Analysis and Design of a ZVS Clamp-Switch SEPIC DC/DC Converter

This paper presents the analysis of a zero voltage switching (ZVS) single-ended primary inductance converter (SEPIC) employing a clamp-switch network. Soft switching transitions are achieved by adding a clamp-switch network comprised of a diode and an active switch in parallel to one of the inductors of a traditional SEPIC converter, which is otherwise designed to operate in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). In this way switching losses can be reduced and high frequency parasitic oscillations can be mitigated. The basic converter operation principle is described and the design constraints to achieve full or partial ZVS are analyzed. The proposed operating principle is validated by simulation and experimental results.