH RE Fig. 2. Bidirectional isolated topology structure, se use ned to: SRM University. Downloaded on Februcy 25,2021 at 05:01:51 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restctons apply.Fig. 3, Bidiectonal Hal-Bridge LLC Resonant Converter Il BIDIRECTIONAL LLC HALF-BRIDGE RESONANT CONVERTER ANALYSIS ‘The converter analysis is divided in forward and backward operation. For both modes, this topology has the character istics of an LC series resonance frequency (J,) and series parallel resonance frequency (f) defined respectively by the equations (1) and (2) o @ In JG tis) where L, isthe series inductance and Ly isthe parallel induc- tance, These parameters are obtained through the dispersion and magnetizing inductances ofthe transformer, respectively. ‘The operation of the converter is ted tothe level of energy being injected into the nanogrid by renewable sources. When the generation is greater than the consumption, the converter operates in forward mode, otherwise the converter operates in the backward mode. The converter control system is pro- grammed not to let the battery reach values below cutoff volt- age A vatiable frequency and fixed duty cycle of 0.5 will be used for the operation of the converter and the first harmonic approximation (FHA) will be applied for the converter behav- for analysis, A, Forward operation mode analisys In forward mode, the converter is analyzed as a classical uniizectional LLC resonant [8, 10,11). AV the high-voltage side, the MOSFETs pai (Sy, 2) andthe resonant capacitors apply a square wave voltage virn(@) that can be represented by equation 3) 2Ve wnat) = SPS sings) Where wis = 2 f, isthe switching angular frequency (in ra- dians). The AC equivalent circuit for the forward mode of the converter are shown in Figures 4 (a) and 4 (b). Some parame- ters are defined in (4) - (9), le a TL @ Raon = SEN © iG. cw aa. Pray. Fig. 4. Original creit for frequency domain analysis ofthe seves-parallel resonant LC fie in forward mode fr (8) input voltage fundamental component. (b) the normalized input voltage 2Ve © o ane ® o ‘where Ais the relation between series and parallel inductances, Raca is the equivalent AC resistance of the battery bank re- fected to the transformer primary windings, n is transforms- tion ratio, Zo isthe characteristic impedance of the resonant filter, Qy is the quality factor inthe forward mode and {1s the normalized frequency. ‘Thus, the circuit from Figure 4 () has its transfer function siven by (10) Ig, 2p) = For A = 0.167 some gain cuves ate shown in Figur S for diferent Qy ol 1 io a Fig. 5. Forwant gain asa funeton of normalize switching srequeney for different State os charge fom battery (whole range of SoC} Authorzed Hensed use lined to: SRM Unversy. Downloaded on February 25,2021 at 0:01:51 UTC fom IEEE Xplore. Resbctons spp.Fig. 6. Orginal cieuit fr frequency domain atalysis ofthe seriet-paralel resonant LLC ster in backward mode for (a) nput voltage fundamental component. (b) the normalized input voltage B. Backyard operation mode analisys In the converter in hackwatd operation mode, the nanogrid 4s supplied by battery. The AC equivalent cect forthe back ward mode of the converter ae shown in Figures 6 (a) and 6 (b). The input voltage v(t) has a square wave form with charactesisties from the texninas input voltage of the tas forme presented in a push-pull converter. In a sinusoidal ap- proximation, vrp(t) can be defined by equation (11). Vern (+) Js the representation of vp (t) in the frequency domain. vet) = ANE sin(us ) ay The nanogrid equivalent load for the AC circuit Roc, is shown by equation (12) 2Rve where Rye is the nanogrid DC load resistance, which may ffuctuate in its operation, Hence, the quality factor Qs, in backward operation mode has been modified tothe following equation (13), for a characteristic impedance of the resonant Roe. «2 filler Zp with he same vale a in the forward operation mode. Ye = 3) = Fe, : Thus, the transfer function in backward operation mode, Mi(®, Qs) is shown by equation (1). ano Vor (a For A = 0.167 some gain curves ate shown in Figure 7 for ditferent values of Qs, The ZCS operation on the switched MOSFETs occurs for 1 < 1 and the ZVS operation occurs for > 112}, 14) IMA, 24) ars IV, DESIGN PROCEDURE, For the converters operation itis desired to keep the MOS- FETs on sol-switehing in the ZVS region for both forward and backward modes. Using the analysis previously made, it is possible to conclude that a small series resonance frequency is required not to reach high levels of switching frequency in the backward mode, but not so small so there would be no frequency switching below 1kH? in the forward mode Given this design restictions, the Table I describes the desired con- verter design parameters. The Table II shows some DC ns basis for the converter design, wnogrid parameters as the M ol t 10 Fig. 7. Operating characterise for LLC halébridge resonant ‘converer, i backward operation mode TABLET Desired converter design parameters TABLE DC nanogrid parameters Considering the converter analysis from the previous sec- tion and the Table I restrictions, the project parameters are de- fined and listed on Table TH. TABLE I Design parameters A. Battery specifications ‘The battery used in this design are described in Table 1V. ed use ved to: SRM Univers, Downloaded on February 25,2021 et 05:01:51 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Resbctons spel.TABLE IV Battery bank spet ‘The battery simulation model used in this work is illustrated oon Figure 8, Itis a RC circuit where R, is defined as the in- temal resislance of the battery, and its value is informed by the manufacturer, Rais the resistance representing the losses from self-discharge and C is the equivalent capacitance. The calculating method ofthese parameters and the battery charg- ing algorithm are described in (13) and [14], respectively. Fig. &. Taéveninsatic model of lea acid battery, B. Forward operation mode design For a bus voltage of 380 V (nominal gain), the battery volt age curves are shown in Figure 9, where each curve corre- sponds tothe battery bank's state of charge (SoC) ‘The voltage levels of the battery bank vary between 20 V and 29.2 V according tothe state of charge, indicating that for these voltage levels the converter will hve a frequency range of around 0.9f,. The LLC resonant converter is operating on soft-switching (ZVS tum-on of high-voltage side switches and ZCS turn-off of low-voltage side switches) in this region [8] Baten vonyo Fig. 9. Battery voltage as a fonction of normalized switching ‘aequency for different load exrrents and output voltages (whole range of SoC) From the batery charging stages, the control system will act to maintain the voltage and current ofits respective state, ‘Through the reference voltage an error cy., compensated by Gy p(s)sis calculated, This compensator, which gives the ret= rence current, is limited to intense charge current (0.1C'ap) ‘Thus, the current error ci, is calculated by the system and compensated by (3). which has minimum and maximum limits according to Setting the minimum and maximum switch- ing frequency of Sy and Sp. There isa ratio between a mini- sum frequency value of 15 KIlz due tothe control action result Viscontrot- Fora higher contol action, a lower switching fre- «quency is obtained. The operational frequency range i limited by the ZS region (as sen in Figure 9). ILis important to satu- rate the control action atthe minimum ZVS region frequency, otherwise the converter might obtain the same output voltage sain operating outside the ZVS range, The control scheme for forward mode is shown in Figure 10 1140) op | te vimer Ee tins, ves loabe oe betes onn be a= LIveee Fig. 10, Block diagram of contol system in forward operation, From a pre-determined switching frequency result, itis sored into a driver circuit known as vollage conteolled oxcil- lator (VCO), which drives the MOSFETs at the desired fre- {quency with spectied dead time, The drive diagram is shown in Figure 11. te al VCO Lal dine To 8: Fig. 11. Switching of MOSFETs in forward mode €. Backward operation mode design ‘When the battery is discharged, the voltage oscillates be- tween the fluctuating and the cut-off voltage, hence the con- verter switching frequency maintains a constant voltage in «ase the nanogrid load varies. Figure 12 and Figure 13 shows the convertr’s behavior in backward operation mode for min- imum and maximum battery voltage, respectively. Note that the converter operating frequency range from (1.2 (07.2) fox ‘which means a maximum frequency about 140 KH for the ‘worst case (20% of the nominal load) ‘The same control diagram has been implemented as forward ‘operating. However, only the voltage loop is used, with a min- ‘nvum frequency set in f,, ensuring that the converter will be ‘operated under ZVC mode, The conteol diagram is shown in Figure 14 Y, SIMULATION RESULTS ‘This section presents some simulation examples of the bidi- rectional LLC half-bridge resonant converter in forward and backward modes, showing operating characteristis for differ- cent cases. ‘Authorzee lensed use lined to: SRM Unverty. Downloaded on February 25,2021 at 0:01:51 UTC fom IEEE Xplore. Resbctons sppVs: Remin = 20 as) For the minimum resistance condition, the MOSFETs drain-source voltages (Vos) and drain-souree currents (ips) are shown in Figure 15. On the high-voltage side, atthe a- sition peri from one state to another, the voltage across the switch is zero, hence there are no losses, characterizing the 2NS in 8; and Sp. At ibe low-voltage side, Sip. and Sap characterize 208. ‘At another condition, the maximum resistance value equiv ERB ESS ered stent otbe baer Bak (Rem) died by equation (16) a i - Ramos = YER = 2.020 16) “ ‘Considering the maximum resistance condition, the conduc- Fi. 12, Operting character or Lic halcege resonant ton waveform ofthe switches ze shown in Figure 16, The converter, in backward operation mode for minimmam batery voltage, operation in ZVS and ZCS also occur for the MOSFET pairs (Sy, Sy) and (Spa, Sa), respectively. : Sit ge ite 00] Tavst 1 “| ce ‘| uy If * LAA | Fe, OpeagcmesrittatiCuisirmet 15. dnote ne wena Lime that cremate tableless Ses Oe voltage. @ Se A. Forward operation mode - he battery bank represented by an equivalent resistance Considering the battery bank as a resistive load, this resis- tance value will change for each battery state of charge, being ale to have a minimum and maximum value in its charging process, The minimum resistance value Rima is defined by equation (15) + 80) +6) Fig. 16, Drain-source voltage and current waveforms during Fig, 14. Block diagram of the contol system in backward forward mode with Remae for MOSFET. (a) S;. (0) $3. (€) Si operation, (@) Sa ‘Authoraod loensed use tinted to: SRM Universi, Duanoaded on Februcry 25,2021 et 05.01:81 UTC fon IEE Xplore, Reston apy.B. Backward operation mode -hattry with minimum and maximum voltage ‘The battery bank can transfer power tothe nanogrid under ‘minimum and maximum voltage conditions, The Figures 17 and 18 shows the conduction waveforms of the switches in the backward mode for minimum and maximum battery bank voltage voltage, espectively. 71 Le eee I (las Lhe, a) tg Fig. 17. Dran-soutce voltage and current waveforms dating backsard mode With Viajin fot MOSFET. (a) S:.() So. (2 Sr (@) Sra Manis ate Vtg) Fig. 19. Operation parameters duting the battery charge process or. (8) Va.) 18 ©) Lup D. Backward operation mode - Nanogrid with variable load Inthis case, the battery feeds the nanogrid that operates with variable load. The Figure 20 shows the converter operating in 3 different time intervals, t2 and , It is considered in simulation that the battery maintains maximum voltage for all the intervals described, _————— Fig. 18, Drain-souce voltage and current waveforms during backward mode with Vinyas for MOSFET. (2) 5. (6) Ss.) Sa (Sas ©. Forward operation mode - battery charge ‘The Figure 19 shows the charging process of the battery bank, stating atthe intense charge tage (constant current) and ending atthe fluctuation stage (Constant voltage). Note that the ‘wansition ofthe reference voltage level occurs when Vig = 29.2 Vand iy =2 A and the switching frequency range around 17.3 dle (0.9f,), a8 seen inthe design of Figure 8. i i vgs z xem sf ae aes i et ‘E322 eel sng Fig. 20. Operation parameters during load variation in nanogrid {or (a} Voc. (0) tne (€) fu ‘Authorzee lensed use lined to: SRM Unverty. Downloaded on February 25,2021 at 0:01:51 UTC fom IEEE Xplore. Resbctons sppAt y, the converter operates at low load (20% of nominal oad), the control system imposes a high switching frequency fon the MOSFETs $; and S; to keep the DC bus voltage con- stant at 380 V. This frequency level comes close to 140 kB. Atty, the converter operates at nominal load. Note that the switching frequency drops sharply (as expected by the design in Figure 13). The nanogtig bus voage is maintained constant with a4 V teansient pple At ts, the converter operates at 60% of the nominal load. ‘The contcol system identifies the transition and acts quickly to keep the bus voltage constant. Note that again the switching frequency rises, as expected in the backward mode design VI. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS In order to validate the converter operation, a prototype cit- cuit was implemented. The circuit parameters are the same as those used inthe simulation, Figure 21 shows experimental waveforms of the MOSFET gate-source voltage, drain-source current and drain-souree voltage of the $2 during the forward mode operation in bat- tery charge fluctuation stage. In addition, Figure 22 shows the battery voltage, primary current and drain-source of the Sto the same conditions of fluctuation stage Fig. 21, Experimental waveforms for MOSFET S, operating in forward mode Fig. 22. Experimental waveforms of the converter oper forward mode VII. CONCLUSION ‘The proposed bidirectional resonant topology bas sev- ral advantages over other converters because it has a soft- switching for all operating ranges in forward and backward modes. It takes advantage of the magnetic characteristics of the transformer asa power transfer element, and itis not neces- sary to insert induetors inthe citeuit Ithas a eapacitor bridge, as part of the resonant capacitance, besides operating with syn- ‘chronization rectification in forward mode, resulting ina high performance, low cost, reduced volume and highly efficient ‘converter, ‘The converter operates in forward and backward modes ‘with satisfactory results in terms of design. The operation in 2NS (for primary side MOSFETs) and ZCS (for secundary ‘side MOSFET) its extended to both forward and backward ‘modes on all load levels studied. The switching frequency range has reached satisfactory levels, with the minimum fre- {quency of 15 kHz reached in forward mode and the maximum ‘requency close fo 140 kHz in backward mode. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ‘We would like to thank the Brazilian institution the Federal ‘University of Juiz de Fora (UFIF) and the research foundations (CNPg, FAPEMIG, and CAPES forall financial, technical, and scientific support for this work, REFERENCES [1] José Goldemberg and Oswaldo Lucon. Energia ¢ meio ambiente no brasil. Estudos avancados, 21(59):7-20, 2007, [2] Robert H Lasseter. Smazt disteibution: Coupled micro- astids. Proceedings ofthe IEEE, 99(6):1074—1082, 2011 1] WVSubrahmanya Kumar Bhajana. Simulation based per- formance analysis of active clamp dhb zvzes bidirectional de-de converter for low power applications. Interna- tional Journal of Power Electronics and Drive Systems, 2(3):345, 2012, [4] Haifeng Fan and Hui Li, High-frequency transformer isolated bidirectional de~de converter modules with high eliicieney over wide load range for 20 kva solid-state transformer. IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 26(12):3599-3608, 2011. Yen-Ching Wang. 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