Chapter 20

Quasi-Resonant Converters

Introduction
20.1 The zero-current-switching quasi-resonant switch cell
20.1.1 Waveforms of the half-wave ZCS quasi-resonant switch cell
20.1.2 The average terminal waveforms
20.1.3 The full-wave ZCS quasi-resonant switch cell
20.2 Resonant switch topologies
20.2.1 The zero-voltage-switching quasi-resonant switch
20.2.2 The zero-voltage-switching multiresonant switch
20.2.3 Quasi-square-wave resonant switches
20.3 Ac modeling of quasi-resonant converters
20.4 Summary of key points

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 1 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 The resonant switch concept

A quite general idea:

1. PWM switch network is replaced by a resonant switch network
2. This leads to a quasi-resonant version of the original PWM converter

Example: realization of the switch cell in the buck converter

L PWM switch cell

i1(t) i2(t) i(t) i1(t) i2(t)
+ + + + +
Switch
vg(t) + v1(t) cell v2(t) C R v(t) v1(t) v2(t)
–

– – – – –

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 2 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Two quasi-resonant switch cells

D1
Lr D1 Q1 Lr
i1(t) i2r(t) i2(t) i1(t) i2r(t) i2(t)
+ + + + + +
Q1
v1(t) v1r(t) D2 Cr v2(t) v1(t) v1r(t) D2 Cr v2(t)

– – – – – –
Switch network Switch network

Half-wave ZCS quasi-resonant switch cell Full-wave ZCS quasi-resonant switch cell

Insert either of the above switch

i1(t) i2(t) L
cells into the buck converter, to i(t)
obtain a ZCS quasi-resonant + + +
version of the buck converter. Lr Switch
vg(t) + v1(t) cell v2(t) C R v(t)
and Cr are small in value, and –
their resonant frequency f0 is
– – –
greater than the switching
frequency fs.
1 ω0
f0 = =
2π L rC r 2π
Fundamentals of Power Electronics 3 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters
 20.1 The zero-current-switching
quasi-resonant switch cell

Lr D1 Q1
Tank inductor Lr in series with transistor: i1(t) i2r(t) i2(t)
+ + +
transistor switches at zero crossings of inductor
current waveform
v1(t) v1r(t) D2 Cr v2(t)
Tank capacitor Cr in parallel with diode D2 : diode
switches at zero crossings of capacitor voltage – – –
waveform Switch network
Half-wave ZCS quasi-resonant switch cell
Two-quadrant switch is required:
Half-wave: Q1 and D1 in series, transistor
D1
turns off at first zero crossing of current Lr
i1(t) i2r(t) i2(t)
waveform + + +
Full-wave: Q1 and D1 in parallel, transistor Q1
turns off at second zero crossing of current v1(t) v1r(t) D2 Cr v2(t)

waveform
– – –
Performances of half-wave and full-wave cells Switch network
differ significantly. Full-wave ZCS quasi-resonant switch cell

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 4 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Averaged switch modeling of ZCS cells

It is assumed that the converter filter elements are large, such that their
switching ripples are small. Hence, we can make the small ripple
approximation as usual, for these elements:
i 2(t) ≈ i 2(t) Ts

v1(t) ≈ v1(t) Ts

In steady state, we can further approximate these quantities by their dc

values:
i 2(t) ≈ I 2
v1(t) ≈ V1
Modeling objective: find the average values of the terminal waveforms
〈 v2(t) 〉Ts and 〈 i1(t) 〉Ts

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 5 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 The switch conversion ratio µ

Lr D1 Q1
A generalization of the duty cycle i1(t) i2r(t)
d(t) + +

The switch conversion ratio µ is 〈 v1(t)〉Ts +

–
v1r(t) D2 v2(t) Cr 〈 i2(t)〉Ts
the ratio of the average terminal
voltages of the switch network. It – –
Switch network
can be applied to non-PWM switch
Half-wave ZCS quasi-resonant switch cell
networks. For the CCM PWM
case, µ = d.
If V/Vg = M(d) for a PWM CCM i 2(t) ≈ i 2(t) v2(t) i 1(t)
µ=
Ts Ts Ts
converter, then V/Vg = M(µ) for the =
v1(t) ≈ v1(t) v1r(t) i 2r(t)
same converter with a switch Ts Ts Ts

network having conversion ratio µ.

In steady state:
Generalized switch averaging, and
µ, are defined and discussed in i 2(t) ≈ I 2 V2 I 1
µ= =
Section 10.3. v1(t) ≈ V1 V1 I 2

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 6 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 20.1.1 Waveforms of the half-wave ZCS
quasi-resonant switch cell

The half-wave ZCS quasi-resonant switch Waveforms:

cell, driven by the terminal quantities
〈 v1(t)〉 Ts and 〈 i2(t)〉 Ts. i1(t)

I2
Lr D1 Q1 V1
i1(t) i2r(t)
Lr
+ +
Subinterval: 1 2 3 4 θ = ω0t

〈 v1(t)〉Ts + v1r(t) D2 v2(t) Cr 〈 i2(t)〉Ts v2(t)

–
Vc1 I2
– – –
Cr
Switch network
Half-wave ZCS quasi-resonant switch cell α β δ ξ

ω0Ts
Conducting Q1 Q1 X D2
Each switching period contains four devices: D1 D1
subintervals D2

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 7 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Subinterval 1

Diode D2 is initially conducting the filter Circuit equations:

inductor current I2. Transistor Q1 turns on, di 1(t) V1
= with i1(0) = 0
and the tank inductor current i1 starts to dt L r
increase. So all semiconductor devices
V1 V
conduct during this subinterval, and the Solution: i 1(t) = t = ω0t 1
circuit reduces to: Lr R0
Lr
Lr where R0 =
i1(t) Cr
+

+
This subinterval ends when diode D2
V1 v2(t) I2
– becomes reverse-biased. This occurs
at time ω0t = α, when i1(t) = I2.
–

V1 I 2R0
i 1(α) = α = I2 α=
R0 V1

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 8 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Subinterval 2

Diode D2 is off. Transistor Q1 conducts, and The solution is

the tank inductor and tank capacitor ring
V1
sinusoidally. The circuit reduces to: i 1(ω0t) = I 2 + sin ω0t – α
R0
Lr
i1(t)
+
v2(ω0t) = V1 1 – cos ω0t – α
ic(t)

V1 + v2(t) Cr I2
–
The dc components of these
– waveforms are the dc
solution of the circuit, while
The circuit equations are the sinusoidal components
di 1(ω0t) have magnitudes that depend
Lr = V1 – v2(ω0t) v2(α) = 0 on the initial conditions and
dt
dv (ω t) i 1(α) = I 2 on the characteristic
C r 2 0 = i 1(ω0t) – I 2 impedance R0.
dt

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 9 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Subinterval 2
continued

V1 i1(t)
Peak inductor current: i 1(ω0t) = I 2 + sin ω0t – α
R0
V1 v2(ω0t) = V1 1 – cos ω0t – α
I2
I 1pk = I 2 + V1
R0 Lr
Subinterval: 1 2 3 4 θ = ω0t
This subinterval ends at the first zero α β δ ξ
crossing of i1(t). Define β = angular length of ω0Ts
subinterval 2. Then
V1
i 1(α + β) = I 2 + sin β = 0 Hence
R0
I 2 R0
I 2 R0 β = π + sin – 1
sin β = – V1
V1
Must use care to select the correct – π < sin – 1 x ≤ π
2 2
branch of the arcsine function. Note
(from the i1(t) waveform) that β > π. V1
I2 <
R0

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 10 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Boundary of zero current switching

If the requirement
V1
I2 <
R0
is violated, then the inductor current never reaches zero. In
consequence, the transistor cannot switch off at zero current.
The resonant switch operates with zero current switching only for load
currents less than the above value. The characteristic impedance
must be sufficiently small, so that the ringing component of the current
is greater than the dc load current.
Capacitor voltage at the end of subinterval 2 is
2
I R
v2(α + β) = Vc1 = V1 1 + 1– 2 0
V1

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 11 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Subinterval 3

All semiconductor devices are off. The Subinterval 3 ends when the
circuit reduces to: tank capacitor voltage
+ reaches zero, and diode D2
becomes forward-biased.
v2(t) Cr I2 Define δ = angular length of
subinterval 3. Then
–
v2(α + β + δ) = Vc1 – I 2R0δ = 0
The circuit equations are
dv2(ω0t) V V IR 2
Cr = – I2
dt δ = c1 = 1 1 – 1– 2 0
v2(α + β) = Vc1 I 2R0 I 2R0 V1

The solution is
v2(ω0t) = Vc1 – I 2 R0 ω0t – α – β

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 12 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Subinterval 4

Subinterval 4, of angular length ξ, is identical to the diode conduction

interval of the conventional PWM switch network.
Diode D2 conducts the filter inductor current I2
The tank capacitor voltage v2(t) is equal to zero.
Transistor Q1 is off, and the input current i1(t) is equal to zero.
The length of subinterval 4 can be used as a control variable.
Increasing the length of this interval reduces the average output
voltage.

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 13 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Maximum switching frequency

The length of the fourth subinterval cannot be negative, and the

switching period must be at least long enough for the tank current and
voltage to return to zero by the end of the switching period.
The angular length of the switching period is
2π f0 2π
ω0Ts = α + β + δ + ξ = =
fs F
where the normalized switching frequency F is defined as
fs
F=
f0
So the minimum switching period is
ω0Ts ≥ α + β + δ

Substitute previous solutions for subinterval lengths:

2
2π ≥ I 2 R0 + π + sin – 1 I 2 R0 + V1 1 – I R
1– 2 0
F V1 V1 I 2 R0 V1
Fundamentals of Power Electronics 14 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters
 20.1.2 The average terminal waveforms

Lr D1 Q1
Averaged switch modeling: i1(t) i2r(t)
we need to determine the + +

average values of i1(t) and

〈 v1(t)〉T + v1r(t) D2 v2(t) Cr 〈 i2(t)〉T
v2(t). The average switch s – s

input current is given by – –

Switch network
t + Ts
1 q1 + q2 Half-wave ZCS quasi-resonant switch cell
i 1(t) = i 1(t)dt =
Ts Ts t Ts
i1(t)
q1 and q2 are the areas under q1 q2
the current waveform during
subintervals 1 and 2. q1 is given I2 〈 i1(t)〉T
s
by the triangle area formula:
α
ω0
α α α+β t
q1 = i 1(t)dt = 12 ω I2 ω0 ω0
0 0

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 15 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Charge arguments: computation of q2

α+β i1(t)
ω0
q2 = i 1(t)dt q1 q2
α
ω0
I2 〈 i1(t)〉Ts
Node equation for subinterval 2:
i 1(t) = i C(t) + I 2
α α+β t
ω0 ω0
Substitute:
α+β α+β
ω0 ω0
q2 = i C(t)dt + I 2 dt Lr
i1(t)
α α
ω0 ω0 + ic(t)
Second term is integral of constant I2: +
V1 v2(t) Cr I2
α+β –
ω0 β
I 2 dt = I 2 ω –
α 0
ω0
Circuit during subinterval 2

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 16 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Charge arguments
continued

α+β α+β v2(t)

ω0 ω0
q2 = i C(t)dt + I 2 dt
α α Vc1 I2
ω0 ω0 –
Cr
First term: integral of the capacitor
current over subinterval 2. This can be α β δ ξ
related to the change in capacitor
voltage :
α+β
Substitute results for the two
ω0 α+β α integrals:
i C(t)dt = C v2 ω0 – v ω0
α
ω0
2
β
q 2 = CVc1 + I 2 ω
0
α+β
ω0 Substitute into expression for
i C(t)dt = C Vc1 – 0 = CVc1 average switch input current:
α
ω0

αI 2 CVc1 βI 2
i 1(t) = + +
Ts 2ω0Ts Ts ω0Ts

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 17 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Switch conversion ratio µ

i 1(t)
µ=
Ts
= α + CVc1 + β
I2 2ω0Ts I 2Ts ω0Ts
Eliminate α, β, Vc1 using previous results:

µ = F 1 12 J s + π + sin – 1(J s) + 1 1 + 1 – J 2s
2π Js
where
I 2 R0
Js =
V1

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 18 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Analysis result: switch conversion ratio µ

Switch conversion ratio: µ = F 1 12 J s + π + sin – 1(J s) + 1 1 + 1 – J 2s

2π Js
I 2 R0 10
with J s =
V1 P1 J s
2

This is of the form 8

µ = FP12 J s
6

P12 J s = 1 1 J + π + sin – 1(J s) + 1 1 + 1 – J 2s

2π 2 s Js
4

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
Js

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 19 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Characteristics of the half-wave ZCS resonant switch

ZCS boundary
1
Switch
0.9 characteristics:
0.8

max F bounda
0.8
µ = FP12 J s
0.7
0.6
0.6
Js 0.5

ry
Mode boundary:
0.4 0.4
0.3 Js ≤ 1
0.2
0.2 JsF
µ≤1–
F = 0.1 4π
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
µ
Fundamentals of Power Electronics 20 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters
 Buck converter containing half-wave ZCS quasi-resonant switch

Conversion ratio of the buck converter is (from inductor volt-second balance):

ZCS boundary
M = V =µ 1
Vg
0.9
For the buck converter, 0.8

max F bounda
0.8
IR
Js = 0 0.7
Vg 0.6
0.6
Js
ZCS occurs when 0.5

ry
Vg 0.4 0.4
I≤ 0.3
R0
0.2
0.2
Output voltage varies over the
F = 0.1
range
FIR0
0 ≤ V ≤ Vg – 0
4π 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
µ

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 21 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Boost converter example

For the boost converter, – v2(t) +

M= V = 1
Vg 1 – µ Ig L i2(t) Cr

i1(t)
I 2 R0 I g R0 D2 + +
Js = = Lr
V1 V
+
Ig = I Vg – D1
v1(t) C R V
1–µ
Q1
Half-wave ZCS equations: – –

µ = FP12 J s

P12 J s = 1 12 J s + π + sin – 1(J s) + 1 1 + 1 – J 2s

2π Js

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 22 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 20.1.3 The full-wave ZCS quasi-resonant switch cell

Half i1(t)
Lr D1 Q1
i2r(t) i2(t) i1(t)
wave + + +

I2
v1(t) v1r(t) D2 Cr v2(t)
V1
Lr
– – – Subinterval: 1 2 3 4 θ = ω0t
Switch network
Half-wave ZCS quasi-resonant switch cell

Full Lr
D1
wave i1(t) i2r(t) i2(t) i1(t)
+ + +
Q1 I2
v1(t) v1r(t) D2 Cr v2(t) V1
Lr
– – – Subinterval: 1 2 3 4 θ = ω0t
Switch network
Full-wave ZCS quasi-resonant switch cell

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 23 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Analysis: full-wave ZCS

Analysis in the full-wave case is nearly the same as in the half-wave

case. The second subinterval ends at the second zero crossing of the
tank inductor current waveform. The following quantities differ:

π + sin – 1 J s (half wave)

β=
2π – sin – 1 J s (full wave)

V1 1 + 1 – J 2s (half wave)
Vc1 =
V1 1 – 1 – J 2s (full wave)

In either case, µ is given by

i 1(t) β
µ=
Ts
= α +
CVc1
+
I2 2ω0Ts I 2Ts ω0Ts
Fundamentals of Power Electronics 24 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters
 Full-wave cell: switch conversion ratio µ

P1 J s = 1 12 J s + 2π – sin – 1(J s) + 1 1 – 1 – J 2s
2π Js

µ = FP1 J s 1
ZCS boundary

Full-wave case: P1 can be 0.8

max F bounda
approximated as F = 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8

P1 J s ≈ 1
0.6
Js

ry
so 0.4
f
µ≈F= s
f0
0.2

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
µ

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 25 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 20.2 Resonant switch topologies

Basic ZCS switch cell: Lr

i1(t) i2r(t) i2(t)
+ + +
SW

v1(t) v1r(t) D2 Cr v2(t)

– – –
Switch network
ZCS quasi-resonant switch cell
SPST switch SW:

• Voltage-bidirectional two-quadrant switch for half-wave cell

• Current-bidirectional two-quadrant switch for full-wave cell

Connection of resonant elements:

Can be connected in other ways that preserve high-frequency
components of tank waveforms

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 26 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Connection of tank capacitor

Cr

Connection of tank
Lr SW
capacitor to two i1(t) i2(t) L

other points at ac + +

ground. +
Vg D2 v2(t) C R V
–
This simply
– –
changes the dc
ZCS quasi-resonant switch
component of tank
capacitor voltage. Cr

The ac high-
SW
frequency i1(t)
Lr
i2(t) L
components of the + +
tank waveforms +
Vg D2 v2(t) C R V
are unchanged. –

– –
ZCS quasi-resonant switch

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 27 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 A test to determine the topology
of a resonant switch network

Replace converter elements by their high-frequency equivalents:

• Independent voltage source Vg: short circuit
• Filter capacitors: short circuits
• Filter inductors: open circuits
The resonant switch network remains.

If the converter contains a ZCS Lr SW

quasi-resonant switch, then the +
result of these operations is
i1(t)
D2 Cr v2(t)

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 28 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Zero-current and zero-voltage switching

ZCS quasi-resonant switch:

Lr SW
• Tank inductor is in series with
switch; hence SW switches at +
zero current i1(t)
D2 Cr v2(t)
• Tank capacitor is in parallel with
diode D2; hence D2 switches at –
zero voltage
Discussion
• Zero voltage switching of D2 eliminates switching loss arising from D2
stored charge.
• Zero current switching of SW: device Q1 and D1 output capacitances lead
to switching loss. In full-wave case, stored charge of diode D1 leads to
switching loss.
• Peak transistor current is (1 + Js) Vg/R0, or more than twice the PWM value.
Fundamentals of Power Electronics 29 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters
 20.2.1 The zero-voltage-switching
quasi-resonant switch cell

Cr

When the previously-described operations

are followed, then the converter reduces to
SW Lr

D2

A full-wave version based on the

PWM buck converter:
+ vCr(t) –

Cr
i1(t) iLr(t) i2(t) L I
+ D1 + +
Lr

Vg + v1(t) Q1 D2 v2(t) C R V
–

– – –

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 30 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 ZVS quasi-resonant switch cell

Switch conversion ratio Tank waveforms

vCr(t)
µ = 1 – FP12 1 half-wave
Js
V1

µ = 1 – FP1 1 full-wave
Js
Subinterval: 1 2 3 4 θ = ω0t
iLr(t)
ZVS boundary I2

Js ≥ 1

peak transistor voltage Vcr,pk = (1 + J s) V1 α β δ ξ

ω0Ts
A problem with the quasi-resonant ZVS Conducting
devices: X D1 Q1 Q1
switch cell: peak transistor voltage D2 D2

becomes very large when zero voltage

switching is required for a large range of
load currents.

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 31 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 20.2.2 The ZVS multiresonant switch

Cs

When the previously-described operations

are followed, then the converter reduces to
SW Lr

D2 Cd

A half-wave version based on the

PWM buck converter:

Cs L
i1(t) i2(t) I
+ D1 + +
Lr

Vg + v1(t) D2 Cd v2(t) C R V
– Q1

– – –

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 32 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 20.2.3 Quasi-square-wave resonant switches

When the previously- ZCS

described operations
are followed, then the SW Lr Cr
converter reduces to
D2

ZVS

SW Lr Cr D2

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 33 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 A quasi-square-wave ZCS buck with input filter

Lf D1 Q1 L
I
+
Lr
Vg + D2 C R V
– Cr
Cf
–

• The basic ZCS QSW switch cell is restricted to 0 ≤ µ ≤ 0.5

• Peak transistor current is equal to peak transistor current of PWM
cell
• Peak transistor voltage is increased
• Zero-current switching in all semiconductor devices

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 34 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 A quasi-square-wave ZVS buck

Lr i2(t)
D1
i1(t) i2(t) I V2
V1 –
+ + + Lr
L Lr
Q1
Vg + v1(t) D2 Cr v2(t) C R V
– v2(t) V1

– – –
0

ω0Ts ω0t
Conducting
devices: D1 Q1 X D2 X

• The basic ZVS QSW switch cell is restricted to 0.5 ≤ µ ≤ 1

• Peak transistor voltage is equal to peak transistor voltage of PWM
cell
• Peak transistor current is increased
• Zero-voltage switching in all semiconductor devices

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 35 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 20.3 Ac modeling of quasi-resonant converters

Use averaged switch modeling technique: apply averaged PWM

model, with d replaced by µ
Buck example with full-wave ZCS quasi-resonant cell:
Full-wave ZCS quasi-resonant switch cell µ=F
D1
Lr L
i1(t) i2r(t) i2(t) i(t)
+ + + +
Q1
vg(t) + v1(t) v1r(t) D2 Cr v2(t) C R v(t)
–

– – – –

Gate
driver

Frequency vc(t)
modulator

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 36 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Small-signal ac model

Averaged switch equations: Linearize:

I2
v2(t) = µ v1r(t) i 1(t) = fs(t)
Ts Ts f0
i 1(t) = µ i 2r(t) Fs V
Ts Ts
v2(t) = v1r(t) + fs(t) 1
f0 f0
Resulting ac model:
Lr i1 i 2r L
1:F

+
–
+ + +
V1
fs
vg + v1r I2 f0 Cr v2 C R v
– fs
f0

– – –

fs
µ=F vc
Gm(s)

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 37 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Low-frequency model

Tank dynamics occur only at frequency near or greater than switching

frequency —discard tank elements

i1 L
1:F

+
–
+ +
V1
fs
vg + I2 f0 v2 C R v
– fs
f0

– –

fs
vc
Gm(s)

—same as PWM buck, with d replaced by F

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 38 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Example 2: Half-wave ZCS quasi-resonant buck

fs(t) i 2r(t)
Now, µ depends on js: µ(t) = P12 js(t) Ts
f0 js(t) = R0
v1r(t) Ts

Half-wave ZCS quasi-resonant switch cell

Lr D1 L
i1(t) i2r(t) i2(t) i(t)
+ + + +
Q1
vg(t) + v1(t) v1r(t) D2 Cr v2(t) C R v(t)
–

– – – –

Gate
driver

Frequency vc(t)
modulator

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 39 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Small-signal modeling

Perturbation and linearization of µ(v1r, i2r, fs):

µ(t) = K vv1r(t) + K i i 2r(t) + K c fs(t)

with ∂µ R0 I 2
Kv = –
∂ js V 21
∂µ Fs 1 1 + 1 – J 2s
∂µ R0 = –
Ki = – ∂ js 2π f0 2 J 2s
∂ js V1
µ
Kc = 0
Fs

Linearized terminal equations of switch network:

i 1(t) = µ(t) I 2 + i 2r(t) µ 0

v2(t) = µ 0 v1r(t) + µ(t) V1

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 40 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Equivalent circuit model

Lr i1 1 : µ0 i 2r L

+
–
+ + +
µ V1
vg + v1r µ I2 Cr v2 C R v
–

– – –

v1r i 2r
Kv ++ Ki
+

fs vc
Kc Gm(s)

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 41 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Low frequency model: set tank elements to zero

i1 1 : µ0 i L

+
–
+
µ Vg
vg + µI C R v
–

vg i
Kv ++ Ki
+

fs vc
Kc Gm(s)

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 42 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Predicted small-signal transfer functions
Half-wave ZCS buck

Gvg(s) = Gg0 1 µ 0 + K vV g
1 + 1 ωs + ωs
2 Gg0 =
Q 0 K iVg
0 1+
R
K cV g
Gvc(s) = Gc0 1 Gc0 =
K iVg
1 + 1 ωs + ωs
2

Q 0 1+
0 R
K iVg
1+
ω0 = R
Full-wave: poles and zeroes are same L rC r
as PWM K iVg
1+
Q= R
Half-wave: effective feedback reduces R0
Q-factor and dc gains + K iVg R
R R0
Lr
R0 =
Cr

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 43 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 20.4 Summary of key points

1. In a resonant switch converter, the switch network of a PWM converter

is replaced by a switch network containing resonant elements. The
resulting hybrid converter combines the properties of the resonant
switch network and the parent PWM converter.
2. Analysis of a resonant switch cell involves determination of the switch
conversion ratio µ. The resonant switch waveforms are determined, and
are then averaged. The switch conversion ratio µ is a generalization of
the PWM CCM duty cycle d. The results of the averaged analysis of
PWM converters operating in CCM can be directly adapted to the
related resonant switch converter, simply by replacing d with µ.
3. In the zero-current-switching quasi-resonant switch, diode D2 operates
with zero-voltage switching, while transistor Q1 and diode D1 operate
with zero-current switching.

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 44 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Summary of key points

4. In the zero-voltage-switching quasi-resonant switch, the transistor Q1

and diode D1 operate with zero-voltage switching, while diode D2
operates with zero-current switching.
5. Full-wave versions of the quasi-resonant switches exhibit very simple
control characteristics: the conversion ratio µ is essentially independent
of load current. However, these converters exhibit reduced efficiency at
light load, due to the large circulating currents. In addition, significant
switching loss is incurred due to the recovered charge of diode D1.
6. Half-wave versions of the quasi-resonant switch exhibit conversion
ratios that are strongly dependent on the load current. These
converters typically operate with wide variations of switching frequency.
7. In the zero-voltage-switching multiresonant switch, all semiconductor
devices operate with zero-voltage switching. In consequence, very low
switching loss is observed.

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 45 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters

 Summary of key points

8. In the quasi-square-wave zero-voltage-switching resonant switches, all

semiconductor devices operate with zero-voltage switching, and with
peak voltages equal to those of the parent PWM converter. The switch
conversion ratio is restricted to the range 0.5 ≤ µ ≤ 1.
9. The small-signal ac models of converters containing resonant switches
are similar to the small-signal models of their parent PWM converters.
The averaged switch modeling approach can be employed to show that
the quantity d(t) is simply replaced by µ(t).
10. In the case of full-wave quasi-resonant switches, µ depends only on the
switching frequency, and therefore the transfer function poles and
zeroes are identical to those of the parent PWM converter.
11. In the case of half-wave quasi-resonant switches, as well as other
types of resonant switches, the conversion ratio µ is a strong function of
the switch terminal quantities v1 and i2. This leads to effective feedback,
which modifies the poles, zeroes, and gains of the transfer functions.

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 46 Chapter 20: Quasi-Resonant Converters