On Automatic Resonant Frequency Tracking in LLC Series Resonant Converter Based on Zero-Current Duration Time of Secondary Diode

In order to achieve higher efficiency for the unregulated LLC series resonant converter, the switching frequency must be equal to the resonant frequency. However, since the converter works in open-loop condition, the switching frequency usually deviates from the resonant frequency in real converter. This paper proposed a new control method to track the resonant frequency of the unregulated LLC series resonant converter. Theoretically, the time of zero diode current in secondary is zero when the working frequency is equal or greater than the resonance frequency, and it is changed as the frequency varies when the working frequency is less than the resonance frequency. The proposed control algorithm is based on the time measurement of zero diode current to realize the resonance frequency tracking. A closed-loop digital controller is designed to realize the proposed tracking approach. The simulation and experiments are conducted to verify the proposed tracking approach. The simulation and experimental results show that (1) the switching frequency can be well controlled to track the resonant frequency, and (2) the tracking accuracy can be at least 96%.