A Concise Review on Modelling and Performance Characteristics of Multistage Buck Converters for Deep Step-Down Applications

Chandrarupa; Dr. Manjusha Silas

doi:10.26706/ijceae.7.1.20260107

Abstract

The need for high voltage/low current DC-DC converters in the market has created a requirement for the development and use of all new methods of DC-Buck converter operation. Multi-stage Buck Converter designs are being developed to take existing single-stage Buck Converter systems to higher transformation ratios by using multiple stages of conversion in different locations to allow for optimum operating conditions and reduced electrical and thermal stress on power devices. This paper will discuss the operation of Multi-Stage Buck Converters with respect to the modelling capabilities of Multi-Stage Buck Converters, working steady state conditions, current distribution/share, simulation techniques, and performance characteristics including efficiency, ripple reduction, and component stress analysis. Based on information collected via comparing previous studies of Multi-Stage Buck Converters, it has been determined that there are many advantages associated with the use of Multi-Stage Buck Converters such as increased stability, improved ripple performance, and improved component stress management. However, there are some disadvantages associated with Multi-Stage Buck Converters. These include the need for more components, potential for inter-stage resonance, and added complexity associated with control requirements. For Multi-Stage Buck Converters to be operated efficiently and effectively, accurate modelling of components, optimized design of each individual stage, and advanced control strategies must all be developed.

Keywords

Buck converter Cascaded topology Step-down DC–DC conversion Power electronics Efficiency analysis

References

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[1] A. A. Pise, Ultra-Efficient Cascaded Buck-Boost Converter. Orlando, FL, USA: Univ. Central Florida, 2017.

[2] N. Kunstbergs, H. Hinz, N. Schofield, and D. Roll, “Efficiency improvement of a cascaded buck and boost converter for fuel cell hybrid vehicles with overlapping input and output voltages,” Inventions, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 1–17, 2022.

[3] A. Siddique, W. Aslam, M. M. Saeed, U. I. Khalil, and A. A. Khattak, “Design, simulation and implementation of cascaded buck square converter for high voltage step-down applications,” J. Eng. Sci. Technol., vol. 17, no. 5, pp. 1515–1528, Oct. 2022.

[4] H. Suryoatmojo, I. A. Pratama, and Soedibyo, “Non-inverting cascaded bidirectional buck-boost DC–DC converter with average current mode control for Li-ion charger,” JAREE, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 117–127, 2021.

[5] S. Harb, D. N. Nguyen, and R. C. N. Pilawa-Podgurski, “Modular non-inverting buck–boost converter,” Renew. Energy Focus, vol. 46, 2023.

[6] C.-L. Shen, L.-Z. Chen, and T.-Y. Chung, “Cascaded-like high-step-down converter with single switch and leakage energy recycling in single-stage structure,” Electronics, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 1–19, 2022.

[7] G. B. E. Manogaran et al., “Review of voltage-bucking/boosting techniques, topologies, and applications,” Energies, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 1–25, 2023.

[8] G. Kishor, M. H. V. Reddy, and K. Pushpalatha, “Performance investigation of 3Z buck–boost converter for renewable applications,” Int. J. Eng. Technol., vol. 7, no. 3.29, pp. 406–410, 2018.

[9] S. Zhou, P. Xu, and F. C. Lee, “A cascade point-of-load DC–DC converter with a novel phase-shifted switched-capacitor converter output stage,” in Proc. IEEE Appl. Power Electron. Conf. Expo., 2002, pp. 115–121.

[10] S. Md, S. Islam, A. Iqbal, and I. Ashraf, “Cascaded buck–boost derived interlink multi-port converter for simultaneous operation of isolated and non-isolated loads in a DC nanogrid,” in Proc. IEEE PEDES.

[11] M. Forouzesh, Y. P. Siwakoti, S. A. Gorji, and F. Blaabjerg, “High step-down DC–DC converter with single switch and cascaded structure,” IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 33, no. 5, pp. 4467–4481, May 2018.

[12] A. Fardoun and E. H. Ismail, “Cascaded high-conversion-ratio buck converter with improved efficiency,” IET Power Electron., vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 143–151, Jan. 2020.

[13] A. Farhadi and M. Orabi, “Analysis and design of high step-down DC–DC converter with dual-cascade buck structure,” in Proc. IEEE APEC, 2016, pp. 292–298.

[14] V. Yousefzadeh and D. Maksimovic, “Zero-voltage-switching multi-stage step-down switched capacitor converter,” IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 49–55, Jan. 2007.

[15] S. Qin and G. A. Rincon-Mora, “Hybrid cascaded buck–switched capacitor converter for high step-down applications,” IEEE Trans. Circuits Syst. I, vol. 56, no. 11, pp. 2463–2471.

[16] K. Jin and X. Ruan, “A cascaded interleaved buck converter for wide-range step-down conversion,” IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 832–840, Mar. 2008.

[17] J. Sun and J. Zhang, “Small-signal modelling and stability of cascaded multi-stage buck converters,” in Proc. IEEE ECCE, 2014, pp. 514–520.

[18] H. Wu and Y. Xing, “Soft-switching cascaded buck converter for low-voltage DC applications,” IET Power Electron., vol. 6, no. 9, pp. 1823–1831, Nov. 2013.

[19] P. Xu, J. Sun, and F. C. Lee, “A high step-down converter with multi-level voltage gain and cascaded structure,” IEEE Trans. Power Electron., vol. 20, no. 4, pp. 775–782, July 2005.

[20] R. Kumar and S. Singh, “Cascaded buck–boost converter for renewable energy systems: Modelling and performance study,” Renew. Sust. Energy Rev., vol. 149, 2021, Art. no. 111715.