Step-Up DC-DC converters: A comprehensive review of voltage-boosting techniques, topologies, and applications

Mojtaba Forouzesh*, Yam P. Siwakoti, Saman A. Gorji, Frede Blaabjerg, Brad Lehman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

1411 Citations (Scopus)
4272 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

DC-DC converters with voltage boost capability are widely used in a large number of power conversion applications, from fraction-of-volt to tens of thousands of volts at power levels from milliwatts to megawatts. The literature has reported on various voltage-boosting techniques, in which fundamental energy storing elements (inductors and capacitors) and/or transformers in conjunction with switch(es) and diode(s) are utilized in the circuit. These techniques include switched capacitor (charge pump), voltage multiplier, switched inductor/voltage lift, magnetic coupling, and multistage/-level, and each has its own merits and demerits depending on application, in terms of cost, complexity, power density, reliability, and efficiency. To meet the growing demand for such applications, new power converter topologies that use the above voltage-boosting techniques, as well as some active and passive components, are continuously being proposed. The permutations and combinations of the various voltage-boosting techniques with additional components in a circuit allow for numerous new topologies and configurations, which are often confusing and difficult to follow. Therefore, to present a clear picture on the general law and framework of the development of next-generation step-up dc-dc converters, this paper aims to comprehensively review and classify various step-up dc-dc converters based on their characteristics and voltage-boosting techniques. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of these voltage-boosting techniques and associated converters are discussed in detail. Finally, broad applications of dc-dc converters are presented and summarized with comparative study of different voltage-boosting techniques.
Original languageEnglish
Article number7872494
JournalIEEE Transactions on Power Electronics
Volume32
Issue number12
Pages (from-to)9143-9178
Number of pages36
ISSN0885-8993
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2017

Keywords

  • Coupled inductors
  • Multilevel converter
  • Multistage converter
  • Pulse width modulated (PWM) boost converter
  • Switched capacitor (SC)
  • Switched inductor
  • Switched mode step-up DC-DC converter
  • Transformer
  • Voltage lift (VL)
  • Voltage multiplier

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