Single-phase Z-source PWM AC-AC converters

The letter proposes a new family of simple topologies of single-phase PWM ac-ac converters with a minimal number of switches: voltage-fed Z-source converter and current-fed Z-source converter. By PWM duty-ratio control, they become "solid-state transformers" with a continuously variable turns ratio. All the proposed ac-ac converters in this paper employ only two switches. Compared to the existing PWM ac-ac converter circuits, they have unique features: providing a larger range of output ac voltage with buck-boost, reversing or maintaining phase angle, reducing in-rush and harmonic current, and improving reliability. The operating principle and control method of the proposed topologies are presented. Analysis, simulation, and experimental results are given using the voltage-fed Z-source ac-ac converter as an example. The analysis can be easily extended to other converters of the proposed family. The proposed converters could be used in voltage regulation, power regulation, and so on.