Evolution of soft-switched, high-frequency, high-power isolated DC-DC converter

From hard switching to soft switching, this paper discusses the evolution of a high-power, high-frequency DC-DC power converter, and in particular surmounting the limitations of the ARCP topology caused by high-frequency switching and tail current losses in power devices. Comparing analytical simulation to test data demonstrates the benefits of adding an output commutating switch to the ARCP topology for use in high-power, high-frequency DC-DC converters whose input voltage exceeds 800 V DC. The performance of a 150 kW soft-switched DC-DC converter from 1100 V DC into a regulated and isolated 270 V DC output at 20 kHz switching frequency is analyzed and compared to hard switching.