Novel DC-DC Multilevel Boost Converter

Julio C. Rosas-Caro, Juan M. Ramírez, Pedro Martín García-Vite.

Power System Department Guadalajara Campus of CINVESTAV, Guadalajara City Mexico.

In DC-DC conversion, it has been shown in [2] that DC-DC

Abstract – This paper proposes a new DC-DC converter. The converters can be derived from the three basic topologies,
DC-DC Multilevel Boost Converter, based on one inductor, one initially proposed for dc-ac and ac-dc conversion, and from the
switch, 2N-1 diodes and 2N-1 capacitor, for N levels plus the generalized topology; they can eliminate magnetic components
reference (total N+1 levels), is a boost converter able to control in the converter, although they exhibit limitations in the
and maintain the same voltage in all the Nx output levels, and
capacitor’s voltage balancing, making this one the main
able to control the input current.
drawback.
This converter is based on the multilevel converters principle,
and it is proposed to be used as DC-link in applications where
several controlled voltage levels are needed with self balancing
and unidirectional current flow, such as photovoltaic (PV) or fuel
cell generation systems with multilevel inverters. Used to feed a
multilevel inverter, the proposed topology achieves a self voltage
balancing; experimental results prove the principle of the
proposition.

Index Terms – DC-DC converter, multilevel converter, boost

converter, voltage multiplier.

I. INTRODUCTION

M ultilevel converters have attracted interest in power

conversion [1][8]; they already are a very important
alternative in high power applications [1][2]. It has been
shown that they are useful in virtually all power conversion
processes such as ac-dc, dc-ac, dc-dc and ac-dc-ac [3].
Some of the advantages of multilevel converters against
Fig. 1. Examples on multilevel converters applications: (a) high power, train
traditional topologies are: (i) low harmonic distortion, (ii) low drive system in Japan [12], (b) Low power, DC-DC converter for automotive
voltage stress, (iii) low EMI noise, (iv) low switching system [10].
frequency, (v) high efficiency, (vi) ability to operate without
magnetic components [2][3][8]. All these advantages make II. RENEWABLE SYSTEMS APPLICATION
multilevel converters one of the most important topics in Renewable energy systems offer clean power and
power electronics, and industrial application research, and in independence from fossil fuel, since the product of the
some applications they can get modular topologies [2]. chemical reaction in fuel cells is H2O when H2 is used as fuel;
After 30 years of research, a lot of structures and variations therefore, the fuel cells are environmentally cleaner than
have been developed. The three major topologies are: (i) diode traditional generators [5[9][12].
clamped, also called neutral point, (ii) capacitor clamped, also Nowadays, the main energy generation is based on
called flying capacitor, (iii) and cascaded multi-cell. From concentrated high power plants; in the future, a diverse and
those ones, several hybrid topologies have appeared [1][3]. A
disperse generation will become a major energy source [4][7].
generalized topology is proposed in [3], showing that all basic
According to these scenarios, the increase in world energy
structures and new multilevel topologies can be derived from
demand will be supplied by renewable energy technologies,
the generalized topology.
The main multilevel converters’ applications are focused in which will provide 30% - 50% of world energy by 2050 [9].
high power motor drives, Fig.1a, static VARs compensation, This scenario makes multilevel topologies ideal for
and other utility applications [1][2][8]; they are also suitable renewable energy generation systems. Some applications have
for FACTS devices[4]. They can also been applied to DC-DC been developed [4][5], the major ones related with multilevel
conversion in low power, specially for automotive converters based renewable systems who use the renewable
applications, Fig.1b [6][10], and renewable energy systems source in the optimum operating point and the DC-Link
[4][5[7]. voltage balance. Renewable systems are often made by a dc-dc
converter that can track the maximum power operating point,
Authors are with CINVESTAV – Unidad Guadalajara- MEXICO and an inverter to deliver the active power into the utility.

978-1-4244-1668-4/08/$25.00 ©2008 IEEE 2146

 It is known that for applications on active power transfer, (PV) or fuel cell generation systems with multilevel inverters.
such as motor drives, or renewable applications, conventional Used to feed a multilevel inverter, the proposed topologies
multilevel topologies require either isolated dc power sources, achieve a self-balanced voltage. Experimental results in a low
or a complicated voltage balancing circuit and control to power prototype are exhibited.
support and maintain each voltage level [3], and they are
neither operable nor complete for active power conversion III. BOOST CONVERTER
because they depend on outside circuits for voltage balancing This section analyzes the conventional boost converter and
[3]. the maximum boost ratio considering the inductor losses. The
The multilevel configuration makes it possible to utilize low boost ratio is limited by the inductor’s equivalent series
voltage MOSFETs, which have extremely low on-resistance resistance (ESR) [13]. Due to this limitation, the maximum
and are low cost, because of large production volume for boost ratio can be calculated through the output power
switching power supplies used in communications and (voltage and current) and the inductor’s ESR, which can be
computer industries [6]. These low cost-size switches estimated and measured during and after the inductor’s design.
proportionate the possibility of integrating inverters in a small This is especially important when the desired boost factor is
space and make renewable systems inverters compact and bigger than five; however, this information is not available in
cheap. most of commercial literature. Here the ESR effect in the boost
ratio is analyzed for the conventional boost converter and for
the proposed topology.

Fig. 3. Conventional boost converter.

Fig. 3 illustrates the boost converter. The duty cycle, D, is

defined as the time relationship that the switch is on relative to
the total switching period. Assuming that the current in all
inductors and the voltage in all capacitors keep constant, as is
usual in the switching converters’ steady state analysis, in
steady state the DC voltage in the inductor VL can be
expressed as (1) and is equal to zero:
Fig. 2. Five level diode clamped inverter for renewable energy generation
system. VL = D(Vin ) − (1 − D)(Vin − VC ) = 0 (1)
The challenge is to link the DC renewable energy source From (1) at steady state it can be verified that the
with a DC-AC multilevel inverter. Such links should be capacitor’s voltage becomes:
balanced, and is highly desirable to be self-balancing to avoid
complex control strategy, Fig.2. It also requires a high boost VC 1 (2)
=
ratio, which is a challenge for transformer-less DC-DC Vin 1 − D
converters [11], although for utility connected renewable
The DC inductor’s current can be obtained by the input and
applications the boost ratio can be larger than five.
output power:
For multilevel inverters based renewable applications, it is
highly desirable to design a DC-DC converter to overcome VC
Vin I L = VC I out = VC
such challenges, and connect a N-level multilevel inverter to RO
the utility with a high boost ratio, self-balanced voltage, and
unidirectional current. The DC-DC converters proposed in this VC VC
IL = (3)
paper overcome such difficulties. Vin RO
This paper proposes a new DC-DC converter, named
Multilevel Boost Converter (MBC), based on one inductor, Substituting (2) into (3), the inductor current can be expressed
one switch, 2N-1 diodes and 2N-1 capacitor for N levels. It is as:
a boost converter PWM controlled and able to maintain the
VC (4)
same voltage in all N output levels and able to control the IL =
input current. (1 − D) RO
This converter is based on the multilevel converters Eq. (2) is obtained from the boost converter’s ideal model,
principle; and it is proposed to be used as DC-link in while the inductor’s losses can be added through an ESR ( RL ),
applications where several voltage levels are needed with self-
Fig 4. An analog equation to that in (1) can be obtained for the
balancing and unidirectional current flow, such as photovoltaic
model with ESR as (5).

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 IV. DC-DC MULTILEVEL BOOST CONVERTER
Fig. 6 depicts the proposed topology. It is a Nx DC-DC
converter based on one switch, 2N-1 diodes and 2N-1
capacitors. One advantage of the topology is that the number
of levels can be extended adding capacitors and diodes.
The lowest part of the converter, Fig. 7, is the conventional
Fig. 4. Boost converter with the inductor’s ESR.
DC-DC boost converter, then the voltage gain also holds for
VL = D(Vin − I L RL ) + (1 − D)(Vin − VC − I L RL ) = 0 (5) the boost converter in (2). The difference between the
multilevel boost converter and the conventional one is that in
From (5) it is possible to get (6):
the multilevel boost converter, the output is Vc times N, where
DVin − DI L RL + (1 − D)Vin − (1 − D)VC − (1 − D) I L RL = 0 N+1 is the converter’s number of levels, Fig. 6.
Vin ( D + 1 − D) + I L RL (− D − 1 + D) = (1 − D)VC

Vin = (1 − D)VC + I L RL (6)

Remembering (4) and substituting it into (6), the boost

factor considering the inductor’s losses can be approximated
by (7).
VC
Vin = (1 − D)VC + RL
(1 − D) RO
ª RL º
Vin = VC «(1 − D) + »
¬ (1 − D) RO ¼

VC 1 (7)
=
Vin RL
(1 − D) +
(1 − D) RO
Fig. 6. DC-DC Multilevel Boost Converter for N+1 levels.
If the inductor losses are ignored ( RL = 0 ), then (7)
becomes (2). Eq. (7) Gives us an idea to the effect in the boost
factor, and explains why the real boost factor gets a maximum
before D=1 and then becomes 0, Fig. 5. From (7) it can also be
seen that the boost ratio is limited for the relation between the
inductor’s ESR and the output resistance. By varying (7), the
actual boost factor against the duty cycle can be obtained. In
Fig. 5 the ideal case is drawn (RL/RO = 0.00) besides some
typical values RL/RO.
Fig. 7. Lowest part of the proposed topology.

The multilevel principle of this converter will be explained

through a 4x (5 levels) dc-dc boost converter, Fig. 8. To
explain the multilevel principle, assume that the switch (S) is
switching with a duty cycle (D) of 0.5.

Fig. 5. Voltage gain versus duty cycle for different values of ESR/Ro.

It is noteworthy from Fig. 5 that the boost factor is quasi-

linear from [1, 2] when the duty cycle is from [0, 0.5], but
after that, the boost factor becomes non-linear. The necessary
boost factor for renewable generation systems is from [2, 6-8].
Fig. 8. Switch-on state.
This behavior complicates the boost converter control in
renewable energy generation systems.

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 During the switch-on state, the inductor is connected to Vin generation systems where sometimes is necessary to track the
voltage, Fig. 8a. If C6’s voltage is smaller than C7’s voltage maximum power point.
then C7 clamps C6’s voltage through D6 and switch (S), Fig. From Fig. 7 the following expressions can be derived and it
8b. At the same time, if the voltage across C4+C6 is smaller can be seen that (5) and (6) holds for the first level in the new
than the voltage across C5+C7, then C5 and C7 clamp the topology. Remembering the relation between the capacitors
voltage across C4 and C6 through D4 and S, Fig. 8c. voltage vs. the output voltage and (9) the eq. (10) can be
Similarly, C3, C5, and C7 clamp the voltage across C2, C4, derived with the next procedure in which the inductors power
and C6, Fig. 8d. losses are considered.
When the switch turn off, the inductor current closes D7,
VL = D (Vin − I L RL ) + (1 − D )(Vin − VC − I L RL ) = 0
and switches all diodes. During the switch-off state, the
DVin − DI L RL + (1 − D)Vin − (1 − D)VC − (1 − D) I L RL = 0
inductor current closes D7 charging C7, Fig. 9a. When D7
closes, C6 and the voltage in Vin plus the inductor’s voltage Vin ( D + 1 − D) + I L RL (− D − 1 + D) = (1 − D)VC
clamp the voltage across C5 and C7 through D5, Fig. 9b. Vin = (1 − D)VC + I L RL
Similarly, the voltage across the inductor plus Vin, C4, and C6
clamp the voltage across C3, C5, and C7 through D3. Finally, Vout NVout (10)
Vin = (1 − D) + RL
the voltage across C1, C3, C5, and C7 is clamped by C2, C4, N (1 − D) RO
C6, Vin, and the inductor’s voltage, Fig. 9c.
From (10), the boost ratio for the novel topology may be
expressed as (11).
Vin 1 (11)
=
Vout (1 − D) NR L
+
N (1 − D) RO

It is important to note that (11) is actually a general equation

that includes the conventional boost converter if N = 1 in the
ideal model when RL = 0 , or in the model considering losses
when RL is considered.

Fig. 9. Switch-off state.

It can be seen that D1, D3, D5, and D7 switch in a

synchronously way, complemented with D2, D4, D6, and S,
Figs. 8-9.

V. LOSSES TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT

In this section the boost ratio will be analyzed, which is very
important because the inductor losses limit the theoretically
maximum boost ratio, and the analysis gives important
information to designers. As it has been mentioned, eq. (2)
holds in (7) for the first level, but the total output voltage is N
Fig. 10. Voltage gain versus duty cycle for different values of ESR/Ro in the
times Vc. Thus, the new voltage gain can be expressed by: novel multilevel boost converter (N=4).
VC 1 then Vout N (8)
= = Analogously to Fig. 5, Fig. 10 shows the boost factor for
Vin 1 − D Vin 1 − D
N=4 (4x, 5 levels); Vout is divided in C1, C3, C5, and C7,
The input DC current can be expressed in terms of the Figs. 8-9.
output current and input-output voltage as: From Fig. 10, the theoretical boost ratio limitation caused
by the inductor losses is still a limitation but, the quasi-linear
Vout NVC N 2VC2 operative region is larger and includes higher boost factors.
Vin I L = Vout I out = Vout = NVC =
RO RO RO Thus, the multilevel boost converter can operate in the high
boost ratio region, this region is also around D=0.5 which is
VC N 2VC N 2VC (9) the better point to operate the multilevel strategy.
IL = =
Vin RO (1 − D) RO Likewise, the maximum boost ratio is farther than D=1,
which is an operative point difficult to implement with non-
From (9) it can be seen that the input current can be
ideal switches.
controlled with D in the PWM which is important in some
All these characteristics made the multilevel boost converter
applications such as renewable energy based distributed
a real option to implement in renewable energy generation

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system transformer-less and based on a multilevel inverter. For It is noteworthy that the multilevel operation holds and the
instance, the five-level diode clamped multilevel inverter with capacitor’s voltage are balanced, regardless on the load and
a large linear operation region and a high boost factor with configuration, non-medium, or a medium source. Thus, the
duty cycles near 0.5 instead of duty cycles near 1. DC-DC Multilevel Boost Converter is an important alternative
to feed multilevel inverters.
VI. CENTRAL SOURCE
A variation of the proposed topology is discussed in this VII. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS
section. One of the disadvantages of the proposed topology, A low power prototype is built to show experimentally the
Fig. 6, is that the current in semiconductors is higher in the operating principle of this novel converter. A Freescale eight
lower levels. This is a disadvantage of most of the DC-DC bits microcontroller is employed to provide the PWM signal in
multilevel converters. For instance, in Fig. 1b the lower device an open loop structure. Fig. 13 shows the prototype schematic
dissipates more power than the higher one, and this fact come of a 3x (4 levels) multilevel boost converter. Fig. 14-15 exhibit
from the energy conservation principle: for the same power the test bench; the inductor has a value of of 25mH and all
higher voltage means lower current and vice versa. capacitors are 12000 ȝF; the inductor is added externally to
the PBC prototype.

Fig. 13. Prototype schematic: L = 25mH, C= 12mF.

Fig. 11. Topology variation with medium source.

Fig. 11 displays the topology variation with the input source

voltage at the medium position. Similarly to Fig. 6, the
topology can be easily extended to any number of levels, but
the current at the medium semiconductors is less than the
current in the bottom semiconductors. Fig 12 present the 4x
variant.
Fig. 14. (a) Isolated gate drive power supply (b) diodes (c) IGBT (d) gate
drive power input (e) output voltage (f) input voltage.

Fig. 12. 4x (5 levels) multilevel boost converter variant. Fig. 15. (a) Isolated gate drive power supply (b) diodes (c) IGBT (d) gate
drive power input (e) output voltage (f) input voltage.

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 ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Several tests are carried out. Figs. 16-17 show the resultant
Authors thank to CONACyT under grant 54067. Special
waveforms; results are as expected.
thanks are given to Prof. Fang Peng and people from power
electronics and motor drives lab of Michigan State University
for their suggestions.

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able to control the input current.
This converter is based on the multilevel converters
principle, where all devices block one voltage level which
allows developing high voltage converters with low voltage
devices. It is proposed to be employed as DC-link in
applications where several voltage levels are required with
self-balancing, unidirectional current flow, and PWM control,
such as photovoltaic (PV) or fuel cell generation systems with
multilevel inverters. Utilized to feed a multilevel inverter, the
proposed topology achieves a self-balanced voltage.
Experimental results show the applicability of the novel
device.

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