A novel self-oscillating, boost-derived DC-DC converter with load regulation

This paper proposes a novel self-oscillating, boost-derived (SOBD) dc-dc converter with load regulation. This proposed topology utilizes saturable cores (SCs) to offer self-oscillating and output regulation capabilities. Conventionally, the self-oscillating dc transformer (SODT) type of scheme can be implemented in a very cost-effective manner. The ideal dc transformer provides both input and output currents as pure, ripple-free dc quantities. However, the structure of an SODT-type converter will not provide regulation, and its oscillating frequency will change in accordance with the load. The proposed converter with SCs will allow output-voltage regulation to be accomplished by varying only the control current between the transformers, as occurs in a pulse-width modulation (PWM) converter. A control network that combines PWM schemes with a regenerative function is used for this converter. The optimum duty cycle is implemented to achieve low levels of input- and output-current ripples, which are characteristic of an ideal dc transformer. The oscillating frequency will spontaneously be kept near-constant, regardless of the load, without adding any auxiliary or compensation circuits. The typical voltage waveforms of the transistors are found to be close to quasisquare. The switching surges are well suppressed, and the voltage stress of the component is well clamped. The turn-on/turn-off of the switch is zero-voltage switching (ZVS), and its resonant transition can occur over a wide range of load current levels. A prototype circuit of an SOBD converter shows 86% efficiency at 48-V input, with 12-V, 100-W output, and presents an operating frequency of 100 kHz.