Cost-Effective Piggyback Forward dc-dc Converter

The novel piggyback dc-dc converter as a cost-effective solution is presented in this work. It provides a wide input voltage range of regulation with a low component count. The novel solution is an advanced forward dc-dc converter with an additional clamp output capacitor. The idea of such a type of converter is to transfer magnetizing energy of transformer to the output side, instead of using input clamp circuit. The design guidelines of the passive component of the proposed solution are discussed. A digital domain proportional integral controller is designed for the off-grid system validation, and it provides a stable output voltage in a wide range of the input voltage and power. Experimental prototype of the proposed piggyback converter along with experimental results of critical points are presented. The efficiency study of the proposed solution is done.