A High-Power Radio Frequency Converter With Wide-Range Power Regulation and ZVS Operation via Outphasing Modulation

High-power radio frequency converters (RFCs) need to deliver a wide-range power against variable load impedance. However, it is difficult to achieve a wide-range power regulation and zero voltage switching (ZVS) simultaneously. To address this issue, this article proposes a dc-link parallel ac-link series multiple power amplifier architecture with outphasing modulation. The generalized mathematical model of the proposed topology is presented. The system’s soft-switching range and criterion are analyzed. In addition, the mathematical results of harmonic synthesis are compared with the simulation results and experimental results. The proposed system can achieve low harmonics, ZVS operation, and wide-range power regulation. A 400-kHz and 2.4-kW RFC experimental prototype with two cells is built. The output power ranges from 1.2 kW to 2.4 kW with efficiencies of 93% –97.6%, demonstrating the high performance of the proposed system.