CIRCUIT

TOPOLOGIES FOR SINGLE-PHASE VOLTAGE-DOUBLER BOOST RECTIFIERS

John C. Salmon
Department of Electrical Engineering, 238 Civil/Electrical Building,
University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, CANADA, T6G 2G7
Ph#: (403) 492 7037 Fax#:(403) 493 1811 E-mail: salmon@bode.ee.ualberta.ca

Abstract
A new family of single-phase voltage-doubler pwm boost
rectifiers is presented in this paper. By examining the switching
states of several "standard" single-phase boost rectifier circuits,
three characteristic pwm voltage switching patterns are identified:
unipolar pwm; bipolar pwm and phase-adjusted unipolar pwm.
From this analysis, an equivalent family of voltage-doubler
means of generating a high voltage output. This circuit can claim
to have a high power conversion efficiency but with a non-optimal
pwm switching pattern: bipolar pwm.
The voltage-doubler rectifiers shown in Figs. 2(a), 2(c), 2(d)
and 2(e), are described in detail in this paper. For comparison
purposes, the voltage-doubler rectifiers are shown beside their
equivalent "standard" boost rectifier.
-+ E
I T 1

rectifiers is derived. When high output voltages are required,

voltage-doubler rectifiers are shown to be able to generate ac-line
currents with the lowest current distortion. All circuits presented in
this paper are examined using circuit simulators and experimental
results. -E
l ( a ) I-switch 2(a) 1-switch
I Introduction +E

Single-phase pulse-width-modulated (pwm) rectifiers have

been the source of interest in the literature [1]-[lo]. Tougher
regulations on the harmonics generated by electronic equipment,
together with lower costs of control circuits and power 1 J
E
semiconductors, have made pwm boost rectifiers more attractive in
I(b) 4-switch with bipolar pwm 2(b) 2-switch haifbridge
recent years. This paper is concerned with voltage-doubler boost
rectifier circuit topologies. These rectifiers are used to generate I T
+E
I
high per-unit output voltages whilst controlling the rectifier input
current waveshape to achieve unity power factor (up0 current at a
low distortion. Each circuit within the family of voltage-doubler
rectifiers has a specific performance feature, such as: high
efficiency; low cost and low current distortion levels. Analysis of E

circuit functionality shows that voltage-doubler rectifiers can l ( c ) 2-switch H-bridge 2(c) 2-switch
generate an output voltage twice as large as an equivalent +E
"standard' boost rectifier with the same ac-line current distortion.

II Circuit topologies
Several "standard" pwm boost rectifier topologies have been
described in the literature in recent years, see Fig. 1 and references I(d) asymmetrical half-bridge 2(d) 3-switch
[1]-[lo]. The single switch rectifier, shown in Fig. I(a), has one of
+E
the simplest circuit structures. The 2-switch H-bridge, see Fig. l(c)
[4]& [7], performs the same switching action as the single-switch
rectifier but has the advantage of higher efficiencies. The 4-switch
H-bridge rectifier, see Figs. l(b) and I(e), can produce sinewave
currents of a higher quality than the single-switch rectifier: the
bridge can be operated with unipolar or bipolar pwm switching
I(e) 4-switch with unipolar pwm 2(e) 4-switch
patterns. The asymmetric-half-bridge is a 2-switch alternative to
the 4-switch H-bridge, see Fig. l(d) and [9-lo]. The 2-switch Fig. I "standard" boost pwm Fig. 2 voltage-doubler pwm
half-bridge voltage-doubler rectifier, see Fig. 2(b), is a low cost rectifiers boost rectijiers

549
0-7803-0485-3/92$3.00 0 1992 IEEE

1

I11 PWM switching patterns
This section, with reference to the voltage waveform denoted
v"., describes the switching states and pwm switching patterns of
the rectifiers shown in Fig. 1. The switching patterns are assumed
to be generated by a hysteresis current controller. The controller is
assumed to choose switching states that best re-produce the ideal
"time-averaged'' waveforms, see [ 101. This is achieved by
comparing the inductor current with a reference current template
using a hysteresis comparator. The switching states of the proposed
voltage-doubler circuits are examined and compared with the
single-gain boost rectifks.
( i ) per-unit system
The base quantities for the per-unit system are defined as:
vbpse=vs IB*E=Vs/[ O L ] ZbpSe=OL fbodc=fs (1)
The following table defies the circuit parameters used in this
paper together with their per-unit symbols (per-unit values are
idenflied with a "-" located above the symbol):
source voltage. vS: V, rectifier inductance, E:
--
rms ac-line current, I.: T. rms demandcurrent, ID: b
current hysteresis band, A I d supply frequency, f.: f,
output dc voltage, E: f?
This per-unit system places the per-unit output dc voltage, E,
at 1.414 (42) when the output dc voltage, E, is equal in magnitude
to the peak of the ac input voltage ( = 42 vS).The line current is
scaled relative to the size of the rectifier inductor.
The demand current, In. is an important parameter. The
rectifier controller may demand a specific current magnitude, but
the actual rms line current drawn, Is, may differ due to current
distortion. This is a useful base system since the ac-line current
distortion is dependent upon the size of the inductance. The
demand current is assumed to be a sinusoidal waveshape in phase
with the line voltage. A I is the peak magnitude of the current
hysteresis band.
(ii) "standard"boost rectifier switching states
Any boost rectifier circuit uses an inductor in series with the
ac source, see Fig. 3. Since the rectifiers have an output capacitor
with a voltage E, three fundamental switching states exist for
resultant inductor voltage YI, see Fig. 3.
Fig. 3 General circuit for 1- p h e boost rectijiir circuits.
550
T
The inductor voltage associated with each of these switching
states can be used to classify the switching characteristics of each
of the boost rectifiers.
F.4 = FJ- E: since the output voltage is normally larger than the ac-
line voltage, this switching state is used to decrease the magnitude
of the ac-line current.
F.4 m: This switching state increases the absolute magnitude of the
ac-line current. However, if the current reference template is
increasing rapidly, such as at the beginning of each half-cycle of
the mains ac voltage, this switching state can be used to reduce the
magnitude of the ac-line current relative to the reference template.
F.4 = E: This switching state tends to increase the magnitude of
+
the ac-line current at a much faster rate than would be obtained by
using only the ac-line voltage V,. This switching state is useful at
the beginning of each half-cycle of the mains voltage, where the
current reference can be increasing rapidly.
(iii) rectifEr switching states
Table I lists the permissible switching states for each rectifier
using the inductor voltage classification shown in Fig. 3. The
rectifier switching states are given for both half-cycles of the ac-
mains voltage.
The single-switch rectifier has the same switching states as the
2-switch H-bridge. This implies that the performance of these two
rectifiers are identical in terms of current distortion. However, the
2-switch rectifier has a higher power conversion efficiency due to
the lower number of devices in series with the current.
The asymmetrical half-bridge has the same switching states as
the 4-switch H-bridge. This implies that the performance of these
two rectifiers are identical in terms of current distortion. However,
the asymmetrical half-bridge has a fewer number of switches, and
the H-bridge rectifier has a higher power conversion efficiency.
The 2-switch half-bridge voltage-doubler cannot generate a
zero voltage loop for f ~ This
. can be a disadvantage in terms of
achieving low switching frequencies. However the small number of
devices in series with the current makes this rectifier very efficient.
- - Sin& 2-switch 111 ~SYU
IX
I.I 2-sWitch
switch H-bridge H-Mdge half- half-bridge
-
"J
Yr
bridge v. doubler
positive
cycle
negative
cycle
Table I "standard" boost rectifier switching states
(iv) Boost rectifwr pwm waveforms 4-switch: This is a high performance rectifier with low input
Using the voltage waveform ;", the pwm switching patterns of current distortion. A high power factor is possible at high per-unit

+++
each of the rectifiers can be classified into three types: current magnitudes. This rectifier has a relatively switch
unipolar pwm: rW switches between +E and zero in the component count.
positive cycle of ac source, and between -,? and zero in the
negative cycle. Table I shows that both the single-switch and two- 1 -switch 2-switch 3 -switch 4 -switch
switch rectifiers generate this type of waveform. Distortion of the
ac-line current is inevitable at the start of each cycle since the pwm positive
waveform is not capable of generating the desired value for L, [ 101
bipolar pwm: ;.switches between +E and -E in both halves of cycle
the ac mains cycle. Table I shows that the 2-switch half-bridge
voltage doubler and the 4-switch H-bridge can generate this type of
waveform, see also [lo]. This waveform permits negative and
positive time-averaged values of cwin both half-cycles of the ac negative
voltage and the desired ideal time-averaged waveform can be
generated for upf operation [lo]. However, bipolar pwm is cycle
commonly associated with elevated switching frequencies and
significant high frequency current distortion.
phase-adjusted unipolar pwm: switches between +E and 0
or -,? and 0 in both half cycles of the ac voltage, depending upon
whether the ideal time-averaged value for is negative or positive, numbex of

see [lo]. Table I shows that both the 4-switch H-bridge and the devices in
asymmetrical half-bridge can generate this type of waveform. series with

However, unlike bipolar pwm, the unipolar nature of the voltage the current
not not 1 1
waveform tends to lower device switching frequencies or,
possible possible
alternatively, to lower the current distortion.

Table II. Switching states of the voltage-doubler boost rectifiers.

( v ) Voltage-doubler boost rectifwrs
The switching actions of existing "standard" pwm rectifiers
Voltage-doubler rectifiers permit the generation of a large
can be duplicated in voltage-doubler rectifier topologies. Figs. 1
output dc voltage with the advantage of having an input
and 2 are drawn beside each other to place equivalent rectifier
performance of the equivalent "standard' rectifier operating at half
circuits beside each other. Table II lists the switching states of the
the output voltage. Voltage-doublers have switching frequencies
remaining voltage-doubler circuits and can be compared with the
and current distortion levels that are lower than the equivalent
switching states in Table I.
"standard" rectifier producing the same output voltage and power
flow. Since voltagedoublers have the same number of switches as
I-switch: This is a low cost rectifier, see Fig. 2(a), suitable for
their "standard" rectifier counterparts, there are no significant
operation at low per-unit current magnitudes. A low switch count
economic reasons for choosing one rectifier over its equivalent
is obtained at the cost of a poor power conversion efficiency.
rectifier. However, devices in the voltage-doubler can, in some
2-switch halfbridge: This is a relatively low cost rectifier, see
cases, be exposed to half the voltage drop that the "standard"
Fig. 2(b), suitable for operation at high per-unit current
rectifier would be exposed to. This can mean an increased
magnitudes. A low switch count is obtained at a much higher
reliability or, alternatively, devices can be chosen with lower
power conversion efficiency than the single-switch rectifier.
voltage ratings.
However, the rectifier uses high switching frequencies for any
The following sections in this paper examine the switching
given current distortion level.
patterns of the voltage-doublers in greater detail. For this purpose,
2-switch: This is a relatively low cost rectifier, see Fig. 2(c),
reference is made to waveforms obtained from practical
suitable for operation at low per-unit current magnitudes. A low
experiments and from circuit simulators.
switch count is obtained at a higher power conversion efficiency
Reference is also made to waveforms obtained from the
than the single-switch rectifier.
"standard" boost rectifiers. Distortion analysis of the ac-line current
3-switch: This is a high performance rectifier with low input
is used to illustrate performances of different circuit operations.
current distortion. A high power factor is possible at high per-unit
current magnitudes. A poor rectifier efficiency is obtained. This
circuit has one more switch than the "standard" rectifier equivalent
circuit.
551
 IV(a) 1-switch voltage-doubler
The results of a circuit simulator. shown in Fig. 4. illustrates
the functional operation of this rectifier. A low per-unit demand
current was chosen for these waveforms.
Oms
Fig. 4 1-switch voltage-doubler simulated wavejom
The waveform for V U illustrates that this rectifier produces
unipolar pwm waveforms: unipolar pwm waveforms result in
current waveforms with a low distortion. However, the line
current, is, can be highly distorted at the beginning of each half-
cycle. This is caused by the !act that the rectifier cannot produced
the switching state: H = F A + E . Fig. 4 also shows the currents iD2
and i ~ 3 These
. waveforms illustrate that energy is passed to the
upper and lower capacitors every alternate half-cycle, see Fig.
2(a). This is very characteristic of voltage-doublerrectifiers.
Figs. 5 and 6 show experimental waveforms that compare the
operation of the "standard' 1-switch rectifier with the voltage-
doubler equivalent circuit. A large per-unit current was chosen, ID
= 0.75, and each rectifier was made to operate with the same input
and output voltages: E = 200 V and Vs = 50 V. The same per-unit
hysteresis band was also used in both tests. The figures show the
rectifiers generating the same output voltage and drawing the same
line current with an identical current ripple. However, the
"standard" rectifier has a higher switching frequency than the
voltage-doubler: examination of the waveforms show that the
switching frequency is approximately double.
One could also conclude that if the rectifiers were operated
with the same switching frequency with a small per-unit current
demand, then the voltage-doubler would produce ac-line currents
20 ms
with approximately half the current distortion of the "standard
rectifier.

ov

OA

- J..-- I ! T 1 1 I I I

5(a) Line current and rectrir input voltage: is & vu 6(a) Line current and rectifir input voltage: is & vu

-~
2ms 9 lOnV 1OnV 2" SA lOmV 5nV 2" St

5(b) io1 5(C) I T l . Vn 6(b) im io3 6(C) I T l , Vn

Scales: voltage: 1 &<=100V. current: 1 h v =1A. t t m ~l&v = 2nd ~coles:volts@?. 1 &v=SOV. current. 1 &v = I A , MU: l&v.= 2mS
Fig.5 I-switch st&d rectijiir waveform . vF sov. E= 200 v Fig. 6 1-switch voltage-doubler w a v e f o r m r : v , = SOV,E= 200

552
 IV( b) 2-switch half- bridge voltage-doubler
This circuit, see Fig. 2(b), has been described in the literature
and the discussion presented here concentrates upon assessing and
comparing the performance of the circuit with rectifiers that
produced phase-adjusted unipolar pwm; such as the 4-switch
"standard" H-bridge and the 4-switch voltage-doubler, see Figs.
l(e) and 2(e) respectively.
Figs. 7 and 8 show the results of spice circuit simulations.
The per-unit output voltage was chosen to be 2.2 and the per-unit
demand current was chosen to be 1.0 with a per-unit peak current
hysteresis band of 0.025. The waveforms shown are the per-unit
line current,is, and per-unit rectifier voltage,cu, for the "standard"
4-switch H-bridge and the 2 switch half-bridge voltage-doubler
rectifiers respectively. The voltage waveform of the "standard*4-
switch is a phase-adjusted unipolar pwm waveform whilst the 2-
switch half-bridge voltage-doubler uses a bipolar pwm waveform.
The current distortion of the ac-line currents were obtained
taking harmonics up to 190 (= 11.4 kHz) . The current distortion of
the 2-switch voltage-doubler was measured at 1.94 % and the 4-
switch H-bridge was measured at 2.1 %. However, the switching
frequency of the 2-switch doubler is much higher than the 4-switch
H-bridge. The converse is also true, with the same switching
frequency, the 2-switch voltagedoubler produces a higher current
distortion. These observations are caused by the differences
between the performance of unipolar pwm voltage waveforms and
bipolar voltage waveforms.
The main advantage of the 2-switch voltage-doubler is its low
component count and the small number of devices in series with
the current (one).

* I
0 10 10 0 (0 Io

7(a) Line current :1, B(a) Line current :13

r----
--- ......... --

....
2 2

..................
I I

0 0

z 2

............ .i . .
1 1

0 10 m 0 10 10

7(b)rectifier voltage: 8(b)rectijier voltage: cu

Scales: voltage & current are in p e r - u t . time: plot wdth= 20mS Scales: voltage & currenf are in per-unit: time: plot width= 2 0 d
Fig. 7 Phase-adjusted unipolarpwm: E =2.2 P.u., b = 1 p.u. Fig. 8 Bipolarpwm: E = 2.2 P.u., ID = 1 p . u .

553
 IV(c) 2-switch voltage-doubler
The results of a circuit simulator, shown in Fig. 9, illustrate
the functional operation of this rectifier. A low per-unit demand
current was chosen for these waveforms.
switch circuit is the lower number of devices in series with the
current, see table II. This can allow the circuit to have a higher
power conversion efficiency. An additional advantage of the 2-
switch circuit could be the smaller overall number of
semiconductor devices. This could make the circuit smaller with a
smaller heatsink. This could result in a smaller size and weight,
and possibly a lower cost.

1OmV SmV SAVE

I. I

OmS 20 ms
l q a ) Line current and rectifmr input voltage: is & vu
Fig. 9 2-swirch voltage-doubler simulated wavefwm

The waveform for V U illustrates that this rectifier produces

unipolar pwm waveforms: unipolar pwm waveforms result in
current waveforms with a low distortion. However, the line
current, is. is distorted at the beginning of each halfcycle. This is
caused by the>ct that the rectifier cannot produce the switching
state: HsFd+E . Fig. 9 also shows the currents io2 and i ~ 3 These
.
waveforms illustrate that energy is passed to the upper and lower
capacitors every alternate half-cycle, see Fig. 2(c). This is very
characteristic of voltage-doubler rectifiers.
Fig. 10 shows ezperimental waveforms where a large per-unit
current was chosen, ID =i 0.75. with input and output voltages: E =
200 V and Vs = 50 V. These settings are identical to the ones used
for the 1-switch voltage-doubler waveforms shown in Fig. 6. 1O(b) io4 , io3 I q c ) iTPiD1. Wl
Comparisons of the waveforms shown in Fig. 6 and those in Fig. Scabs: voltage: I div=SW, current: 1 div.=IA. dnu: I div.= 2 d
10 reveal that the ac-lie current and rectifier voltage v y are almost Fig. 10 2-switch voltage-doubler: Vs= SOV, 2*E = 200 V
identical. As a result, the operation of these two rectifiers can be
assumed to be very similar.
The magnitude of the voltage waveform ~1 in Fig. 10 can be
compared with the switch voltage waveform of the standard 1-
switch rectifier in Fig. 5. The 2-switch voltage doubler, and also
the 1-switch voltage doubler, exposes the switches to a lower
voltage drop than the equivalent "standard" rectifier. This fact can
be used to increase the reliability of the circuit or to use switches
with lower voltage ratings.
The single switch voltage-doubler has only one switch as
compare to the 2-switch voltage-doubler. This could give the
former circuit a cost advantage. The main advantage of the two
554
 IV(d) 4-switch voltage-doubler
The results of a circuit simulator, shown in Fig. 11, illustrate
the functional operation of this rectifier. A large per-unit demand
current was chosen for these waveforms.
Otd
Fig. 11 &witch voltage-doubler simulated waveform
12(a) Line current and rectifier input voltage: is & vu
12(b) i ~ 3in
. & iM- i ~ 4 I2(c) iTI-
Scales: voltage: 1 div=loOV, current: 1 div.=lA. time: ldiv.= 2nd
Fig. 12 4-switch rectifEr with bipolar pwm at the beginning of
each half-cycle: V, = SOV, E = 200 V
The waveform for V , illustrates that this rectifier can produce
phase-adjusted unipolar pwm waveforms. The line current, is.
never deviates from the hysteresis current bounds and has a low
current distortion. The io2 and io3 current waveforms are typical of
voltagedoubler rectifiers.
Figs. 12 and 13 show experimental waveforms that compare
the operation of the rectifier using bipolar switching and unipolar
switching at the beg@ning of each half-cycle. A large per-unit
current was chosen, ID = 0.75, and each rectifier was made to
operate with the same input and output voltages: E = 200 V and V,
= 50 V. The same per-unit hysteresis band was also used in both
tests. Thus, the figures show the rectifiers generating the same
output voltage and drawing the same line current with an identical
current ripple magnitude.
Applying bipolar switching at the beginning of each cycle, is
the simpler and more reliable switching strategy. Adopting
unipolar pwm in this region requires turning on either T3 or T4 to
increase the current, and turning on either Ti or TZto generate the
zero voltage and so decrease the current relative to the current
demand. This action requires siflicant overlaps when turning on
and off the devices.
20 td Unipolar switching in the first portion of each cycle, tends to
produce a lower switching frequency or a lower current ripple.
ov ov
OA
OA
1 I _ L L U . L i
13(a) Line current and rectifier input voltage: is & vu
io1 I3(b) io3. in im- i ~ 4 1 3 ( ~ i)n - io1
Scales: voltage: 1 div=SOv, current: 1 div.=lA. time: ldiv.= 2nd
Fig. 13 4-switch voltage-doubler with unipolar pwm at the
beginning of each half-cycle: V, = SOV, 2*E = 200
555
 IV(e) 3-switch voltage-doubler
The results from a circuit simulator, shown in Fig. 14,
illustrate the functional operation of this rectifier using a high per-
unit demand current. The waveforms show that this circuit can
generate phase-adjusted pwm waveforms for producing ac-line
currents with low distortion. The action of this rectifier is very
similar to the 4-switch rectifier. The main disadvantage of this
circuit is its lower efficiency due the larger number of devices in
series with the current. The circuit’s advantage, relative to the 4-
switch circuit is its use of one less switch.
I.
4.
I phase voltage-sourced reversible rectifier”, IEE Proc. , vol.
0 ms 20 mls
Fig. 14 3-switch voltage-doubler simulated waveform
V Conclusions
The results from circuit simulators were used to confii the
circuit functionality of several new voltage-doubler rectifier circuit
topologies. The family of rectifiers described, represent a dual to
the family of “standard” pwm boost rectifiers. The paper
investigates the performance of the “standard” rectifiers and the
voltagedoubler rectifiers with reference to the circuit operation and
the ac-supply current distortion. The new family of circuits is
shown to be able of producing unipolar, bipolar and phase-adjusted
unipolar voltage pwm patterns identical to the “standard” boost
rectifier circuit topologies. The circuit family represents circuit
alternatives based upon the number of switches used in the
rectifier. A small number of switches can be used for low cost, but
poor quality ac currents are generated if high per-unit current
magnitudes are used. Alternatively, 4 switches can be used to
generate high quality waveforms.
556
Acknowledgements
The author wishes to thank NSERC, Canada and the
University of Alberta for providing funding and facilities used in
this work. Particular recognition is given to Albert Huizinga for his
patience and help in obtaining the experimental results used in this
Paper.
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