2023 International Conference on Recent Trends in Electronics and Communication (ICRTEC)

Performance Analysis for LLC Resonant Converter

inIElectric Vehicle Applications
Sathya Ki Guruswamy K Pi
Dept. of ElectricalIEngineering,i Dept. of ElectricalIEngineering,i
University of VisvesvarayaICollege of Engineeringi University of VisvesvarayaICollege of Engineeringi
Bangalore, Karnataka, Indiai Bangalore, Karnataka, Indiai
[email protected] [email protected]
2023 International Conference on Recent Trends in Electronics and Communication (ICRTEC) | 979-8-3503-9619-5/23/$31.00 ©2023 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/ICRTEC56977.2023.10111915

Abstract- This paper explains performance analysis of LLC and SPRC, the LLC resonant converterihas less circulating
resonant converter forielectric vehicle applications. Due to their energy whether operating either at low output voltage or high
exceptional efficiency and minimal switching losses, LLC resonant input voltage [2]. Higher conversion efficiency may emerge
converters are ofteniused. In this study, small signal modelling from the capabilityIof the active switchesiin an LLC resonant
methods based onIextended describing function (EDF)iare used to
converter to switch on with zeroivoltage switchingi(ZVS) and
investigate the behaviour of LLC resonant converters. This paper
also examines the effect of variable frequency control in LLC to switch off the output rectifieridiodes with zero current
resonant converter on its input impedance. In addition, MATLAB switching (ZCS).iHigh power or high frequency applicationsias
Simulink simulation platform is used to develop and apply a result have made extensive use of LLC resonant converters
modeling approaches to validate. Control to output voltage of [2][4].IThe LLC resonant converterIis the most ideal design for
LLC converters are derived in this paper to evaluate model’s DC-DCIpower conversion due to its high efficiency [10–11],
accuracy. high powerIdensity[11], low EMI, and wide voltage rangei[2-
3][5][7].
Keywords- Electric vehicle, LLC resonant converter,i frequency
control, small signal modeling. Performance of the resonant converters depends on a control
strategy in addition to the power circuit design. Resonant
I.INTRODUCTION converters are challenging to operate because their dynamic
properties are highly sensitive to changes in the load or input
Traditionally Switched-mode power converters using pulse-
voltage. Wide frequency variations are required by the
width modulationi(PWM) are employed in a variety of
traditional variable frequency control (VFC) often utilized in
applications, including those in the consumer goods, aerospace,
these convertersIto maintain zero voltage switching (ZVS)i[6].
telecommunications, and industrial sectors, to modify the
The main sideIof the bridge is modulated to control the
output voltage, the power semiconductor switch's duty cycle is
converter switchingIfrequency, this term is known as variable
modified [1]. Power switches operate in hard switching with
frequency control (VFC) [8]. The converter behaviourIunder
conventional pulse width modulation (PWM) dc-dc
small-signalIfluctuations in the inputIvoltage (Vi), switching
convertersi, which has substantial switching loss and EMI
frequencyI(fs), and duty cycleI(d)iis thoroughly explained
problems [2]. When the switching frequency is raised, the
using the extended descriptive function (EDF) technique [9].
voltage as well as square wave represents the currentIwaveform
The LLCIresonant converterI operates variable
across the switch and at the outputi, which typically results in
frequencyicontrol to regulateIthe output voltage. A gate drive
higher switching losses. Raise in switching stress leads to
signal with variable frequency but a constant duty cycle is
significant increase in electromagneticIinterference (EMI)
necessary for this kind of control [12]. Changing the frequency
emission, which is challenging to filter.iDespite having a wide
of the voltageisupplied to the resonant tankIis the common
loadIand line control range, these converters are simple to use
control strategy forILLC resonantIconverters [11].
and understand. But the general trend is to make power
converters smaller, lighter, and less expensive in order to keep II. OPERATION OF LLC RESONANT CONVERTERi
up with advancements in microelectronics. In order to do this,
the switching frequency must be increased, which decreases the The complementary mode power switches Q1 and Q2iare set to
size of magnetic componentsi(such as isolation transformers, a fixed duty cycle of 50%iby the frequency regulated switching
filter inductors, and capacitors), and the power conversion network as shown in Fig.1, which serves as a square-wave
efficiency must be increased, which reduces the size of heat generator. The switching networkIconverts the DC inputiVin
sinks. Higher power efficiency can be attained by using into a square wave withIa constant duty cycle, amplitudeIequal
resonant power conversion techniques to reduce or eliminate to Vin, and a DCIoffset of Vin/2 that is transmitted to the
switching losses [1]. The series resonantIconverter (SRC),i resonant tank [13]. The resonantIcapacitance Cr and two
series-parallel resonant converter (SPRC), parallel resonant inductances, theItransformer'simagnetizing inductance Lm and
converter (PRC), and LLCIresonant converter have all been theIseries resonant inductanceILr make up the resonant circuit,
produced to resolve these issues. In comparison to SRC, PRC, also referred to as a resonant network. The transformer'sIturn

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 ratioIis n,isince the electric current is circulated through the B. Mode 2 (t1 < t < t2):i
resonant network, the energy is supplied and recirculated
through the transformer to the load [14].

Fig.3.IEquivalent circuit of Mode 2

When operating in this manner, the sourceIvoltage across

Fig.1. Structure of Resonant Converter. the resonantItankishifts to Vi+nV0, Q1 is turned on, as the
switching frequency changes, the direction of the
A. Mode 1 (t0 < t < t1):i
currentiflowing through the secondary side changes (fs)
iWhen the primary main switch Q1 is actuated in this mode exceeds the series resonant frequency (f0),this is similar to
of operation, the secondary sideIsynchronous rectifier (SR)ID2 Mode 1 as seen in Fig.3.
and D4Ireceive the resonant current. The outputIvoltage clamps
C. Mode 3 (t2 < t < t3):i
the magnetizing inductor Lmiin this mode. According to Fig. 2,
an identical circuit, the series resonantItank is made up of the When this mode of operation, Q1 is on but the secondary
resonant inductorILr andIthe resonant capacitor Cr. Vin-nV0 component is not receiving current, in this mode the switching
serves as the source voltageiat the resonant tank [12]. The frequencyi(fs) isIlower than the series resonant frequency (f0),
voltage at Cr and the current through iLr are given by equation the resonance is joined byIthe magnetizing inductor Lm,
(1) and (2) respectively, resonantItank has a source voltage of Vin, in Fig. 4, the
equivalent circuit is displayed.
1 (1)
Cr 
v Cr = i Lr dt+VCr ( 0 − )
1
Cr 
vCr = i Lr dt (5)
1 1
i Lr = −  (Vin − nV0 ) −  vCr (2)
Lr Lr
1 1 (6)
L r +L m  L r +L m 
i Lr = − vcr dt + Vin dt

Combining (5) and (6), vCr and iLr are obtained and it is given
below,

vCr -Vin =ILr (0- )Z1sin[ω1 (t-t 0 )]+

(7)
Fig.2.IEquivalent circuit of Mode 1
(VCr (0- )-Vin )cos[ω1 (t-t 0 )]
Where VCr(0-) and ILr(0-) are the initial conditions, its
-
impedance Z0=√Lr/Cr, series resonant frequency ω0=1/√LrCr, i Lr = I Lr (0 )cos[ω1 (t - t 0 )]
resonant capacitor voltageivCr and inductor current iLr, v Cr (0 - ) - Vin (8)
- sin[ω1 (t - t 0 )]
respectively. Equations of (3) and (4) can be obtained by Z1
combining the above equations (1) and (2).
Where Z1==√Lr+ Lm/Cr, impedance, series resonant frequency
v Cr -(Vin -nV0 )=I Lr (0- )Z0sin[ω0 (t-t 0 )]+ ω0=1/√ (Lr+ Lm)Cr,
(3)
(Vin − VCr (0- )-nV0 )cos[ω0 (t-t 0 )]

i Lr = I Lr (0- )cos[ω0 (t - t 0 )]
Vin - v Cr (0- ) - nV0 (4)
+ sin[ω0 (t - t 0 )]
Z0
Fig.4.IEquivalent circuit of Mode 3

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 D. Mode 4 (t3 < t < t4): switching frequencyi(fs) is lesser than series resonant frequency
(f0) as seen in Mode 3, resonant tank has a source voltage of
In this mode of operation,iprimary side Q2 turns on, the zero, in Fig. 7, the equivalent circuit is displayed. Relevant
secondary side synchronous rectifier (SR) D1 and D3 receive equations of vCr and iLr are obtained and it is given in equation
current in resonance as illustrated in Fig.5, this mode is similar (13) and (14)
to Mode 1 but Vin does not exist, hence source voltage across
the resonant tank becomes nV0. Equations vCr and iLr are
obtained and it is given in equation (9) and (10).

Fig.7.IEquivalent circuitIof Mode 6

vCr = I Lr (0− ) Z1 sin[ω1 (t − t0 )] + (VCr (0− )) cos[ω1 (t − t0 )] (13)

Fig.5.IEquivalent circuit ofIMode 4i

vCr +nV0 =ILr (0− )Z0 sin[ω0 (t − t0 )] − v  (14)

(9) i Lr = I Lr (0− )cos[ω1 (t − t0 )] −  Cr  sin[ω1 (t − t0 )]
(− VCr (0 ) − nV0 ) cos[ω0 (t − t0 )]
−
 Z1 

i Lr = I Lr (0− ) cos[ω0 (t − t0 )] G. To derive voltage-gain

(10)
 v (0 ) + nV0 
−
−  Cr  sin[ω0 (t − t0 )] In the above Fig.8. model, an equivalent resistive load is
 Z0 
driven by an AC resonant circuit that has been activated by a
E. Mode 5 (t1 < t < t2): sinusoidal input source [11], where VCD is the fundamental
component of voltage across output and VAB is the fundamental
During this mode of operation, Q2 operates, current flowing element of input voltage. The gain or ratio can be used to define
through the secondary side changes direction through D2 and theIrelationship between input and output voltage are given in
D4 as seen in Fig.6. This is result of switching frequency (fs) equationi(15),
being greater than the series resonant frequency (f0), which is
observed in Mode 2 of the circuit. Equations of vCr and iLr are
obtained and it is given in equation (11) and (12).

Fig.6. Equivalent circuit of Mode 5

Fig.8. Circuit model of LLC half bridge converter [11].
v Cr +nV0 =I Lr (0- )Z0 sin[ω0 (t-t 0 )]-
(11) VCD Zy
(-VCr (0- )-nV0 )cos[ω0 (t-t 0 )] = (15)
VAB Zy + Zx

i Lr =I Lr (0- ) cos[ω0 (t − t0 )]
(12) Above equation is simplified and then we obtain Mg as seen in
 v (0- )+nV0 
−  Cr  sin[ω0 (t − t0 )] equation (16)
 Z0 

jωLm Re
(16)
F. Mode 6 (t3 < t < t4): Mg =
1
jω Lm Re + jω Lr +
jωCr
In this modeIof operation, Q2 is on but the secondary side is
not receiving any current,ithis mode exists as soon as the

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 Hence the output voltage can be determined as shown in
equation (17)

1 V
V0 = M g * * in (17)
n 2

III. MODELING OF LLC RESONANT CONVERTER Fig.9.iSmall signal model for LLC Fs ≥ F0 [9]

Load regulation, line regulation, stability, and the time it

takes for the system to return to steady-state when a disturbance
is induced by theiinput stage or the control stage are some of
the demands imposed on DC-DC converters. The most of these
converters may be evaluated by employing alternate analytical
modelling approaches or well-known methodologies from
linear circuit theory. In order to comprehend how the circuit
would behave as the circuit parameter varies, bothIPWM and
resonant DC-DC convertersiare composed of highly nonlinear
components such as switchesIand diodes,iand the small signal
model will offer thorough information about the circuitiat
various points in time. These components must be linearized Fig.10.iSteady state waveforms for LLC Fs ≥ F0 [9]
and averaged in order to use the linear circuit theory.
B. Equivalent LLC circuit model when Fs < F0
The two fundamental modelling techniques that are
applicableito both categories of converters are state-space During this caseimagnetizing inductor LmIis clamped by V0
averaging and circuit averaging [11].The extended descriptive or –V0 and doesn't ever take part in resonance. The small signal
function approach was created to increase accuracy and
modeliof LLC forIFs< Fo can be constructed using the rectifier's
produce a model that operates in the timeIdomainiasIwell as the
frequencyIdomain. Hence can achieve controlling frequency small-signal model and the updated modulation model as seen
and duty cycle with the aid of this modeling technique. Using in Fig.11. Steady state waveforms for LLC Fs < F0 are depicted
the extendedIdescriptive function approach, theIsmall-signal in Fig.12. Since the voltage of magnetizing inductor for Fs<Fo
model of the resonant converters combines transient and steady is quasi square wave rather than a square, it is necessary to
state analysis [11]. In general, ZVS is chosen for MOSFET modify the rectifier model, when Fs=Fo, rectifier model is
applications. ZVS is conceivable for SRCiwhenIthe switching reduced to the SRC model, and VT square wave transitions into
frequency isIgreater than the resonant frequency.IThe impact
a quasi-square wave.
of Lm, however, allows for LLC to attain ZVS even when the
switching frequencyIis lower thanithe seriesIresonant
frequency Fo WhenIcomparing Fs≥Fo with Fs≤Fo, the resonant
tank differs from a resonance perspective, only Lr resonates
with Cr for Fs≥Fo, whereas Lm clamped by the output
voltage.iLmItakes part in resonance for Fs< Fo within a specific
time interval, for each circumstance, the small signalImodels
are developed as followsIdue to the various resonant
behaviours[9].
Fig.11. Small signal model for LLC Fs < F0 [17].
A. Equivalent LLC circuit model when Fs ≥ F0

During this case as shown in Fig.9a, LLC operates

magnetizing inductorILm, like SRC is either clampedIby V0 or
–V0, it never takes part for resonance.iThe LLC resonant
converter's small-signal model for Fs ≥ F0 conversion is
depicted inIFig.9.iThe magnitudeI of the voltageIand current
sources on the inverter sideIis decreased to half because an
inverter with half-bridge utilized at LLC resonant converters as
compared to the model using a full-bridge inverter that is
presented [17].Fig.10.iSteady state waveforms for LLC Fs ≥ F0.

Fig.12. Steady state waveforms of LLC Fs < F0 [9]

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 IV. DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS

Table I. Design summary of LLC converterI

Specificationsi
Input Voltage,Vini 400 Vi
Output Voltage,Voi 12 Vi
Output Current,Ioi 17 Ai
Maximum Power,Po 200 W
Resonant frequency(fr) 208 kHz
Resonant Inductor(Lr) 62 µH
Magnetizing Inductor(Lm) 268 µH
Resonant Capacitor(Cr) 9.4 nF
Transformer turns ratio 33:1
Fig.13. Average current mode control functional diagram [15]

V. CONTROL OF LLC RESONANT CONVERTER VI. SIMULATION AND DISCUSSIONS

Fig.13. showsiaverage current mode control functional A. Open loop simulation

diagram, this control method uses theicurrent sensing network
The circuit is simulated and made to function at 208 kHz
to find the resonant tank current.iThe currentIfeedback circuit,
with the help of the software MATLAB Simulink, and the open
which consists of an error amplifier and two currentIfeedback
loop simulation as seen in Fig.14. The outcomes of simulation
compensators ZC1 and ZC2,iconverts the measured current into
are displayed below in Fig.15 and Fig.16.
a voltage signal Vx for processing. If the currentIfeedback
compensationicomplies with the following condition in
equation (18) [15].

ZC 2 (jω)
limω→0 =∞ (18)
ZC1 (jω)

The voltage signal Vx being measured is compelled to

resemble the control voltage Vc. A rectified sinusoidal
waveform also characterize the measured voltage signal Vx, it
Fig.14. Open loop simulation for a half bridge LLC resonant converter.i
represents the resonant tank current in scale[20].IIn the average
current mode control,Ia voltage duplicate of the resonantItank It canibe seen from the findings in Fig. 15 that the outputI
current is produced using theIcenter-tappedIcurrent voltage is 11V, output currentIobtained is 17A and the current
transformer andIrectifying circuitsI. However, if the as well the voltage across the MOSFET is shown below.
requirement is met by the voltage feedback circuit in (19),
output voltage is controlled at V0 = Vref..

Z2 (j0) (19)
=∞
Z1 (j0)
The current feedbackicompensation output is provided by
equation (20), the voltage controlled oscillator receives the
composite control signal Vs as an input [15].

vs (t)= -
ZC 2
v x (t)+(1+
ZC 2
)v c (t) (20)
ZC1 ZC1

Fig.15. Waveforms for output voltage, output current, MOSFET current and
MOSFET voltage.

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