Simple and Seamless PWM Scheme of Isolated Bidirectional AC–DC Converter for Reducing Voltage Spike

Abstract

This article proposes an improved modulation scheme based on unipolar sinusoidal pulsewidth modulation for a single-phase single-stage isolated bidirectional ac–dc converter. A direct ac–ac conversion system connected with a high-frequency transformer typically suffers from high-voltage spikes because of the leakage inductors of the high-frequency transformer and the grid filter inductors, resulting in reduced reliability and large power losses. The proposed modulation scheme can eliminate the high-voltage spikes in bidirectional power flow without the use of additional circuits while realizing zero-voltage switching. In addition, because the proposed method does not require individual gate control of the bidirectional power switches, the generation of gate signals can be simplified using the proposed modulation scheme. A simulation model and a 1.2 kW grid-connected ac–dc converter based on silicon-carbide metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors are implemented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed modulation scheme.