Current Balancing Technique in Symmetrical
Configuration of Quad-Active-Bridge Converter
using Integrated Magnetic Current Balancing Cells
Nabeel Naseem Honnyong Cha
School of Energy Engineering School of Energy Engineering
Kyungpook National University Kyungpook National University
Daegu, Korea Daegu, Korea
nabeelnaseem@gmail.com chahonny@knu.ac.kr
Abstract— in this paper, integrated magnetic current
balancing (IMCB) cell is proposed to balance the currents in
symmetrical configuration of quad-active-bridge (QAB)
converter without any dedicated controller. Proposed IMCB cell
is the magnetic integration of the QAB inductors required for
power transfer and zero voltage switching (ZVS). Therefore, it
does not increase the overall magnetic volume of converter.
Current balancing performance of the proposed IMCB cells is
effectively verified by a 2kW laboratory prototype.
Keywords—integrated magnetic current balancing (IMCB)
cell, quad-active-bridge (QAB) converter, solid-state-transformer
(SST)
I. INTRODUCTION
Due to the increasing growth in the load, the penetration
of renewables, and the deployment of the distributed
generation at the consumer end, the smart grid has drawn the
attention of the researchers and industry as a viable solution to
the existing electrical system. The key advancement in the
distribution system is a smart transformer or solid state
transformer (SST) is the fully controlled power electronic
based transformer. It provides a multiport connection for
distributed energy resources and increases the reliability of the
distribution system. It is composed of three stages as shown in
Fig. 1, medium-voltage (MV) ac-dc power factor correction
stage, high-frequency (HF) isolated dc-dc stage and low-
voltage (LV) dc-ac stage. The main challenge of SST is dc-dc
stage; it is because of high current capability at the LV side
and high voltage capability at MV side, with the requirement
of HF isolation and high efficiency. Compared to traditional
transformer SST provides HF isolation, which can supply
stable and clean power for ac and dc distribution having high
efficiency, reliability, maneuverability [1]-[2]. Different
topologies have been proposed for SST second stage, where
Quad-active-bridge (QAB) converter has received more
attention as a single converter module for LV dc system, as
well as a modular solution to the SST HF isolated dc-dc stage
[3]-[4]. The power exchange among the active H-bridges of
QAB converter is done through a single magnetic link. When
exchanging parallel power between the active H-bridges in
symmetric configuration, QAB may have some serious
current imbalance issues, due to mismatch in gate signal
generation, unequal propagation delay in gate drivers,
mismatch in switch on resistance/voltages, mismatch in
leakage inductances, and uneven parasitic elements in HF
transformer, unequal phase shift angles between active H-
bridges [5]-[6] etc. In order to overcome all the
aforementioned mismatches in parameters, a magnetic
integration based solution is proposed in this paper to solve
the serious current imbalance problem in symmetric
978-1-7281-0395-2/19/$31.00 ©2019 IEEE
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Jong-Soo Kim
Department of Electrical Engineering
Daejin University
Daejin, Korea
jskim2@daejin.ac.kr
MV Side LV Side
PFC Stages QAB Converters
Inverter
Feeder
Filter
AC
Feeder
DC
Fig. 1. Symmetric QAB configuration based architecture of SST.
configuration QAB converter. The proposed magnetic
integration method (Integrated Magnetic Current Balancing
Cell) can effectively balance the currents in symmetric
configuration QAB converter and can generate the
inductances required for zero voltage switching (ZVS)
operation in each active H-bridge simultaneously [7]-[8].
II. SYMMETRICALLY CONFIGURED QAB CONVERTER
The conventional structure for symmetric configuration
quad-active-bridge (QAB) is shown in Fig. 2. The elements of
the active H-bridges have sub-index = { , , , } to
indicate active H-bridge the element belongs to. It comprises
of four active H-bridges (A, B, C, and D), HF transformer
having four independent isolated windings with number of
turns , and four separate inductors . These conventional
inductors are needed to transfer the power among active H-
bridges as well as to achieve ZVS operation. Each bridge i has
dc voltage , inductor current ( ) and rectangular ac
voltage ( ) , at phase in radian. In the symmetrical
structure, MV side active H-bridges (A, B) are supposed to
transfer the power equally to the LV side active H-bridges (C,
D) simultaneously. HF transformer windings on MV side in
this case have equal number of turns ( = = )
and ( = ) , similarly for LV side ( = = )
and ( = ). Each active H-bridge can be replaced by the
equivalent rectangular ac voltage source ( ). To analyze
the circuit all sources should be considered on either side of
HF transformer therefore, ( ) and ( ) can be replaced
1353
 H-bridge A H-bridge C H-bridge A H-bridge C

S1A S3A S3C S1C S1A S3A IMCB Cells S3C S1C
iLA(t) iLC(t) iLA(t) iLC(t)
+ + + nA nC +
VdcA voA(t) nA nC voC(t) VdcC VdcA voA(t) voC(t) VdcC
- - - -
S2A S4A LA LC S4C S2C S2A S4A LselfA LselfC S4C S2C

S1B S3B S3D S1D S1B S3B S3D S1D

LB LD LselfB LselfD
+ + + +
VdcB voB (t) nB nD voD(t) VdcD VdcB voB (t) voD(t) VdcD
nB nD
- - - -
S2B S4B iLB(t) iLD(t) S4D S2D S2B S4B iLB(t) iLD(t) S4D S2D
HF Transformer HF Transformer

H-bridge B H-bridge D H-bridge B H-bridge D

Fig. 2. Conventional structure for symmetrically configured QAB Fig. 4. Proposed structure for symmetrically configured QAB converter
converter using separate inductors. using two IMCB cells.

IMCB Cell IMCB Cell

point of common coupling
point of common coupling
Lm1 Lm2
voA (t) LA iLA(t) iLC(t) LC voC(t) voA(t) iLA(t) iLC(t) voC(t)
LlkA LlkC

x
x LlkB LlkD
voB(t) iLB(t) iLD(t) voD(t)
voB(t) LB iLB(t) iLD(t) LD voD(t)

Fig. 3. Equivalent electrical model of conventional symmetrically Fig. 5. Equivalent electrical model of proposed structure for symmetrically
configured QAB converter using separate inductors. configured QAB converter using two IMCB cells.

by the primary (MV) reflected secondary (LV) equivalent converters for SST applications in future may have some
rectangular ac voltage sources ′( ) tolerances and mismatches in circuit parameters. Mismatches
and ′( )respectively. The electrical equivalent model of in circuit parameters introduce serious current imbalance
symmetrical structure is shown in Fig. 3. The central point problems in symmetrically configured QAB converter. There
is the point of common coupling among the four rectangular are several reasons for current imbalance some of them are (i)
ac voltage sources. The voltage ( ) is given as: mismatch in gate signal generation (ii) unequal propagation
delay in gate drivers (iii) mismatch in switch on
( )+ ( )+ ( )+ ′( ) resistance/voltages (iv) mismatch in ZVS and leakage
( ) = (1)
4 inductances (v) uneven parasitic elements in HF transformer
Power transfer from active H-bridge i to active H- (vi) unequal phase shift angles between active H-bridges etc.
In order to overcome all the aforementioned mismatches in
bridge j can be written in term of phase difference as: circuit parameters, a magnetic integration based solution is
presented to solve the serious current imbalance problem in
= 1− (2) symmetrically configured QAB converter.
2
= − (3) The proposed structure for symmetrically configured
QAB converter based on two winding IMCB cell is presented
( ) ( )− ( ) in Fig. 4. The proposed structure has one IMCB cell connected
= (4) to MV side and another one connected to LV side of HF
transformer instead of separate inductors. The two separate
Where, is the switching frequency, = { , , , }, = inductors connected in the conventional structure on each side
{ , , , } , = ( / ), and is an equivalent of HF transformer can be integrated together to make a
inductance seen from MV side and can be equated as: proposed IMCB cell. This proposed two winding magnetic
+ + integration method can effectively balance the two currents in
= + (5) symmetrically configured QAB converter and can offer the
2 2
sufficient inductances as well, which are required for power
A. The Structure based on Proposed IMCB Cell transfer and ZVS operation in each active H-bridge
simultaneously. Therefore, no extra magnetic volume is
Exchanging equal power between MV side and LV side is required for power transfer and ZVS inductors. The proposed
always a challenging task because it needs perfect match of IMCB cell is utilized for both purposes.
circuit parameters between active H-bridges A and B.
Similarly it needs perfect circuit parameters match between The electrical equivalent model of the proposed structure
active H-bridges C and D. Mass productions of such for symmetrically configured QAB converter based on two

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 Air gap Air gap No air gap
iLA(t) iLB(t) iLA(t) iLB(t)

ψA(t) ψB(t) ψA(t) ψB(t)

No magnetic
coupling between
inductors
NA NB NA NB

Air gap
Fig. 6. Two separated conventional inductors without magnetic coupling. Fig. 8. Proposed IMCB cell having strong magnetic coupling between the
windings.

g (⅛) c
g (¼) c g
g

(½) c (¼) c
c+

(¼) c (½)
NAiLA(t) NAiLA(t) (½) c (¼) c c
(¾)

(⅛) c NAiLA NBiLB

Fig. 7. Reluctance model of the conventional inductors.
(¼) c

winding IMCB cell is shown in Fig. 5. The leakage Fig. 9. Reluctance model of proposed IMCB cell.
inductances of IMCB cell are used to serve the purpose of
ZVS and power transfer inductances for the active H-bridges. ) respectively are related to the voltages ( , ) across
III. PROPOSED IMCB CELL windings as:

A. Structure and Model

+ −
Fig. 6 shows the separate conventional inductors whereas, = = (6)
− +
Fig. 8 represents the proposed integrated current balancing
(IMCB) cell having strong magnetic coupling between
inductors. The proposed IMCB cell is made by the magnetic = (7)
integration of separate conventional inductors. The proposed
IMCB cell consists of four UU-shaped ferrite cores. Central Where, ( , ) are the self-inductances of
two cores have strong magnetic coupling between two windings (A, B) respectively, M is the mutual inductance
windings (having turns and ) while outer two cores are between the windings, the minus sign with M represents
connected with loose coupling to provide the path for leakage inverse coupling, and k is the coefficient of mutual coupling
fluxes for two inductors. The proposed IMCB cell provides between the windings.
strong magnetic coupling between the windings as well as
generates sufficient inductances required for ZVS in active H- The inductances generated by the proposed IMB cell are
bridges. The proposed IMCB cell can be modeled like a the leakage inductances ( , ) of the windings turns
coupled inductor having good coupling coefficient. The ( , ) and are given as:
magnetic fluxes ( , ) generated by windings turns ( , = − (8)

= − (9)
To balance the equal current in two windings, following
condition must be satisfied by the proposed IMCB cell.
= = (10)

B. Reluctance Model
Considering ℛ is the magnetic core reluctance of UU-
shaped cores so that each side of UU-shaped core has the
reluctance (¼) ℛc. And ℛg is the magnetic reluctance of air
gap. The reluctance model for conventional separate inductor
Fig. 10. Effect of air gap reluctance on magnetic coupling in proposed
IMCB cell.

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 Voltage (V)
Voltage (V)

voA(100V/div) voA(100V/div)
voB(100V/div) voB(100V/div)

iLA(20A/div) iLA(20A/div)
iLB(20A/div)

Current (A)
iLB(20A/div)
Current (A)

Time (20μs/div) Time (20μs/div)

Voltage (V)
voC(100V/div)
Voltage (V)

voC(100V/div)
voD(100V/div) voD(100V/div)

iLC(20A/div) iLC(20A/div)
iLD(20A/div)

Current (A)
Current (A)

iLD(20A/div)

Time (20μs/div) Time (20μs/div)

Fig. 11. Simulation results of symmetric configuration QAB converter Fig. 12. Simulation results of symmetric configuration QAB using two
using conventional separate inductors. proposed IMCB cells on both sides of HF transformer.

is shown in Fig. 7. In Fig. 9, the reluctance model for = − (15)

proposed IMCB cell is presented. Mesh equation for three
window fluxes ( 1, 2, 3) can be written as: = − (16)
Substituting (12)-(16) in (6), we obtain (17), shown at the
bottom of the page. Comparing (17) with (6), we have
−
(28ℛc + 64ℛcℛg + 32ℛg )
3 1 = (18)
ℛc + ℛg 0 − ℛc (11) Rc(3ℛc + 4ℛg) (5ℛc + 8ℛg)
4 4
3 1
1 (28ℛc + 64ℛcℛg + 32ℛg )
= 0
ℛc + ℛg 2 ℛc = (19)
4 4 Rc(3ℛc + 4ℛg) (5ℛc + 8ℛg)
3
1 1
− ℛc ℛc ℛc (8ℛc + 32ℛcℛg + 32ℛg )
4 4 = (20)
Rc(3ℛc + 4ℛg) (5ℛc + 8ℛg)
Solving (11) for = = , we obtain the window
fluxes as: Substituting (18)-(20) in (7), we obtain
4 ( ℛc + ℛc + 6 ℛg + 2 ℛg)
1 = (12) 12ℛc + 16ℛg
15ℛc + 44ℛcℛg + 32ℛg = = (21)
Rc(5ℛc + 8ℛg)
4 ( ℛc + ℛc + 6 ℛg + 2 ℛg)
2 = (13) Substituting (18)-(20) in (8) and (9), we obtain the
15ℛc + 44ℛcℛg + 32ℛg coupling coefficient as:
4 ( − )(ℛc + 2ℛg)
3 = (14) 2ℛc + 8ℛcℛg + 8ℛg
ℛc(5ℛc + 8ℛg) = (22)
7ℛc + 16ℛcℛg + 8ℛg
The magnetic fluxes generated by windings can be
calculated as: The range of the coupling coefficient is found to be

(28Rc + 64RcRg + 32Rg ) (8Rc + 32RcRg + 32Rg )

+ −
Rc(3Rc + 4Rg) (5Rc + 8Rg) Rc(3Rc + 4Rg) (5Rc + 8Rg)
= (17)
(8Rc + 32RcRg + 32Rg ) (28Rc + 64RcRg + 32Rg )
− +
Rc(3Rc + 4Rg) (5Rc + 8Rg) Rc(3Rc + 4Rg) (5Rc + 8Rg)

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 0.285 < <1 (23) completely.

The effect of gap reluctance on magnetic coupling in IV. COMPUTER SIMULATIONS

proposed IMCB cell is plotted in Fig. 2. To have the good
current balancing the coupling coefficient should be designed
close to the unity.
C. Operation
For equal current sharing in proposed IMCB cell condition
given in (10) must be satisfied. From Fig. 8, the net magnetic
flux ( ) inside two central cores can be written as:
( )= ( )− ( )
μ
( )= ( )− ( )
Where, is the cross-sectional area of magnetic core, is
the magnetic path length of magnetic core, and μ is the
permeability of the magnetic core.
Balanced currents in two windings of proposed IMCB cell
generate zero net flux in central cores of IMCB cell. As long
as, the two IMCB cell currents ( ), and ( ) of the active
H-bridges and are equal to each other, the net magnetic
flux ( ) in the central cores is zero. Due to some
mismatch in circuit parameters, the unbalance in two IMCB
cell currents produces a non-zero net magnetic flux in the
central cores. Considering the case when > , the
difference of currents generate non zero net flux in the
central cores along the direction of given in (25). This net
flux is responsible to balance the currents in windings.
According to Lenz’s law this flux generates the induced
electromotive force that induces voltage across in reverse
direction causing to decrease until = and vice
versa. Although, there is very little amount of leakage flux in
IMCB cell due to air gap to have desired leakage inductance
however, the two currents are balanced effectively.
D. Limitations
The proposed IMCB cell is the result of magnetic
integration of already present separate inductors in QAB
converter. It serves the purpose of inductors as well as
balancing the currents in the inductors effectively. It has
magnetizing inductance and the leakage inductances in the
equivalent electrical model as shown in Fig. 5. Due to finite
magnetizing and non-zero leakage inductances, the coupling
coefficient is always less than unity. Therefore, the slight
difference of two balanced currents cannot be suppressed
The performance of the proposed IMCB cell employed in
symmetric configuration of QAB converter is analyzed
through computer simulations. Phase shift modulation (PSM)
is used to generate rectangular wave voltage at the ac side of
corresponding active H-bridge. The MV side active H-
bridges and are configured to transfer equal power to LV
side active H-bridge and . Such that the generated voltage
( ) is in phase with ( ) similarly, ( ) is in phase
(24) with ( ). To transfer the power from active H-bridges
( , ) to ( , ), ( , ) are generated at lagging phase
(25) positions to ( , ). Table I shows the circuit parameters
of the symmetric configuration of QAB converter using
conventional separate inductors. A noticeable mismatch is
deliberately created in phases of MV side voltages ( )
and ( ), and in LV side separate inductances and .
The unbalance in two simulated currents ( ) and ( )
can be seen in Fig. 11, which is due to phase mismatch.
Whereas, unbalance in currents ( ) and ( ) is due to
mismatch in inductance at LV side.
With the same mismatches in parameters, when proposed
IMCB cells are used on both sides of HF transformer the
unbalance currents become balance as shown in Fig. 12.
V. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS
In order to further validate the balancing technique a 2kW
laboratory prototype along with conventional separate
inductors and two proposed IMCB cells are developed and
tested for symmetric configuration QAB converter. Proposed
IMCB cells are designed using (18)-(22). The hardware setup
is tested according to the same electrical parameters given in
Table I and Table II. In addition to natural variance, slight
mismatch in leakage inductances in proposed IMCB cell is
achieved by varying the air gap in the one outer core of
proposed IMCB cell. The experimental results of symmetric
configuration of QAB converter using conventional separate
inductors and with the proposed IMCB cells are given in Fig.
13 and Fig. 14 respectively. There is a clear difference of
unbalance and balance currents in both figures. Hence,
experimental results from laboratory prototype testing reveal
that, proposed IMCB cell can effectively balance the current

TABLE I. CIRCUIT PARAMETERS OF QAB CONVERTER USING TABLE II. CIRCUIT PARAMETERS OF QAB CONVERTER USING PROPOSED
CONVENTIONAL INDUCTORS IMCB CELL

Input Side Output Side Input Side Output Side

0° 90° 0° 90°
Phase Shifts Phase Shifts
20° 90° 20° 90°
Conventional 37µH 37µH Proposed 37µH 37µH
Inductors IMCB Cell
37µH 31µH (k = 0.92) 37µH 31µH
HF Trans- 9 turns 9 turns HF Trans- 9 turns 9 turns
former 9 turns 9 turns former 9 turns 9 turns
100V 137V 100V 137V
DC Side DC Side
100V 137V 100V 137V

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 Fig. 13. Experimental results of symmetric configuration QAB converter
using conventional separate inductors.
without any dedicated controller. The slight difference in
balanced currents is due to the limitation of the proposed
IMCB cell as discussed in earlier section. Higher the coupling
coefficient and higher magnetizing inductance will have
lower the imbalance.
VI. CONCLUSION
In this paper integrated magnetic current balancing
(IMCB) cell is proposed to balance the currents in the
symmetrical configuration of quad-active-bridge (QAB)
converter. Hence, experimental results from the 2kW
laboratory prototype reveal that current balancing in QAB is
possible without any complicated balancing controller.
Furthermore, proposed IMCB cell does not increase the
overall magnetic volume of converter because it utilizes the
magnetics of already present leakage inductor required for
power transfer and ZVS in QAB converter. However, due to
the limitation of the proposed IMCB cell, unbalanced
currents cannot be completely suppressed.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This work was supported by the National Research
Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea
government (MSIT) (NRF-2019R1A2C1006367).
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