Single-phase/-stage NPC-based rectifier integrating a simple DCM PFC technique

This work aims to present a simple strategy to build a single phase/-stage PFC converter with near unity power factor, using a NPC cell and passive elements to produce an input current with low distortion while feeding a battery cell bank with constant current. It is based on a discontinuous conduction mode technique and a standard phase-shift modulation to drive the NPC active switches. To demonstrate its effectiveness a 1.5 kW battery charger was built and tested.