Independently-Sourced Series-Input Connected Converters with Uniform Current-Sharing

This paper extends the application of current-mode, shared-bus converters to independently-sourced power system architectures consisting of multiple power- processing channels, each of which is configured as series-input, parallel-output (SIPO). By employing a SIPO interconnect method, current-mode commercial-off-the- shelf (COTS) DC-DC converters can transform higher input voltages into low output voltages, provide flexible options for power system expansion, and preserve system efficiencies equal to those obtained from standalone converters. Robust system stability and uniform input voltage distribution among series-connected converters is realized through input voltage distribution control. Active current-sharing control ensures nearly uniform distribution of the channel-output currents between the independently sourced SIPO power channels. Through computer simulation and experimental prototypes the uniform voltage distribution power converter architecture with current-sharing is validated and successfully applied.