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Article

High-Gain Coupled-Inductor Boost Converters Using Voltage-Doubling and Continuous Input Current Design

College of Computer and Control Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Electronics 2025, 14(13), 2659; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics14132659
Submission received: 6 May 2025 / Revised: 7 June 2025 / Accepted: 9 June 2025 / Published: 30 June 2025

Abstract

This paper proposes a family of high-efficiency DC-DC boost converters employing voltage-doubling coupled-inductor technology with a low component count. By varying the homonymous winding connections of the coupled inductor, three topologies are developed: parallel (PWCDVD-CLBC), series (SWCDVD-CLBC), and flipped-parallel (FPWCDVD-CLBC). These converters achieve high-voltage gain, continuous input current, and low-voltage stress across components. The PWCDVD-CLBC and FPWCDVD-CLBC configurations exhibit voltage gains proportional to the turn ratio, while the SWCDVD-CLBC shows an inverse relation, enabling reduced turn ratios. Detailed operational principles, mathematical analysis, and performance advantages are presented. A comparative evaluation demonstrates a higher voltage gain, realizes continuous input current, and has lower voltage stresses. The experimental results validate the theoretical analysis and confirm the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed designs.

1. Introduction

Wireless charging systems have been extensively applied to electric vehicle batteries due to their contactless nature, safety, and convenience. Various DC/DC converter topologies have been developed to meet the demands of high-voltage gain and improved efficiency in renewable energy and electric vehicle applications [1]. However, conventional boost converters suffer from limited voltage gain and high-voltage stress on switching devices, which restricts their applicability in high step-up scenarios.
To address these limitations, Z-source converters (ZSCs) and Y-source were introduced, offering an impedance network capable of boosting voltage [2,3,4]. However, ZSCs typically suffer from discontinuous input current and limited gain, which has led to the development of quasi-Z-source (QZSC) and enhanced Z-source networks [5,6,7,8]. While these offer better performance, they often involve increased component count and complexity.
By introducing switched-inductor cells to realize four inductors’ parallel charging and serial discharging, the converter [9] largely improves boost ability. By adding switched-impedance networks, an enhanced Z-source structure is presented in [10] to increase boost ability, which results in larger device counts and system losses. Therefore, converters based on coupled-inductor boost technology are presented for a higher voltage gain but utilizing a lesser component count. Magnetically coupled structures have gained attention due to their ability to combine multiple inductors and achieve a higher voltage gain. The Δ-source converter [11] realizes high-voltage gain by utilizing a three-winding magnetically structured, two capacitors, and two diodes. Different from converters [11], Γ-source and flipped Γ-source converters [12,13] have an inversely proportional relation; namely, a low turn ratio can help produce a high boost ability. A Y-source converter with a three-winding coupled-inductor cell is reported in [14], which has more freedom in winding matches.
Figure 1 shows the topologies of the Δ-source, Γ-source, and Y-source converters. The Δ-source, Γ-source, and Y-source converters utilize multi-winding coupled-inductor cells to achieve enhanced performance [11,12,13,14], though many of them still suffer from discontinuous input current and parasitic-induced losses. Subsequently, a three-winding Π-source converter [15] realizes a stronger boost ability, but its voltage gain is heavily affected by the parasitic resistances on passive components and switching devices. Although the converters above enhance the output performance of systems, input currents are discontinuous, which is not beneficial to the input power source, and is sensitive to passive component parasitics.
Through varying the charging and discharging paths of the Z-source converter, quasi-Z-source converters (QZSCs) [5] realize the continuous input current. Subsequently, enhanced QZSCs [6,7,8] are reported to produce a higher voltage gain by introducing multiple parallel charging paths. Next, some high-performance coupled-inductor converters, such as the T-source [16], LCCT-Z-source [17], quasi-Y-source [18], modified-Y-source [19], quasi-Γ-source [20], and switched-coupled-inductor converters [21], are presented to further optimize the topology performance. Figure 2 shows the topologies of the switched-inductor and the quasi-switched-inductor converters. However, these converters use multiple diodes, one individual inductor, one coupled-inductor cell, and two capacitors, which will increase system losses to a great degree. Quasi-switched-boost impedance networks are discussed in references [22,23,24,25,26] and have been proposed to further improve gain and continuity of the input current; however, these approaches often introduce multiple diodes, additional switches, and complex control requirements, thereby increasing overall system loss and design costs. The corresponding comparison is shown in Table 1.
In summary, there remains a need for converter topologies that simultaneously achieve a high-voltage gain, continuous input current, reduced component count, and low-voltage stress. In response, this paper introduces a novel family of voltage-doubling coupled-inductor boost converters with simplified structures and enhanced performance, addressing the limitations found in prior designs. By utilizing different winding homonymous end connections of coupled-inductor cells, three converters are formed and have these performance advantages at the same time. Regarding some differences for the proposed topologies, the voltage gain and turn ratio of the PWCDVD-CLBC and FPWCDVD-CLBC have proportional relations, and yet the SWCDVD-CLBC has inversely proportional relations.

2. Proposed Topologies and Analysis

2.1. Proposed Topologies

Figure 3 provides the topology of the ZSC. It can be seen that the ZSC can realize a boosted performance by the X-source impedance network. When the switch is on, two capacitors charge two inductors. When the switch is off, the two inductors and the input source discharge to loads and capacitors. However, the input source is lower than the capacitor voltage and results in discontinuous input current when the switch is on.
Inspired by the operation principle of the ZSC and combining magnetically boost technology, a family of voltage-double coupled-inductor boost DC/DC converters is proposed in Figure 4. The proposed converters directly utilize the input source to charge the coupled-inductor cell and construct a voltage-double circuit path with diode-winding-capacitor technology. The proposed three converters realize a continuous input current, have a lower component count, and obtain a higher boost ability. Different winding homonymous end connections form different topologies, respectively, called PWCDVD-CLBC in Figure 4a, FPWCDVD-CLBC in Figure 4b, and SWCDVD-CLBC in Figure 4c. The voltage gain and turn ratio of the PWCDVD-CLBC and FPWCDVD-CLBC exhibit a proportional relation, and yet the SWCDVD-CLBC has an inversely proportional relation. Therefore, the proposed three converters must produce different outcomes. (* represents the homonymous end of the coupling inductance).
In this section, the operational status of the three proposed converters will be analyzed individually. Figure 5 shows the theoretical waveforms of the related components in one cycle of the topology in Figure 4, and Figure 5 shows the equivalent circuits when the switch is on or off.

2.1.1. PWCDVD-CLBC

As described in Figure 6a, the input source supplies power for the windings N1, magnetizing inductance LM, and the leakage inductance Lk by diode D1 and switch S1 when the switch is on. Meanwhile, wind N2 charges the capacitor C1 through diode D1. As described in Figure 6b, the input source Vin, the whole coupled-inductor structure, and capacitor C1 supply the power for the loads when switch S1 is off.

2.1.2. FPWCDVD-CLBC

As described in Figure 6c, the input source supplies power for windings N1, magnetizing inductance LM, and leakage inductance Lk by diode D1 and switch S1 when the switch is on. Meanwhile, the whole coupled-inductor structure charges capacitor C1 through diode D1. As described in Figure 6d, the input source Vin, winding N2, and capacitor C1 supply the power for the loads when switch S1 is off. The relevant parameters and symbols are shown in Table 2.

2.1.3. SWCDVD-CLBC

As described in Figure 6e, the input source supplies power for the whole coupled-inductor structure through the diode D1 and switch S1 when the switch is on. Meanwhile, the wind N1 and leakage inductance Lk thus charge capacitor C1 through diode D1. As described in Figure 6f, the input source Vin, winding N2, and capacitor C1 supply the power for the loads when switch S1 is off.
In summary, the proposed converters can achieve continuous input current. Additionally, by forming a voltage-doubling circuit, these topologies can significantly enhance the voltage gain with a low component count.

2.2. Math Derivation and Performance Analysis

The detailed math derivation and performance analysis will be given out as follows. The following definitions are given out. Leakage inductance Lk and magnetizing inductance LM have the following expressions:
g = L M / ( L M + L k )
where Vin is the input voltage, D is the shoot-through duty ratio, n is the turn ratio of the coupling inductance, VC1 is the voltage of capacitor C1, and Vo is the output voltage. VN1S, VN1N, VN2S, VN2N, VLkS, and VLkN are, respectively, the voltages of the windings (N1 and N2) and leakage inductance when the switch is on or off.

2.2.1. PWCDVD-CLBC

When the switch is on, the following theoretical relations can be obtained.
V in V L k S V N 1 S = 0
V N 2 S = n V N 1 S
V C 1 = V N 2 S
When the switch is off, the following theoretical relations can be obtained.
V in V L k N V N 1 N V N 2 N + V C 1 = V o
V N 2 N = n V N 1 N = n g V L k N / ( 1 g )
V D 1 = V C 1 V N 2 N
Therefore, the output voltage is provided as follows.
V o = ( n g + 1 ) V i n ( 1 D )
When g = 1, the voltage gain and voltage stresses of diode D1 and capacitor C1 are provided as follows.
G = n + 1 1 D V C 1 = n V in V D 1 = n V in 1 D

2.2.2. FPWCDVD-CLBC

When the switch is on, the following theoretical relations can be obtained.
V in V N 1 S V L k S = 0
V N 2 S = n V N 1 S
V C 1 = V N 2 S V N 1 S V L k S
When the switch is off, the following theoretical relations can be obtained.
V in + V C 1 V N 2 N = V o
V N 2 N = n V N 1 N = n V L k S g / ( 1 g )
Therefore, the output voltage is provided as follows.
V o = D n g 2 + ( 1 D ) ( n g + g 1 ) ( 1 D ) g V in
When g = 1, the voltage gain and voltage stresses of diode D1 and capacitor C1 are provided as follows.
G = n 1 D V C 1 = ( n 1 ) V in V D 1 = ( n 1 ) V in 1 D

2.2.3. SWCDVC-CLBC

When the switch is on, the following theoretical relations can be obtained.
V in V N 2 S + V N 1 S + V L k S = 0
V N 2 S = n V N 1 S
V C 1 = V N 1 S
When the switch is off, the following theoretical relations can be obtained.
V in + V C 1 V N 2 N V L kN = V o
V N 2 N = n V N 1 N = n V L k N g / ( 1 g )
V D 1 = V C 1 V N 1 N
Therefore, the output voltage is given out.
V o = V in n ( 1 D + D g ) ( 1 2 g + n ) ( 1 D )
When g = 1, the voltage gain and voltage stresses of diode D1 and capacitor C1 are provided as follows.
G = n ( n 1 ) ( 1 D ) V C 1 = V in n 1 V D 1 = V in ( n 1 ) ( 1 D )
Figure 7a,b illustrates the voltage gain curves that consider various coupling coefficients and turn ratios for the proposed three topologies. As described in Figure 7a,b, the voltage gain can be regulated by varying the switch-duty ratio, and it rises as the coupling coefficient rises. Voltage gains of the PWCDVD-CLBC and FPWCDVD-CLBC are directly proportional to the turn ratio, yet the SWCDVD-CLBC is inversely proportional to the turn ratio. Figure 7c,d, respectively, describes the normalized voltage stresses of capacitor C1 and diode D1 under various turn ratios for the proposed three converters. As described in Figure 7c,d, the normalized voltage stresses of capacitor C1 and diode D1 of the PWCDVD-CLBC and FPWCDVD-CLBC have a proportional relation with the turn ratio, and then the normalized voltage stresses of capacitor C1 and diode D1 of the SWCDVD-CLBC have an inversely proportional relation with the turn ratio.

2.3. Parameter Design and Performance Comparison

The following part shows the design of the coupled-inductor cell and capacitors for the proposed three topologies. Inductor values of primary and secondary winding are typically designed based on the principle that input power equals output power.
P in = V in i ¯ in = G V in i ¯ out = P out
where iin is the average input current, the equation for primary and secondary windings, input voltage, shoot-through duty ratio, and switch frequency is given. iout is the average output current; this is the equation for voltage gain and loads.
The voltage fluctuation of the capacitors is mainly caused by the charging and discharging currents.
C d V d t = i
where C is the capacitor value, i is the current across the capacitor C, and dV is the voltage fluctuation of the capacitor in this interval dt.
The coupled-inductor cell and capacitors of the proposed three topologies can be designed separately, as follows.

2.3.1. PWCDVD-CLBC

According to the operation states in Figure 6a,b, iin and iout are provided as follows.
i ¯ in = V in D T s ( 1 D + n D ) 2 n L N 1 i ¯ o = V in ( 1 + n ) ( 1 D ) R
where R is the load, and Ts is the switch cycle. Therefore, the inductor values of the primary and secondary windings are provided as follows.
L N 1 = D ( 1 D ) 2 ( 1 D + n D ) R T s 2 ( 1 + n ) 2 n
L N 2 = n D ( 1 D ) 2 ( 1 D + n D ) R T s 2 ( 1 + n ) 2
The capacitor C1 is designed according to Equation (30).
V in D 2 T s 2 n L N 1 Δ V C 1 C 1
where C1 is the value of capacitor C1, and Δ v C 1 is the permitted voltage ripple of capacitors C1.

2.3.2. FPWCDVD-CLBC

According to the operation states in Figure 6c,d, i ¯ in and i ¯ out are provided as follows.
i ¯ in = V in D 2 T s 2 L N 1 i ¯ o = n V in ( 1 D ) R
Therefore, the inductor values of the primary and secondary windings are provided as follows.
L N 1 = D 2 T s ( 1 D ) 2 R 2 n 2
L N 2 = D 2 T s ( 1 D ) 2 R 2
The capacitor C1 is designed according to the Equation (34).
V in D 2 T s 2 n L N 1 Δ V C 1 C 1

2.3.3. SWCDVD-CLBC

According to the operation states in Figure 6e,f, i ¯ in and i ¯ out are provided as follows.
i ¯ in = V in D T s ( n 1 + D ) 2 ( n 1 ) n 2 L N 1 i ¯ o = n V in ( n 1 ) ( 1 D ) R
Therefore, the inductor values of the primary and secondary windings are provided as follows.
L N 1 = D T s ( n 1 + D ) ( n 1 ) ( 1 D ) 2 R 2 n 4
L N 1 = D T s ( n 1 + D ) ( n 1 ) ( 1 D ) 2 R 2 n 2
The capacitor C1 is designed according to the Equation (38).
V in D 2 T s 2 ( n 1 ) L N 1 Δ V C 1 C 1

2.4. Comparative Analysis

A comparative analysis was performed among the Δ-source [11], modified-Y-source [19], high-gain quasi-switched [24], and the proposed three converters. The voltage gain, maximum capacitor voltage, maximum diode voltage, shoot-through peak current, component count, and input current state of the converters above are listed in Table 3.
The proposed converters use a lower component count than other converters [11,19,24]. As we can see, their input currents are continuous. In addition, the proposed impedance structure can achieve a high boost effect with a small switch-duty ratio. The specific parameters for comparison are shown below.
The input current of the converter [11] is discontinuous. Still, the converter [19] is continuous, and the converter [24] and the proposed converters are also continuous. The proposed topologies utilize the fewest components while maintaining continuous input current, which is in contrast to other converters [11,19,24].
Parameter comparisons among the converters [11,19,24] and the proposed converters are made. The comparison of voltage gain is shown in Figure 8a. Figure 8a demonstrates that the proposed three converters achieve a higher voltage gain. Voltage gains of the proposed PWCDVD-CLBC and FPWCDVD-CLBC have a positively proportional relationship with the turn ratio, yet the proposed SWCDVD-CLBC has an inversely proportional relationship.
Figure 8b provides comparative curves of normalized capacitor voltage stress. The proposed three converters have the lowest voltage stress across capacitors when the turn ratio is 2, compared to other converters [11,19,24]. When the turn ratio is 1.2, the capacitor voltage of the proposed SWCDVD-CLBC is lower than the converters [24] and higher than converters [11,19]. However, as the voltage gain gradually increases, when the voltage gain reaches 7, we can see that the SWCDVD-CLBC is lower than converters [19,24].
Figure 8c illustrates the comparative curves of the normalized diode voltage. It is clear that the diode voltage stresses for the proposed converters are lower than those of converters [11,19,24]. The comparison of normalized shoot-through current is shown in Figure 8d. The proposed impedance networks have a lower shoot-through current than those of the impedance networks [11,19,24].
Based on the above comparison, the three proposed impedance networks can achieve a higher voltage gain with fewer components while exhibiting lower voltage stress in a smaller range through the switch-duty ratio, thereby reducing energy loss.

2.5. Voltage Gain Analysis

2.5.1. PWCDVD-CLBC

The influence of inductance resistance on the voltage gain of the PWCDVD-CLBC is analyzed as follows in Figure 9. RN1 and RN2 represent the conduction resistances of the windings (N1 and N2, * represents the homonymous end of the coupling inductance).
From the above circuit diagram analysis, we have:
V i n i ¯ i n R N 1 V N 1 S = 0 V N 2 S = n V N 1 S V C 1 + i ¯ i n R N 2 V N 2 S = 0
V i n i ¯ i n R N 1 + R N 2 + V C 1 V N 1 N V N 2 N = V O V N 2 N = n V N 1 N
Due to the existence of inductance resistance, there is a voltage drop in the actual value of VN1. At the same time, there is also a voltage drop between VN2 and VC1 due to electromagnetic induction. Therefore, from this, we obtain the following image in Figure 10.

2.5.2. FPWCDVD-CLBC

The influence of inductance resistance on the voltage gain of the FPWCDVD-CLBC is analyzed as follows in Figure 11. RN1 and RN2 represent the conduction resistances of the windings (N1 and N2, * represents the homonymous end of the coupling inductance).
From the above circuit diagram analysis, we have:
V i n i ¯ i n R N 1 V N 1 S = 0 V N 2 S = n V N 1 S V C 1 = V N 2 S i ¯ i n R N 1 + R N 2 V N 1 S
V in + V C 1 V N 2 N i ¯ i n R N 2 = V o V N 2 N = n V N 1 N
Due to the existence of inductance resistance, when the switch is on, because of the inductive impedance on N1, the current of N1 decreases. The induced electromotive force of N2 is generated due to electromagnetic induction. At the same time, the energy stored in C1 is reduced due to the impedance of N2, resulting in a decrease in voltage gain. The simulation is shown in Figure 12.

2.5.3. SWCDVD-CLBC

The influence of inductance resistance on the voltage gain of the SWCDVD-CLBC is analyzed as follows in Figure 13. RN1 and RN2 represent the conduction resistances of the windings (N1 and N2, * represents the homonymous end of the coupling inductance).
From the above circuit diagram analysis, we have:
V in V N 2 S + V N 1 S i N 1 R N 1 i N 2 R N 2 = 0 V N 2 S = n V N 1 S V C 1 = V N 1 S i N 1 R N 1
V in + V C 1 V N 2 N i N 2 R N 2 = V o V N 2 N = n V N 1 N
When the switch is on, due to the existence of inductance resistance, the inductive impedance on LN1 and LN2 will consume some energy, resulting in a voltage drop. At the same time, when the switch is off—because the inductance impedance on N2 causes the current to drop—the stored energy of the C1 capacitor will drop, and then the voltage gain will drop. The simulation is shown in Figure 14.

2.6. Efficiency Calculation

Loss models for the proposed three converters are, respectively, described in Figure 15. The relevant efficiency calculation is given as follows. RN1, RN2, and RC1 represent the conduction resistances of the windings (N1 and N2) and capacitor C1. VSD represents the conduction voltage drop of diode D1 and switch S1.

2.6.1. PWCDVD-CLBC

The losses of the capacitor C1, switch S1, diode D1, and coupled-inductor cell are provided as follows.
P C - l o s s = I C 1 2 R C 1 = V in 2 D 2 T s 2 [ 1 ( n + 1 ) D ] 2 R C 1 n 2 L N 1 2    
P S - l o s s = I S V S D = D 2 T s V in V S D 2 L N 1
P D - l o s s = I D 1   V S D = V in D T s ( 1 D + n D ) V S D 2 n L N 1  
P C L - l o s s = I N 1 2 R N 1 + I N 2   2 R N 2 = V in 2 D 2 T s 2 [ ( 1 D + n D ) 2 R N 1 + 4 ( 1 n D D ) 2 R N 2 ] 4 n 2 L N 1 2
Therefore, efficiency is provided as follows.
η = P in P C - l o s s P S - l o s s P D - l o s s P C L - l o s s P in
where Pin is input power, calculated as follows.
P in = V in 2 D T s ( 1 D + n D ) 2 n L N 1

2.6.2. FPWCDVD-CLBC

The losses of the capacitor C1, switch S1, diode D1, and coupled-inductor cell are provided as follows.
P C - l o s s = I C 1 2 R C 1 = V in 2 D 4 T s 2 R C 1 L N 1 2    
P S l o s s = I S V S D = V in D 2 T s V S D 2 L N 1
P D - l o s s = I D 1   V S D = V in D 2 T s V S D 2 L N 1  
P C L - l o s s = I N 1 2 R N 1 + I N 2   2 R N 2 = V in 2 D 4 T s 2 ( R N 1 + 4 R N 2 ) 4 L N 1 2
Therefore, efficiency is provided as follows.
η = P in P C - l o s s P S - l o s s P D - l o s s P C L - l o s s P in
where Pin is input power, calculated as follows.
P in = V in 2 D 2 T s 2 L N 1

2.6.3. SWCDVD-CLBC

The losses of the capacitor C1, switch S1, diode D1, and coupled-inductor cell are provided as follows.
P C - l o s s = I C 1 2 R C 1 = V in 2 D 2 T s 2 ( n 1 ) 2 ( 1 D ) 2 R C 1 ( n 1 ) 2 n 4 L N 1 2    
P S - l o s s = I S V S D = D 2 T s V in V S D 2 ( n 1 ) L N 1
P D - l o s s = I D 1   V S D = V in D T s ( n 1 + D ) V S D 2 ( n 1 ) n 2 L N 1  
P C L - l o s s = I N 1 2 R N 1 + I N 2   2 R N 2 = V in 2 D 2 T s 2 ( n 1 + D ) 2 ( R N 1 + R N 2 ) 4 ( n 1 ) n 4 L N 1 2
Therefore, efficiency is provided as follows.
η = P in P C - l o s s P S - l o s s P D - l o s s P C L - l o s s P in
where Pin is input power, calculated as follows.
P in = V in 2 D T s ( n 1 + D ) 2 ( n 1 ) n 2 L N 1

3. Results

The hardware structure of the proposed three converters is established and displayed in Figure 16, and their detailed device specifications are given in Table 4.
Figure 17 displays the experimental waveforms of the proposed PWCDVD-CLBC. Figure 17a shows the experimental waveforms of the voltages of the capacitors (Co and C1). The experimental values of the parameters mentioned above are approximately 292 V and 156 V. Figure 17b describes the experimental waveforms of the windings (N1 and N2), and these waveforms are consistent with the theoretical operational status shown in Figure 6a,b. As described in Figure 17b, the current ranges of windings (N1 and N2), respectively, vary from 1 A to 13 A and −5 A to 2 A. Figure 17c shows the experimental waveforms of the voltages of the diodes (Do and D1), whose experimental peak values are about 291 V and 196 V. Figure 17d–f shows the theoretical waveforms.
Figure 18 displays the experimental waveforms of the proposed SWCDVD-CLBC. Figure 18a shows the experimental waveforms of the voltages of the capacitors (Co and C1), whose experimental values are about 195 V and 77 V. Figure 18b shows the experimental waveforms of the windings (N1 and N2); the waveforms align with the theoretical operational status shown in Figure 6c,d. Its current ranges of windings (N1 and N2), respectively, vary from 0 A to 18 A and 1.5 to 12 A. Figure 18c shows the experimental waveforms of the voltages of the diodes (Do and D1), whose experimental peak values are about 194 V and 97 V. Figure 18d–f shows the theoretical waveforms.
Figure 19 displays the experimental waveforms of the proposed FPWCDVD-CLBC. Figure 19a shows the experimental waveforms of the voltages of the capacitors (Co and C1), whose experimental values are about 196 V and 78 V. Figure 19b provides the experimental waveforms of the windings (N1 and N2), and these waveforms are consistent with the theoretical operational status shown in Figure 6e,f. Its current ranges of windings (N1 and N2), respectively, vary from 0 A to 17 A and −2 to 7 A. Figure 19c shows the experimental waveforms of the voltages of the diodes (Do and D1), whose experimental peak values are about 195 V and 98 V. Figure 19d–f shows the theoretical waveforms.
In summary, the experimental results are very close to the theoretical values and confirm the performance and feasibility of the proposed topologies.
An efficiency test for the proposed three converters was conducted, whose turn ratios are 2 and 1.5. The corresponding power range is between 50 W and 350 W. Figure 20 shows the efficiency curves of theoretical efficiency and experimental efficiency. In Figure 20, the experimental efficiency value is slightly higher and close to the theoretical efficiency value. All proposed converters can obtain a higher efficiency since their topologies utilize a lower component count. The magnetizing inductance LM and leakage inductance Lk are crucial to energy transfer in the coupled-inductor cells. If the core saturates, the inductance values will drop significantly, and the inductor cannot store or transfer the expected energy, which results in a reduced voltage gain and lower output voltage than designed. The paper’s efficiency calculations (Equations (49), (55) and (61)) assume linear inductance behavior. Once core saturation sets in, effective inductance drops. The current increases to maintain power, causing higher conduction and switching losses.

4. Discussion

By moving the switch device of the proposed converters forward and keeping the original charging and discharging path invariant, the topology extension of the proposed three converters is shown in Figure 21, which lowers the switch voltage stresses to a large degree and maintains the same voltage gain. The generalized structure variation is described in Figure 22. (* represents the homonymous end of the coupling inductance).

5. Conclusions

This paper proposes a family of voltage-doubling coupled-inductor boost converters—PWCDVD-CLBC, FPWCDVD-CLBC, and SWCDVD-CLBC—where the voltage gains and turn ratios for the PWCDVD-CLBC and FPWCDVD-CLBC have proportional relations, and the SWCDVD-CLBC has an inversely proportional relation, which was designed for high-voltage gains, continuous input current, and a reduced component count. By exploiting different winding configurations, the proposed topologies demonstrate superior performance in terms of efficiency, voltage stress, and shoot-through current, as validated through theoretical analyses, simulations, and experimental results. The practical implications are significant for applications requiring compact and efficient DC/DC conversion, such as renewable energy systems and electric vehicle charging infrastructures. Also, different topologies have varying efficiencies under different output power ranges when the turn ratio is adjusted. Finally, the experimental results of the proposed converters verify the correctness of the theoretical analysis.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, Y.J. and S.J.; methodology, Y.L.; software, Y.J.; validation, Y.J., S.J., and Y.L.; formal analysis, Y.J., S.J., and Y.L.; writing—original draft preparation, Y.J.; writing—review and editing, Y.J. and S.J.; funding acquisition, Y.L. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under grant 62301138, the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities under grant 2572024BR47, and the Heilongjiang Province Postdoctoral general program under grant LBH-Z24039.

Data Availability Statement

The original contributions presented in this study are included in the article. Further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Figure 1. Δ-source, Γ-source, and Y-source converters. (* represents the homonymous end of the coupling inductance).
Figure 1. Δ-source, Γ-source, and Y-source converters. (* represents the homonymous end of the coupling inductance).
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Figure 2. Switched-inductor converter and quasi-switched-inductor converter.
Figure 2. Switched-inductor converter and quasi-switched-inductor converter.
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Figure 3. Z-source converter.
Figure 3. Z-source converter.
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Figure 4. Proposed converters: (a) PWCDVD-CLBC, (b) FPWCDVD-CLBC, and (c) SWCDVD-CLBC.
Figure 4. Proposed converters: (a) PWCDVD-CLBC, (b) FPWCDVD-CLBC, and (c) SWCDVD-CLBC.
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Figure 5. Theoretical waveforms: (a) PWCDVD-CLBC, (b) FPWCDVD-CLBC, and (c) SWCDVD-CLBC. (Vgs is the switch pulse trigger signal, VN1/IN1 is the primary side of the coupling inductance voltage/current, VN2/IN2 is the secondary side of the coupling inductance voltage/current, VD1/ID1 is the diode voltage/current, and VDo/IDo is the diode voltage/current.).
Figure 5. Theoretical waveforms: (a) PWCDVD-CLBC, (b) FPWCDVD-CLBC, and (c) SWCDVD-CLBC. (Vgs is the switch pulse trigger signal, VN1/IN1 is the primary side of the coupling inductance voltage/current, VN2/IN2 is the secondary side of the coupling inductance voltage/current, VD1/ID1 is the diode voltage/current, and VDo/IDo is the diode voltage/current.).
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Figure 6. Equivalent circuits of different operation states: (a,c,e) switch is on and (b,d,f) switch is off. (* represents the homonymous end of the coupling inductance).
Figure 6. Equivalent circuits of different operation states: (a,c,e) switch is on and (b,d,f) switch is off. (* represents the homonymous end of the coupling inductance).
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Figure 7. Performance analysis: (a) voltage gain with various coupling coefficients, (b) voltage gain with various turn ratios, (c) diode voltage, and (d) capacitor voltage.
Figure 7. Performance analysis: (a) voltage gain with various coupling coefficients, (b) voltage gain with various turn ratios, (c) diode voltage, and (d) capacitor voltage.
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Figure 8. Comparative curves of boost ability, device voltages, and current: (a) voltage gain, (b) capacitors, (c) diode voltage, and (d) shoot-through currents [11,19,24].
Figure 8. Comparative curves of boost ability, device voltages, and current: (a) voltage gain, (b) capacitors, (c) diode voltage, and (d) shoot-through currents [11,19,24].
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Figure 9. Simplified analysis of PWCDVD-CLBC inductance resistance.
Figure 9. Simplified analysis of PWCDVD-CLBC inductance resistance.
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Figure 10. Influence of inductance resistance on PWCDVD-CLBC voltage gain.
Figure 10. Influence of inductance resistance on PWCDVD-CLBC voltage gain.
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Figure 11. Simplified analysis of FPWCDVD-CLBC inductance resistance.
Figure 11. Simplified analysis of FPWCDVD-CLBC inductance resistance.
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Figure 12. Influence of inductance resistance on FPWCDVD-CLBC voltage gain.
Figure 12. Influence of inductance resistance on FPWCDVD-CLBC voltage gain.
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Figure 13. Simplified analysis of SWCDVD-CLBC inductance resistance.
Figure 13. Simplified analysis of SWCDVD-CLBC inductance resistance.
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Figure 14. Influence of inductance resistance on SWCDVD-CLBC voltage gain.
Figure 14. Influence of inductance resistance on SWCDVD-CLBC voltage gain.
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Figure 15. Loss models for proposed converters: (a,b) PWCDVD-CLBC, (c,d) FPWCDVD-CLBC, and (e,f) SWCDVD-CLBC. (* represents the homonymous end of the coupling inductance).
Figure 15. Loss models for proposed converters: (a,b) PWCDVD-CLBC, (c,d) FPWCDVD-CLBC, and (e,f) SWCDVD-CLBC. (* represents the homonymous end of the coupling inductance).
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Figure 16. Experiment prototype.
Figure 16. Experiment prototype.
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Figure 17. The experimental results of the proposed PWCDVD-CLBC’s (a) voltages of capacitors (C1 and Co), (b) currents of windings (N1 and N2), and (c) voltages of diodes (D1 and Do). The theoretical results of the proposed PWCDVD-CLBC’s (d) voltages of capacitors (C1 and Co), (e) currents of windings (N1 and N2), and (f) voltages of diodes (D1 and Do).
Figure 17. The experimental results of the proposed PWCDVD-CLBC’s (a) voltages of capacitors (C1 and Co), (b) currents of windings (N1 and N2), and (c) voltages of diodes (D1 and Do). The theoretical results of the proposed PWCDVD-CLBC’s (d) voltages of capacitors (C1 and Co), (e) currents of windings (N1 and N2), and (f) voltages of diodes (D1 and Do).
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Figure 18. The experimental results of the proposed SWCDVD-CLBC’s (a) voltages of capacitors (C1 and Co), (b) currents of windings (N1 and N2), and (c) voltages of diodes (D1 and Do). The theoretical results of the proposed PWCDVD-CLBC’s (d) voltages of capacitors (C1 and Co), (e) currents of windings (N1 and N2), and (f) voltages of diodes (D1 and Do).
Figure 18. The experimental results of the proposed SWCDVD-CLBC’s (a) voltages of capacitors (C1 and Co), (b) currents of windings (N1 and N2), and (c) voltages of diodes (D1 and Do). The theoretical results of the proposed PWCDVD-CLBC’s (d) voltages of capacitors (C1 and Co), (e) currents of windings (N1 and N2), and (f) voltages of diodes (D1 and Do).
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Figure 19. The experimental results of the proposed FPWCDVD-CLBC’s (a) voltages of capacitors (C1 and Co), (b) currents of windings (N1 and N2), and (c) voltages of diodes (D1 and Do) The theoretical results of the proposed PWCDVD-CLBC’s (d) voltages of capacitors (C1 and Co), (e) currents of windings (N1 and N2), and (f) voltages of diodes (D1 and Do).
Figure 19. The experimental results of the proposed FPWCDVD-CLBC’s (a) voltages of capacitors (C1 and Co), (b) currents of windings (N1 and N2), and (c) voltages of diodes (D1 and Do) The theoretical results of the proposed PWCDVD-CLBC’s (d) voltages of capacitors (C1 and Co), (e) currents of windings (N1 and N2), and (f) voltages of diodes (D1 and Do).
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Figure 20. Efficiency (a) n = 2 and (b) n = 1.5.
Figure 20. Efficiency (a) n = 2 and (b) n = 1.5.
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Figure 21. Topology extension: (a) PWCDVD-CLBC, (b) SWCDVD-CLBC, and (c) FPWCDVD-CLBC.
Figure 21. Topology extension: (a) PWCDVD-CLBC, (b) SWCDVD-CLBC, and (c) FPWCDVD-CLBC.
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Figure 22. Generalized structure variation.
Figure 22. Generalized structure variation.
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Table 1. Comparison table of converters.
Table 1. Comparison table of converters.
TopologyGComponent CountInput Current
Z-source converter 1 1 2 D 4Discontinuous
Quasi-switched boost converter 1 1 3 D 11Continuous
Modified-Y-source network 1 + K D 1 D 12Continuous
Δ-Source network 1 1 K D 9Discontinuous
Y-source impedance network 1 1 K Y D 8Discontinuous
Extended Z-source 1 + K D 1 1 + n T Z D 10Discontinuous
Π-source impedance network 1 1 K Π D 7Discontinuous
extended boost trans-Z-source inverter 1 ( 1 2 D ) ( 1 D ) 2 9Continuous
Switched-inductor-Z-source 1 + D 1 3 D 13Continuous
L-Z-source inverter 1 + D 1 D 5Continuous
Trans-switched boost inverters 1 + n S D 1 2 + n S D 6Discontinuous
Quasi-Y-source inverter 1 1 δ D 7Continuous
LCCT Z-source m + 1 2 2 1 + n 2 n 3 D 8Continuous
Improved trans-Z-source inverter 1 1 2 + n D 6Continuous
Three-winding switched-coupled inductor (PSCL) 1 + n 1 n 1 1 1 + 1 + n 1 + n 2 n 1 D 9Continuous
Table 2. Parameters and symbols.
Table 2. Parameters and symbols.
SymbolDescriptionUnit
VinInput voltageV
CoOutput capacitor voltageV
D1Diode-
LKLeakage inductanceH
LMMagnetizing inductanceH
C1Intermediate capacitorF
RLoad resistanceΩ
N1/2Primary/secondary edge-
S1Switch-
Table 3. Parameter comparisons.
Table 3. Parameter comparisons.
ParametersΔ-Source Network [11]Modified-Y-Source Network [19]Quasi-Switched Network [24]PWCDVD-CLBCFPWCDVD-CLBCSWCDVD-CLBC
G 1 1 K D 1 + K D 1 D 1 1 3 D n + 1 1 D n 1 D n n 1 1 D
VC-max 1 D V in 1 K D 1 + K D D V in 1 D V in 1 3 D n V in n 1 V in V in n 1
VD-max K 1 V in 1 K D K + G V in 1 + K V in 1 3 D n V in 1 D n 1 V in 1 D V in n 1 1 D
Shoot-through peak current 1 D K D T s V in 1 K D L m 2 K G K + 1 D T s V in N 3 N 2 1 L N 2 3 3 D D T s V in 1 3 D L 1 D T s V in L N 1 D T s V in L N 1 D T s V in n 1 L N 1
Component
count
91211555
Input currentDiscontinuousContinuousContinuousContinuousContinuousContinuous
CostMediumHighMediumLowLowLow
Table 4. Experiment device’s specifications.
Table 4. Experiment device’s specifications.
ParameterDescriptionExperiment/Value
Input VoltageVin80 V
Output VoltageVo300 V, 200 V, 200 V
Switch frequencyf50 kHZ
Duty ratioD0.2
Output powerP300 W
CapacitorC1240 uF
CapacitorCo440 uF
Magnetic core material/PC40
Maximum magnetic flux densityBs0.4 T
Hysteresis loss coefficientCh1 × 10−7/mT
Effective permeabilityμe2400 ± 20%
Turn ration16:8
DiodeD1SF1005G (10 A/300 V)
DiodeDoMUR1070 (1.5 A/700 V)
SwitchS1IPW65R019C7
MOSFET driver/HCPL3120
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Ji, Y.; Ji, S.; Liu, Y. High-Gain Coupled-Inductor Boost Converters Using Voltage-Doubling and Continuous Input Current Design. Electronics 2025, 14, 2659. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics14132659

AMA Style

Ji Y, Ji S, Liu Y. High-Gain Coupled-Inductor Boost Converters Using Voltage-Doubling and Continuous Input Current Design. Electronics. 2025; 14(13):2659. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics14132659

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ji, Yuliang, Shuai Ji, and Yiqi Liu. 2025. "High-Gain Coupled-Inductor Boost Converters Using Voltage-Doubling and Continuous Input Current Design" Electronics 14, no. 13: 2659. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics14132659

APA Style

Ji, Y., Ji, S., & Liu, Y. (2025). High-Gain Coupled-Inductor Boost Converters Using Voltage-Doubling and Continuous Input Current Design. Electronics, 14(13), 2659. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics14132659

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