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This paper presents an efficiency-improved modulation and control approach referring to the interleaved boost with coupled inductors (IBCI) dc-dc converter topology. Pulse-width modulation approaches for this converter allow various degrees of freedom, which should be exploited in order to minimize conduction and switching losses. On the basis of a detailed analysis of the topology, favorable switching sequences are identified for all the feasible converter’s operating points, deriving a modulation scheme that allows significant efficiency improvements as compared to classical modulation approaches. Actually, considering an experimental prototype rated 1.5 kW, it is shown that the achieved efficiency performance is close to the optimal one found by a brute force characterization of the prototype. Finally, the obtained modulation scheme is integrated into a closed-loop control of the converter’s power flow, achieving low power losses also during non steady-state conditions and tracking of given references. Three different implementation techniques are discussed, based on a look-up table, a neural network, and a piecewise linear approximation approach, and compared in terms of accuracy, computational complexity, and memory utilization when deployed in a digital controller.

The paper analyzes and reports the performance of two isolated, bidirectional dc-dc converter topologies, namely, the dual active-bridge converter (DAB) and the interleaved boost with coupled inductors (IBCI). A modulation principle applicable to both the topologies is also proposed and reported. The considered topologies find natural application in smart dc power systems integrating renewables and energy storage systems, for which loss minimization is crucial. It is shown that the proposed modulation scheme, on the basis of simple converters modeling, allows to ease zero-voltage switching (ZVS) operation of the switching devices, giving significant efficiency improvements. The reported results show that ZVS operation is easier to achieve for the IBCI, which is associated to better overall efficiencies. Experimental results under equivalent modeling accuracies and comparable hardware platforms are reported considering prototypes rated for 1.5 kW.

This paper investigates the behavior of the Bidirectional Interleaved Boost converter with Coupled Inductors, exploring all possible degrees of freedom. Such analysis allows to find the current values at the device switching instants for all possible operating points, thus highlighting the regions where ZVS is lost. At the same time, the modulation for the minimum RMS current in all devices can be found.A new design and modulation strategy has been proposed to achieve ZVS in the whole operating range. Experimental results taken on a 1.5 kW prototype, validated the theoretical analysis.

This paper describes the implementation of a digital current controller for a Bidirectional Interleaved Boost converter with Coupled Inductors (BIBCI). The final goal of the project is to develop a complete, high efficiency, battery management system (BMS). In order to do that, an optimized, triple phase shift (TPS) digital PWM strategy is used to maximize the BIBCI conversion efficiency. On top of that, a battery current controller is implemented, whose dynamic modeling is analyzed. The controller design procedure is then explained. Experimental results, taken on a 1.5 kW converter prototype, validate the theoretical analysis and control design procedure.