Journal of Power Electronics

https://doi.org/10.1007/s43236-022-00583-y

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Automatic current balancing for two‑phase interleaved LLC resonant

converter
Jeonghun Kim1 · Nabeel Naseem1 · Honnyong Cha1 

Received: 1 March 2022 / Revised: 16 December 2022 / Accepted: 18 December 2022

© The Author(s) under exclusive licence to The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2023

Abstract
This study proposes a novel balanced two-phase interleaved LLC resonant converter. The LLC resonant converter offers a
promising solution for dc power conversion. This converter can achieve high efficiency and high-power density by imple-
menting zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) for primary switches and zero-current-switching for secondary rectifier diodes. The
input-parallel output-parallel systems that increase their power ratings by connecting two converters in parallel allow the
use of low-current rated switches in high-current applications. Moreover, the input and output passive filter size require-
ments in the two-phase interleaved converters are reduced, and they provide higher power density and improved dynamic
performance. However, the estimated tank gain characteristics become imbalanced due to the tolerances and the inevitable
mismatch of the resonant parameters. Accordingly, this system operates outside the ZVS region, and a severe current imbal-
ance with thermal runaway will occur. The proposed method achieves the perfect balance of input, output, and tank currents
utilizing the existing resonant inductor magnetics without additional active or passive components, expensive sensors, and
dedicated control schemes. The proposed method retains the advantages of the conventional LLC resonant converter over
the operating frequency range. Mathematical analysis and experimental results are presented to validate the performance
of the proposed method.

Keywords  CBCL · Current balancing · Interleaved · LLC · Resonant converter · Sensor-less

1 Introduction the tolerance and the inevitable mismatch of the resonant

The modular architecture of connecting low-power convert-
ers for high-power applications has been a vital research area
in recent years in which input-parallel output-parallel (IPOP)
systems provide a significant improvement in the reliability
of the overall system by introducing the desired redundancy
level. This architecture enables low-power rated devices
to be better utilized in high-power applications, improved
thermal distribution, fault tolerance, relatively easy design
and development [1]. An interleaved IPOP system reduces
the requirements of the input and output passive filter size,
providing higher power density and improved dynamic
performance. It also provides a significant decrease in the
electromagnetic interference levels [2]. However, the esti-
mated tank gain characteristics become imbalanced due to
* Honnyong Cha
chahonny@knu.ac.kr
1
School of Energy Engineering, Kyungpook National
University (KNU), Daegu, Republic of Korea
parameters in the two-phase interleaved converter. Accord-
ingly, this system operates outside the zero-voltage-switch-
ing (ZVS) region, and a severe current imbalance in output
occurs in which one converter carries the full-load current,
resulting in a thermal runaway [1, 2].
To solve this problem, several solutions have been pro-
posed [3–26]. An independently operating multiple current
control loop-based solution has been proposed for parallel-
connected LLC resonant converters to balance the currents
and minimize the circulating current [3]. The control amount
of zero vectors is injected into each phase in the modulation
scheme to realize equal current sharing [4]. Similar studies
are reported in [5–8].
The research introduced in [3–11] employs complicated
control schemes and sensors to obtain the current balanc-
ing function. References [9, 10] require additional switches
and [11] additionally use a power stage to achieve current
balancing. Although current balancing can be achieved, the
control scheme is more sensitive to noise, reducing reliabil-
ity and increasing the complexity and cost of the converter.

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Vol.:(0123456789)
 J. Kim et al.

In [12, 13], the capacitive method is realized by a charge transformer ( n ∶ 1 ), a rectifier doubler ( Da , Db ), and input
balance condition and can be extended to multi-phase appli- and output filter capacitors ( Cin , Co1 , Co2 ). The half-bridge
cations with a good current sharing performance. However, switches operate complementary with dead-time td and are
adding dc blocking capacitors or flying capacitors increase derived with a 50% duty cycle. The switching frequency fs
the cost. The input voltage of each phase is reduced, resulting of the gate signals is varied to regulate the output voltage
in an uneven switch stress, which makes the thermal design Vo . Interleaving two such converters at 180° can reduce the
complicated. current ripples in the input and output currents, thus reduc-
Automatic current sharing for multi-phase resonant con- ing the requirements of the input and output filters. The dc
verters by matching the input impedance of each phase is pre- gain G(fn , Q, k) of the single-phase converter shown in Fig. 1
sented in [14]. A relatively simple current sharing method by can be found by incorporating the fundamental harmonic
grouping the transformer’s secondary windings is considered approximation (FHA) as follows:
in [17]. In this method, the transformer’s secondary windings
1
of each phase are equally divided into several branches of the
( )
G fn , Q, k = √
same number of phases that force the secondary currents to
[
1
(
1
)]2 ( )2 (1)
n 1+ 1− + Q2 fn − f1
balance. Such methods [14–17] can balance the primary reso- km fn2 n

nant current and the load current for all phases without any
additional circuit and control strategy. However, these methods fs 𝜔 1 𝜔L L
[14–17] cannot apply to interleaved phases. fn = = s , 𝜔r 2 = , Q = r r , km = m (2)
fr 𝜔r Lr C r Rac Lr
Magnetic-based solutions are also reported in [18–26].
The resonant component mismatch is compensated by a where fr and fn are the resonant and normalized frequencies,
closed-loop control that regulates the current-controlled respectively; Q is the quality factor of a resonant tank; km is
inductor value and minimizes the current imbalance [18]. the ratio of magnetizing Lm and resonant Lr inductances; n is
However, the added current-controlled bulky inductor and the transformer turns ratio; and Rac is the reflected equivalent
auxiliary circuitry to drive its biased winding decrease the ac resistance referred to the primary side. With a voltage
power density and efficiency of the converter. In [19–22], doubler rectifier at the output stage, Rac can be expressed
additional magnetic components are applied to equalize the as follows:
current. In [23–27], the integrated magnetic structures for
2 2
the current balancing performance are utilized; however, Rac = n RL (3)
𝜋2
they are not realized with an interleaving effect [21–27]. In
[23], the generated inductances in the magnetic structure The characteristic gain curves vs the normalized fre-
have no controlled path for the leakage flux and are parasitic- quency of a single LLC resonant converter for the vari-
dependent with an insufficiently small value. Moreover, the ous Q factors at k  = 4 using FHA is shown in Fig. 2. The
customized magnetic core used increases the converter cost.
This paper proposes a reliable solution based on mag-
netic integration for an interleaved two-phase LLC resonant
converter. This approach effectively achieves the balance io1
of input, output, and tank currents utilizing the existing iin1 vs1 Cr1
n :1 Da1
resonant inductor magnetics. A significant advantage of the Sa1 ir1 Co1
proposed method is that it preserves the benefits of a con- Lm1
ventional LLC resonant converter including high efficiency, Sb1 Lr1
T1 Db1
narrow switching frequency range, wide load range, and soft LLC-1
switching on all power devices while ensuring an effective Vin Cin
RL
natural current balancing without additional active or pas- io2
sive components, expensive sensors, and dedicated control iin2 vs2 Lr2
schemes. n :1 Da2
Sa2 ir2
Lm2
Sb2 Cr2 Co2
T2 Db2
2 Conventional two‑phase interleaved LLC
LLC-2
resonant converter
Fig. 1  Conventional structure for a two-phase interleaved LLC reso-
Figure 1 shows the conventional interleaved LLC resonant nant converter using the discrete resonant inductors. The direction of
converter. A single LLC resonant converter circuit comprises currents ir1 and ir2 is assumed to have come out from the switching
a half-bridge (two switches), a resonant tank ( Cr , Lr , Lm ), a nodes

13
Automatic current balancing for two‑phase interleaved LLC resonant converter

peak values of the characteristic gain curves are dependent

Gmax b c k=4
on the Q factors. At resonant frequency fn = 1, the gain
is independent of Q factors. The gain curve with a posi-

tive slope representing the zero-current-switching (ZCS)
region is avoided because of the hard switching turn-on
of the primary switches. The gain curves with a negative
slope representing the turn-on ZVS region can be cho-
sen as a desired operating region. However, the negative
slope region with fn< 1 can also achieve turn-off ZCS on
the secondary side rectifiers. Therefore, the tank circuit
parameters can be designed for this region enclosed by
three points ( a , b , and c ) as shown in Fig. 2. However, the
tolerances of the parameters in the tank circuit can change
the estimated ZVS boundary. Consequently, the converter
may lose ZVS, and a serious current imbalance between
converters occurs, in which one converter carries a full-
load current, and thermal runaway is the probable result.
We consider the 20% tolerance in the resonant capacitor.
The capacitance value can now exist somewhere between
0.8 Cr and 1.2 Cr  . The influence of this tolerance on the
ZVS boundary is observed by plotting the characteristic
gain curves versus switching frequency instead of the nor-
malized frequency in Fig. 3. Some parts of the operating
region can now enter the positive slope region with toler-
ance in Cr and lose the ZVS. Furthermore, the effect of
the tolerance on other tank parameters can also drift the
ZVS boundary and the operating region. The unavoidable
mismatch in the other circuit parameters, such as uneven
propagation delay in gate drivers, mismatch in gate signal
generation, leakage inductances, switch on resistance/volt-
ages, and uneven parasitic elements in the transformers,
is also responsible for the current imbalance between the
converters. Moreover, having a good match of the circuit
parameters is unrealistic and increases the system cost.
Gain G(Q,k,fs)
ZVS boundary with 0.8Cr
ZVS boundary with Cr
ZVS boundary with 1.2Cr
Gmin a
fs(min) fr
Switching frequency fs (kHz)
Fig. 3  Gain curves vs switching frequency of a single LLC resonant
converter for the various Q factors at k = 4 using FHA considering
20% tolerance in Cr
3 Proposed two‑phase interleaved LLC
resonant converter
The existing resonant inductors ( Lr1 and Lr2 ) of the con-
ventional two-phase interleaved LLC resonant converter in
Fig. 1 physically contact each other to create a two-winding
current balancing coupled inductor (CBCL). Figure 4 shows
the proposed structure using a two-winding CBCL for a two-
phase interleaved LLC resonant converter. The inductors are
inversely coupled because the two resonant currents have
a 180° phase shift. Accordingly, the two fluxes inside the
core are in opposing directions. This situation effectively
balances the two resonant currents and offers the leakage
inductances ( Llk1 and Llk2 ) on both sides that are utilized as
the resonant inductors ( Lr1 = Llk1 , Lr2 = Llk2 ). Therefore, no
additional components or extra magnetic volume is required.
The proposed two-winding CBCL does both.

io1
iin1 vs1 Cr1
Sa1 ir1 n :1 Da1
Co1
Lm1
Gmax b c k=4 Sb1
T1 Db1
Operating LLC-1
Gain G(Q,k,fn)

Vin Cin Proposed

ZCS region CBCL
RL
io2
region iin2 vs2
n :1 Da2
Sa2 ir2
Gmin a Lm2
fn(min) Sb2 Cr2 Co2
T2 Db2
Normalized frequency fn LLC-2

Fig. 2  Gain curves vs normalized frequency of a single LLC resonant Fig. 4  Proposed structure for a two-phase interleaved LLC resonant
converter for various Q factors at k = 4 using FHA. The operating converter with the proposed method as a substitute for discrete reso-
region of a converter is shown by the area enclosed by three points ( a nant inductors. The direction of currents ir1 and ir2 is assumed to have
, b and c) come out from the switching nodes

13
 J. Kim et al.

4 Proposed two‑winding CBCL

The following features make the proposed two-winding

CBCL unique using the U-shaped magnetic core structure
compared to the conventional coupled inductors:

1. Despite tolerance in the resonant tank components and a

major discrepancy in the circuit parameters, it flawlessly
equates two currents. No additional current balancing (a)
transformer is obligatory.
No air gap
2. It provides two leakage inductances utilized in LLC reso- ir1(t) ir2(t)
nance. No further inductors are required. ψ1,m(t ) ψ2,m(t )
3. It provides the leakages comparable to those of discrete
inductors; hence, the equivalent circuit inductances do Nir1 Nir2
ψ1 ψ2
not remarkably change (Sec. 5.3). N lg N
4. It provides the leakage flux path, allowing the leakage
inductance to be controlled. The air gap can be altered. ψ1,σ(t ) ψ2,σ(t )
5. The magnetic volume of the converter is not changed
Strong magnetic coupling
because the existing resonant inductors are used. between inductors
6. It has an intuitive and simple design, and the magnetic
(b) (c)
cores utilized are commercially accessible.
7. The structure is mechanically stable and provides less
Fig. 5  a Conventional discrete inductors with U-shaped ferrite cores;
EMI emission due to the central leg air gap.
b proposed two-winding CBCL structure with U-shaped ferrite cores;
c reluctance model of the proposed two winding CBCL

4.1 Magnetic structure
4.2 Reluctance model
Two resonant inductors have the same number of turns
N  . The U-shaped ferrite cores that have an air gap lg in The inductance of the separate inductor is provided in (6)
one leg are utilized, as shown in Fig.  5a. The Appen- using the air gap magnetic reluctance Rg and the U-shape core
dix provides the core specifications. These inductors can reluctance Rc . The core reluctance can be neglected due to the
physically contact each other to create the proposed two- lesser effect of the core reluctance on the inductance over the
winding CBCL as shown in Fig. 5b. The two outer legs air gap reluctance ( Rg ≫ Rc).
of the proposed two-winding CBCL offer strong magnetic
coupling between two windings and effectually balance N2 𝜇 N 2 Ac
L= = o (6)
the two currents, whereas the inner legs with air gaps in Rg lg
the central part provide an adjustable leakage flux path to
where Ac represents the core cross-sectional area, and 𝜇o
obtain leakage inductances used for resonance. The wind-
denotes the free space permeability. The proposed two-wind-
ing voltages ( v1 , v2 ) are presented as follows:
ing CBCL’s reluctance model is developed and presented in
[ ] [
v1 L1 −M
][ dir1 ] [ d𝜓1 ]
N dt Fig. 5c. The parameters, namely, coupling coefficient, self,
= dt
dir2 = d𝜓 (4) mutual and leakage inductances, can be calculated by sim-
v2 −M L2 N dt2
dt plifying the reluctance model:
( )
5Rc + 3Rg
(5)
√
M = k L1 L2 , Llk1 = L1 − M, Llk2 = L2 − M L1 = L2 = ( ) N2 (7)
4Rc Rc + Rg
where L1 and L2 are self-inductances, M is the mutual induct-
ance (the negative sign with M in (4) represents inverse
(Rc + 3Rg )
coupling), ir1 and ir2 are resonant currents, 𝜓1 and 𝜓2 are M= N2 (8)
the generated magnetic fluxes by the windings, and k is the 4Rc (Rc + Rg )
coupling coefficient.

13
Automatic current balancing for two‑phase interleaved LLC resonant converter

Rc + 3Rg N ( )
k= , (1∕5 < k < 1) (9) 𝜓1,𝜎 =
4Rg
5ir1 − ir2 (15)
5Rc + 3Rg

N
1 N2 𝜓2,𝜎 = (−i + 5ir2 ) (16)
Llk1 = Llk2 = N2 ≅ (10) 4Rg r1
Rc + Rg Rg
1) WHEN ir1 = ir2 = ir
The proposed two-winding CBCL has leakage paths
When two resonant currents are in a balanced condition
in the central part, which cause less than 100% magnetic
( ir1 = ir2 = ir ), then no balancing flux exists inside the core
coupling. The flux leakages are needed to produce leakage
( 𝜓1,m = 𝜓2,m = 0).
inductances that are intended for resonance operation.
N
4.3 Leakage inductances vs separate inductors 𝜓1 = 𝜓2 = 𝜓1,𝜎 = 𝜓2,𝜎 = i
Rg r (17)

The inductance of the conventional discrete inductors is The flux in the central legs of the proposed two-winding
dependent on the air gap reluctance. Joining such two induc- CBCL ( 𝜓central ) is the sum of the leakage fluxes.
tors made on a one-leg gapped U-shaped ferrite core does
N
not alter this dependence. Equations (10) and (6) derived 𝜓central = 𝜓1,𝜎 + 𝜓2,𝜎 = 2i (18)
Rg r
using the reluctance model show that the physical joining
of the separate inductors provides the working inductance 2) WHEN ir1 ≠ ir2
(leakage inductance) in the circuit equal to the separated When two resonant currents are not in a balanced condition
inductances. Thus, the proposed two-winding CBCL’s leak- ( ir1 ≠ ir2 ), then the flux in the outer legs has a non-zero value
age inductance can be designed with an air gap and a number and must be examined to avoid the saturation of the core in the
of turns. outer legs. Based on the weighted differences of the currents,
these fluxes are determined as follows:
4.4 Flux distribution [ ]
𝜇 NA 𝜇 ( ) 1(
𝜓1 = o c r 3ir1 − 3ir2 +
)
The two separate conventional inductors made on a one-leg
5ir1 − ir2 (19)
4 lc lg
gapped U-shaped ferrite core are joined. Accordingly, the
fluxes generated by the windings are always in the oppos- [ ]
𝜇o NAc 𝜇r ( ) 1(
ing directions. In Fig. 4, the direction of currents ir1 and
)
𝜓2 = 3ir2 − 3ir1 + 5ir2 − ir1 (20)
ir2 is assumed to have come out from the switching node. 4 lc lg
However, the direction of current ir2 shown in Fig. 5b is
where 𝜇r is the relative permeability of the magnetic mate-
according to the current directions assumed in Fig. 4. Given
rial, and lc is the magnetic path length of the UU-shaped
that the currents are interleaved at 180°, the actual current
ferrite core.
direction is opposite to what is assumed in Fig. 4. Each gen-
However, the balancing f luxes are neutralized
erated flux ( 𝜓1 , 𝜓2 ) is divided into two terms: balancing flux
( 𝜓1,m + 𝜓2,m = 0 ) in the central part of the core while inter-
( 𝜓1,m , 𝜓2,m ) balancing the currents and leakage flux ( 𝜓1,𝜎 ,
acting with each other due to the strong magnetic coupling
𝜓2,𝜎 ) generating the leakage inductance.
between the windings. Therefore, the sum of the fluxes in the
𝜓1 = 𝜓1,m + 𝜓1,𝜎 (11) central part is the sum of the leakage fluxes.
N
𝜓2 = 𝜓2,m + 𝜓2,𝜎 (12)
𝜓central = 𝜓1,𝜎 + 𝜓2,𝜎 = (i + i )
Rg r r2 (21)

These flux components can be further defined using the The flux leakage of each leg of the proposed magnetic
reluctance model as follows: structure ( 𝜓𝜎 ) is directly related to the average of two resonant
N currents and is written as follows:
𝜓1,m = (3i − 3ir2 )
4Rc r1 (13)
N ir + ir2
𝜓𝜎 =
Rg
(
2
) (22)
N
𝜓2,m =
4Rc
(−3ir1 + 3ir2 ) (14)

13
 J. Kim et al.

4.5 Current balancing operation Table 1  Electrical specifications

Vo 400 [V]
The leakage flux ( 𝜓1,𝜎 , 𝜓2,𝜎 ) of the proposed two-winding
Vin 320–400 [V]
CBCL is used to generate a required resonant inductance and
Po 1 [kW] (each)
is not anticipated in a current balancing operation. The bal-
fr 100 [kHz]
ancing parts ( 𝜓1,m , 𝜓2,m ) of the generated flux interact with
fs 64–100 [kHz]
each other. The net balancing flux 𝜓net in the core is zero as
G 1–1.25
long as the magnitudes of the resonant currents are equal to
each other. The net balancing flux inside the core is not zero n 1
due to the imbalanced currents and is liable for balancing km 4
two resonant currents. For example, imbalance in resonant Cr 99.24 [nF]
currents occurs; thus, 𝜓1,m > 𝜓2,m . The difference generates Lr 25.53 [μH]
the non-zero net flux along the 𝜓1,m direction. In accordance Lm 102.1 [μH]
with Lenz’s law, this flux produces the persuaded electromo- Rac 32.423 [Ω]
tive forces that induce the voltages across the windings in
an opposite direction. This phenomenon causes a lessening

Fig. 7  Experimental results with mismatch in C_r at three different ◂

in the increased current and a rise in the decreased current
until both resonant currents are balanced, and vice versa.
frequencies: a, b, c using separate resonant inductors; d, e, f using
The magnetic coupling proclaims how the current balancing the proposed two-winding CBCL (a, d—fs = 100 kHz (fs = fr); b, e –
performance can be efficiently realized. The two resonant fs = 80 kHz (fs < fr); c, f – fs = 64 kHz (fs = fs(min)))
currents turn out to be equal ( ir1 = ir2 ) as k approaches unity.
ir1 = kir2 (23) 4.7 Drawbacks

A strong magnetic coupling between the windings provides

4.6 Measurement method
good balancing performance for the output and input cur-
rents between the two phases. The proposed two-winding
The leakage inductances of the proposed two-winding
CBCL is implemented by integrating the magnetics of the
CBCL can be easily measured with an LCR meter. Utilizing
separate resonant inductors. Consequently, the LLC reso-
the equivalent T-model of the proposed two winding CBCL,
nant converters with resonant inductors included in the
one of two possible connections for measurement purposes
main transformer as leakage inductance cannot utilize the
is made as shown in Fig. 6. The mutual inductance M of the
proposed method. The proposed method does not increase
proposed two-winding CBCL is obtained as follows:
the power density, reduce the cost, or change the size of the
converter. The magnetic volume of the converter does not
√ √
M = L1 [L2 − L2(short,1) = L2 [L1 − L1(short,2) (24)
change compared with the converter with separate resonant
inductors.
where L1(short,2) is the measured inductance of side 1 when
the side 2 terminals are connected together, and L2(short,1) is
the measured inductance of side 2 when the side 1 terminals
are joined together. The leakage inductances are found by
5 Experimental validation
substituting (24) in (5).
A 2-kW prototype of the interleaved two-phase LLC resonant
converter was built and tested to verify the proposed method.
Each converter consists of a half-bridge-based LLC resonant
Llk1 Llk2 Llk1 Llk2 converter that operates complementary with dead-time and
are derived with a 50% duty cycle with interleaving at 180°.
L1(short,2) M M L2(s h o r,1)t The Texas Instrument DSP (Delfino TMS320F28335) is
used to generate gate signals. Accordingly, the switching
frequency fs of the gate signals is varied as the input voltage
(a) (b) is changed to adjust the output voltage Vo to a fixed value.
The electrical specifications of the single LLC resonant con-
Fig. 6  Measurement connections of the proposed two-winding CBCL verter are presented in Table 1. In addition to the tolerance
by considering the equivalent T-model: a when the terminals of side
2 are connected together; b when the terminals of side 1 are joined
of circuit parameters, only Cr deliberately creates a signifi-
together cant mismatch. Considering a 22% capacitance variation,

13
Automatic current balancing for two‑phase interleaved LLC resonant converter

Frequencies With separate resonant inductors With the proposed two-winding CBCL

ir1 [5A/div]
vs2 [200V/div] vs1 [200V/div] vs2 [200V/div] vs1 [200V/div]

ir2 [5A/div]
ir1 [5A/div] ir2 [5A/div]
At resonant
frequency
= 100 kHz iin1 [10A/div] iin1 [10A/div]
( ) iin2 [10A/div] iin2 [10A/div]

io1 [10A/div] io1 [10A/div]

io2 [10A/div] io2 [10A/div]

Time (s) [2µs/div] Time (s) [2µs/div]

(a) (d)

vs2 [200V/div] vs1 [200V/div] vs2 [200V/div] vs1 [200V/div]

ir2 [20A/div]

At switching ir1 [5A/div] ir2 [5A/div]

frequency ir1 [20A/div]
= 80 kHz iin1 [10A/div]
( = ) iin1 [10A/div]
iin2 [10A/div] iin2 [10A/div]

io1 [10A/div] io1 [10A/div]

io2 [10A/div] io2 [10A/div]

Time (s) [2µs/div] Time (s) [2µs/div]

(b) (e)

vs2 [200V/div] vs1 [200V/div] vs2 [200V/div] vs1 [200V/div]

At switching
frequency ir2 [10A/div] ir2 [10A/div]
ir1 [10A/div] ir1 [10A/div]
= 64 kHz iin1 [10A/div]
( ) iin2 [10A/div]
iin1 [10A/div]
iin2 [10A/div]

io1 [10A/div] io1 [10A/div]

io2 [10A/div] io2 [10A/div]

Time (s) [2µs/div] Time (s) [2µs/div]

(c) (f)

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 J. Kim et al.

Table 2  Parameters of the proposed two-winding CBCL three different input voltage conditions to ensure that they
provide a fixed output voltage at three different frequencies.
L1 234 [μH]
L2 233.2 [μH]
5.1 Conventional structure
L1 (Short,2) 50.12 [μH]
L2 (Short,1) 49.78 [μH]
The separate resonant inductors are prepared using the
N 15 [turns]
aforementioned core. The core specification is provided
M 207.1 [μH] in the Appendix. The area product approach for the AC
k 0.886 inductor is followed as a design method. The hardware
Llk1 26.8 [μH] prototype with the mismatch is tested using these separate
Llk2 26 [μH] inductors. The experimental waveforms at fs = 100 kHz
(at the resonant frequency) are shown in Fig. 7a. The two
an extreme possible condition is taken for the experiment. output currents ( io1 and io2 ) become completely imbal-
Resonant capacitance ( Cr1 = 78 nF) is utilized for the LLC-1 anced due to the parameter mismatch. Current io2 approxi-
resonant tank, whereas ( Cr2 = 122 nF) is employed for the mates zero while io1 carries a full-load current. The two
LLC-2 resonant tank. The hardware prototype is tested at input currents ( iin1 and iin2 ) are also imbalanced. Similar

With the separate resonant inductors With the proposed two-winding CBCL

Vin [500V/div] Vin [500V/div]

vs1 [500V/div] vs1 [500V/div]

ir1 [20A/div]
ir1 [10A/div]

ir2 [20A/div]
ir2 [10A/div]

iin1 [10A/div]
iin1 [10A/div]

iin2 [10A/div]
iin2 [10A/div]

io1 [10A/div] io1 [10A/div]

io2 [10A/div]
io2 [10A/div]
[5ms/div] [5ms/div]
Vin [200V/div] vs1 [200V/div]

ir1 [10A/div] ir1 [5A/div]

ir2 [10A/div]
ir2 [5A/div]
iin1 [10A/div] iin1 [5A/div]

iin2 [5A/div]
iin2 [10A/div]
io1 [5A/div]
io1 [10A/div]
io2 [10A/div]
io2 [5A/div]
Time (s) [100µs/div] Time (s) [100µs/div]

(a) (b)

Fig. 8  Step-input response at resonant frequency with mismatch in Cr: a using conventional separate resonant inductors; b using the proposed
two-winding CBCL

13
Automatic current balancing for two‑phase interleaved LLC resonant converter
situations are observed in Fig. 7b and c at lower frequen-
cies. However, the resonant converter LLC-1 enters the
positive slope region of the characteristic gain curve and is
vulnerable to the input current spikes at lower frequencies
due to tolerance in tank circuit parameter.
5.2 Proposed structure
The proposed two-winding CBCL is made by joining con-
ventional separate resonant inductors. The circuit param-
eters of the proposed two-winding CBCL are provided in
Table 2. The hardware prototype with the same tolerance
in Cr and mismatch conditions examined using the conven-
tional method is tested with the proposed method instead
of discrete resonant inductors. The experimental waveforms
at fs = 100 kHz (at the resonant frequency) are shown in
Fig. 7d. With the same significant mismatch, the proposed
method almost perfectly balances the two output currents ( io1
and io2 ) and the two input currents ( iin1 , iin2 ). In Fig. 7e and
f, the proposed method shows good current balancing per-
formance at lower frequencies. Moreover, no spikes appear
in the waveforms. Hence, a major discrepancy in the circuit
parameters do not affect the balancing performance of the
proposed method.
5.3 Step‑input response
The dynamic responses are verified by generating a step
change in the input voltage in a two-phase interleaved LLC
resonant converter. A step change of the input voltage Vin is
applied from 0 to 400 V. Figure 8a shows the response with
conventional resonant inductors. A significant imbalance can
be observed in the current waveforms during transient and in
steady state. Figure 8b shows the response with the proposed
two-winding CBCL. Despite the same significant mismatch
in circuit parameters, the proposed method perfectly bal-
ances the currents during transient and in steady state.
6 Conclusion
In this paper, a novel balanced two-phase interleaved LLC
resonant converter is proposed and analyzed. A 2-kW
prototype is tested to verify the performance of the pro-
posed method. In addition to the tolerance, a significant
mismatch is deliberately created in the resonant tank cir-
cuit parameters. The operation of the proposed method is
compared with that of the conventional one. The proposed
method utilizes the existing resonant inductor magnetics
and achieves the perfect balance of input, output, and tank
currents without additional active or passive components,
expensive sensors, and dedicated control schemes. Moreo-
ver, the controlled leakage flux path in the proposed two-
winding CBCL structure offers two inductances used for
resonance. The proposed method also retains the advan-
tages of the conventional LLC resonant converter over the
operating frequency range.
Appendix
The magnetic core specification with an air gap in one
leg used for the proposed two-winding CBCL is given as
follows:
Company TODA-ISU
Type of Material Ferrite PM12
Core area 120 ­mm2
One leg air gap (U-shaped) 4 mm
Entire air gap (UU-shaped) 8 mm
Acknowledgements  This work was supported by the Korea Institute of
Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) grant funded by
the Korea government (MOTIE) (20225500000090, Advanced Control
& Protection Platform for Multi-terminal MVDC System and Engineer-
ing Design Protocol).
Data availability  The datasets generated during and/or analyzed dur-
ing the current study are available from the corresponding author on
reasonable request.
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Automatic current balancing for two‑phase interleaved LLC resonant converter

Honnyong Cha  received his B.S. Electrotechnology Research Institute, Changwon, South Korea. In
and M.S. degrees in Electronics 2011, he joined the School of Energy Engineering, Kyungpook
Engineering from Kyungpook National University. In 2017, he was a Visiting Scholar in the Future
National University, Daegu, Energy Electronics Center, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
South Korea, in 1999 and 2001, University, Blacksburg, VA, USA. His current research interests
respectively. He received his include high-power dc–dc converters, dc–ac inverters, Z-source invert-
Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engi- ers, and power conversion for electric vehicles and wind power genera-
neering from Michigan State tion .
University, East Lansing, MI,
USA, in 2009. From 2001 to
2003, he was a Research Engi-
neer with the Power System
Technology Company, Ansan,
South Korea. From 2010 to
2 0 1 1 , h e wa s a S e n i o r
Researcher with the Korea

13