A Modular Boost Converter with Low Switch Stress and High Conversion Ratio for Automotive Applications

A non-isolated dc-dc converter with high voltage gain and reduced switch stress particularly suited for piezoelectric actuators, is proposed. The converter exploits a hybrid boost and switched-capacitor technique to provide a high voltage gain without extreme duty cycles. Hence, low voltage switches can be used to reduce cost, switch conduction, and turn-on losses. Both the topology and the behavior of the converter are similar to the traditional boost converter, hence the control strategy can be accomplished easily. Furthermore, this converter always operates in the continuous conduction mode (CCM), leading to an easy control policy at light loads as well. Finally, thanks to its modular structure, the basic cells can be connected in series to reach very large transfer gain, or to different input voltages to be used as a multiple input converter. Simulation and experimental results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed topology.