A family of high factor rectifiers based on dc-to-dc current multilevel converters

This paper presents a family of high power factor rectifiers based on three current multilevel dc-to-dc converters. These converters features, as a common characteristic, a voltage source input, which makes them able to provide an input current with multiple levels, if an appropriate switching strategy is employed. This family of rectifiers can also provide a unity displacement power factor, leading to a high power factor operation. Simulation results for the buck current multilevel rectifier are shown, as well as experimental results for a 2-kW prototype of the structure, implemented in laboratory, what confirms the capability of the circuit to provide a five-level input current and a safe distribution of the output current among the commutation switches that compose the rectifier. Simulation results are presented for the buck-boost and zeta current multilevel rectifiers. A brief discussion and a comparison among the three structures are also included.