Multi-level Virtual Conductor Using Bidirectional DC-DC Converters

In this paper, a new control strategy for bidirectional dc-dc converter is proposed. This strategy allows a bidirectional dc-dc converter to act as a Multi-level virtual conductor. As a matter of fact, the voltage difference between the terminals of any conductor is zero volts. Conversely, the main target of the proposed control strategy is to keep the voltage difference between the converter terminals constant at certain value. In other words, the proposed control strategy permits the dc-dc converter to transfer the power between two nodes at different voltage levels. In this way, the converter performs like a conductor but unlike the normal conductor, it has voltage deference between its terminals. Thus, the authors call it virtual conductor. This virtual conductor is considered a base to power routing in dc networks. It allows an easy plug-and-play feature. The proposed bidirectional dc-dc system configuration has been investigated analytically, using PSIM simulator, and experimentally.