Multiphase Converter Based on Transformer Coupling

In this paper, a multiphase converter where the phases are coupled by transformers is proposed to implement a minimum energy-storage converter. Advantages and drawbacks of this topology are analyzed and validated by means of three prototypes. The two main advantages of the minimum energy-storage concept are that the converter can be operated at very low frequency since the transient response is not affected by the switching frequency, thus achieving very high efficiency while at the same time, providing a fast energy transfer between the input and the output. Since this topology operates (ideally) with no energy storage, energy flow into the magnetic elements of the topology needs to be adequately controlled. The main application of this topology is a “dc-dc transformer” for two-stage power architectures.