DC-DC Converters for Transportation Electrification: Topologies, Control, and Future Challenges

DC-DC CONVERTERS ARE SOLID-STATE DC "transformers" that convert one type of dc electricity into another via power electronic circuits. They have been used in a broad range of applications, from IT devices (such as a power supply to provide different dc voltage levels inside a personal computer or a data center server) to medical equipment (e.g., a solar charger for a cardiac pacemaker) and from consumer electronics (e.g., chargers for various smart mobile devices) to high-power industrial applications, which is the focused area of this article. As there has been exponential growth in transportation electrification since the beginning of the 21st century, dc-dc converters have become one of the core devices in electric and autonomous vehicles. Extensive research and development efforts have been made on the design and implementation of dc-dc converters, aiming at higher power density, higher efficiency, and more reduction in cost. In this article, various dc-dc converter topologies and control methodologies for transportation electrification are reviewed. The challenges and future development trends for creating the next-generation dc-dc power converters are also discussed.