Analysis of Light Load Efficiency Characteristics of a Dual Active Bridge Converter Using Wide Band-Gap Devices

Abstract

In this paper, the zero voltage switching (ZVS) region of a dual active bridge (DAB) converter with wide band-gap (WBG) power semiconductor device is analyzed. The ZVS region of a DAB converter varies depending on output power and voltage ratio. The DAB converters operate with hard switching at light loads, it is difficult to achieve high efficiency. Fortunately, WBG power semiconductor devices have excellent hard switching characteristics and can increase efficiency compared to silicon (Si) devices. In particular, WBG devices can achieve ZVS at low load currents due to their low parasitic output capacitance (Co,tr) characteristics. Therefore, in this paper, the ZVS operating resion is analyzed based on the characteristics of Si, silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN). Power semiconductor devices. WBG devices with low Co,tr operate at ZVS at lower load currents compared to Si devices. To verify this, experiments are conducted and the results are analyzed using a 3 kW DAB converter. For Si devices, ZVS is achieved above 1.4 kW. For WBG devices, ZVS is achieved at 700 W. Due to the ZVS conditions depending on the switching device, the DAB converter using Si devices achieves a power conversion efficiency of 91% at 1.1 kW output. On the other hand, in the case of WBG devices, power conversion efficiency of more than 98% is achieved under 11 kW conditions. In conclusion, it is confirmed that the WBG device operates in ZVS at a lower load compared to the Si device, which is advantageous in increasing light load efficiency.