Large-signal transient analysis of forward converter with active-clamp reset

Abstract

The forward converter with the active-clamp reset offers many advantages over the forward converters with other transformer-reset methods. However, during the line and load transients, the maximum magnetizing current of the transformer and the peak voltage of the primary switch are strongly affected by the active-clamp circuit dynamics. As a result, the design of a forward converter with the active-clamp reset cannot be optimized based only on its DC characteristics. Due to the nonlinearity of the circuit, it is very difficult to derive the closed-form equations for the transient response of the active-clamp circuit. In this paper, an average-state-trajectory approach is proposed to analyze the transient behavior so that the trends of the maximum magnetizing current of the transformer and the peak voltage of the primary switch can be easily predicted under worst-case conditions and parameter variations.