High performance coupled-inductor DC-DC converters

Many emerging applications call for high-efficiency, high-step-up DC-DC converters. Basic DC-DC topologies encounter extreme duty ratio and severe rectifier reverse-recovery problems. Cascade DC-DC converters can meet the requirements with the drawbacks of extra complexity and higher cost. Coupled-inductor DC-DC converters can provide high step-up voltage gain without the penalty of extreme duty ratio, but the stress and the loss related to the leakage energy are severe concerns. In this paper, high performance coupled-inductor DC-DC converters which can effectively handle the leakage energy are proposed. Not only are the extreme duty ratios eliminated but also the rectifier reverse-recovery problem is alleviated. Theoretical analysis and experimental results verify the proposed solutions.