IET Power Electronics

Patent Article

Configurations of DC–DC converters of one ISSN 1755-4535

Received on 25th October 2019
Revised 12th February 2020
input and multiple outputs without Accepted on 16th March 2020
E-First on 22nd April 2020
transformer doi: 10.1049/iet-pel.2019.1251
www.ietdl.org

Eladio Durán1 , Salvador P. Litrán2, María Bella Ferrera2

1Dpto.de Ing. Electrónica, de Sist. Infor. y Aut. University of Huelva, Spain
2Dpto.de Ingeniería Eléctrica y Térmica, de Diseño y Proyectos, University of Huelva, Spain
E-mail: aranda@uhu.es

Abstract: This study describes the methodology and the basic procedure developed by the patent entitled New Configurations
of DC -DC Converters of One Input and Multiple Outputs without Transformer and Power Converter that Apply Them. The
invention is related with new configurations of DC -DC converters of single input and multiple outputs (SIMO), without a
transformer, with a single power switch, and therefore a single control circuit, which results in a smaller size, lower weight and
simplicity compared to other known SIMO DC–DC configurations. In a novel form, it comprises at least two converters which
share the DC source, an inductor and the power switch. This is obtained by the combination of basic converters: step-down
(buck), step-up (boost) and step-down/step-up (buck–boost) as ?uk converter, SEPIC (single ended primary inductance
converter), Zeta, CSC (canonical switching cell) and buck -boost single-inductor. A generalisation of the methodology developed
in this invention allows to obtain modular converters with 2N, 3N, 4N and 6N outputs and single input, from N converter
modules. The paper also relates to a power converter, comprising N (greater than or equal to 2) DC converters connected in
parallel, whose control signals have a phase shifting of 2π/N radians.

1 Introduction possible efficiency. DC–DC converters can be configured in

The interest in DC–DC switching converters is mainly based on the
innumerable applications where they are used. The importance of
DC–DC switching converters and its applications have caused that
all manufacturers currently develop an integrated power solution.
Depending on integration level, it can give rise to controllers
PWM, switching regulators or power modules, in non-isolated and
isolated versions for a wide range of voltages, currents and powers.
This has caused the global market for DC–DC converter growth
5.7% in 2018 compared to 3% growth between 2016 and 2017 [1].
This growth is mainly due to four sectors of the electronic industry:
• Mobile Phone Industry: Due to the huge increase in the use of
the mobile phone and battery management systems. It was
recently reported that it has doubled since 2015. It is estimated
that ∼1.5 billion smartphones will be manufactured in the
coming years.
• Internet of Things (IoT): Where the demand for smart devices
and wireless sensors that mainly operate in a sleep mode, and
where DC–DC converters help to extend battery life, it will
cause more than 20 billion new IoT devices to be deployed in
2020, which will mean 100% growth in the number of these
devices in the next years to come.
• The Automotive Industry of Hybrid and fully Electric Vehicles
(HEV/EV): Which has grown significantly. These advances have
also been extended to vehicles with combustion engines, in the
form of advanced driver assistance systems, which allows a
more intelligent, comfortable and safe driving, with a higher
automotive safety integrity level.
• The Lighting Sector: Through technology light-emitting diode
(LED) and organic LED, which have provided more reliable and
efficient light sources. Being the LED lighting market one of the
applications that has experienced the greatest growth. LED
lighting sector will help drive the power supply market to an
expected value of $30.9 billion by 2021 [2].
A DC–DC power converter is similar to a transformer in the AC–
AC system. Its main objective is to transfer electrical power, in the
form of direct current, with the lowest losses, and with the highest
isolated and non-isolated versions to realise voltage or current step-
down (buck), step-up (boost) or both step-down/step-up (buck–
boost). Depending on the number of inputs and outputs, multi-port
DC–DC converters can be classified in SISO (single-input single-
output) [3], MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) [4, 5], MISO
(multiple-input single-output) [6, 7] and SIMO (single-input
multiple-output) [8, 9]. DC–DC SIMO configurations are widely
used in applications where several output voltages with different
magnitude, different conversion relation and different polarities are
required. Traditionally, this can be done with several switchers or
linear regulators (one per output), powered by the same source; or
with a transformer with several windings like Flyback, Forward,
Push–Pull, Half-Bridge and Full-Bridge (H-Bridge) converters; and
non-isolated DC–DC converters as integrated dual-output
converters, integrated multiple-output converters, and single-input
multiple-output (SIMO) converters [10–12].
In this sense, this work describes the methodology and the basic
procedure developed by the patent entitled New Configurations of
DC–DC Converters of One Input and Multiple Outputs without
Transformer and Power Converter that Apply Them [13]. The
proposed methodology allows the derivation of DC–DC SIMO
converters without transformer by the combination of basic SISO
DC–DC converters: step-down (buck), step-up (boost) and step-
down/step-up (buck–boost) as Ćuk converter, SEPIC (single ended
primary inductance converter), Zeta, CSC (canonical switching
cell) and buck–boost single-inductor. A generalisation of the
methodology developed in this invention also allows to obtain
modular converters with 2N, 3N, 4N and 6N outputs and single
input, from N converter modules. To satisfy the high current
requirements in higher power applications, the multiphase
configuration with proposed SIMO converters can be employed to
realise the interleaved DC–DC converters, operating from the same
input with the same output voltage. The generalised configurations
with M phases allow to rise the power level, to minimise the
current ripple, and to improve the transient response.
The paper is organised as follows: in Section 2, an overview of
the technical aspects of the existing SIMO patents is realised, 20
patents have been consulted from the repositories for the patent
documents, the European Patent Office [14], the United States

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Patent and Trademark Office [15] and the Japan Patent Office
(JPO) [16]. In Section 3, the proposed methodology and the work
developed in the patent is explained; in Section 4, the results are
discussed by simulation and some experimental prototypes based
on the proposed methodology are presented. Finally, some
conclusions are given in Section 5.
2 Overview SIMO DC–DC converters inventions
Traditionally SIMO DC–DC converters have been implemented
with galvanic isolation, by means a transformer with several
windings, either with a power switch or several power switches.
Meanwhile, multiple-output combined converter with a single
switch is a very cost-effective solution. They can be used in
countless applications of electrical power supplies. Given its
applications, in recent years different techniques have been
developed for multiple DC outputs and different voltage levels.
These applications are related to telecommunications,
microelectronics, lighting (including electronic ballasts and LED),
power supplies and hybrid/electric vehicles (HEV/EV), and also
other like renewable applications where DC–DC multi-output
converters are needed; such as solar multilevel DC–AC converter,
multiple-outputs maximum power point tracking single-switch,
integrated wind/PV hybrid systems, as well as power factor
correction with multiple-outputs [8–12]. In this way, different
embodiments and claims have been made in the form of patents,
for SIMO DC–DC converters with a transformer. Pat. No.
US5815380 Mader et al. [17] relate a system with a transformer
that has multiple secondary windings. A controlled switch is
connected in series with the primary winding. It provides multiple
regulated output voltages. Pat. No. US4593346A Nooijen and
Bergmans [18] describe a power circuit with a transformer. The
circuit converts a DC input into two voltage outputs of the DC
type. Pat. No. US5663874A Dahlinger and Farnsworth [19] relate a
DC–DC flyback converter with multiple outputs. For its operation,
synchronous rectification system with control on constant time and
current mode is included. Pat. No. US5815380 Ćuk and Zhang [20]
describe a switching converter with one input and multiple outputs.
The proposed system has an isolation transformer and has a control
circuit which acts on the primary of the transformer that allows the
regulation of the output voltage due to changes in the input voltage
and against changes in the load current. With the control strategy
used, the converter always works in continuous conduction mode
(CCM). In Pat. No. US6069804A Ingman et al. [21] proposed a
multiple output multi-directional power converter it has an input
bi-directional switch with transformer (coupled inductor).
Also, some configurations SIMO DC–DC converters without a
transformer, with one or several inductors and several controllable
switches have been patented. Pat. No. US5412308A Brown [22]
describes a system and a procedure which allows two regulated
voltage outputs to be obtained from an input voltage source. The
described apparatus is characterised by its high efficiency. The
input voltage may vary over a wide range. In Pat. No.
US6075295A Li [23] proposed a power converter with one input
and two or more output voltages. The converter has only one
inductor. Each output includes a switch that controls the energy
delivered to an output capacitor. Pat. No. US7256568B2 Lam et al.
[24] relate an SIMO DC–DC switching converter which
multiplexes different input power sources and provides multiple
regulated output voltages. The system includes a single inductor.
Multiplexing is achieved with the switching devices of the
converter, which eliminates the need for a power multiplexer. The
output voltages obtained can be used to power different electronic
equipment and at the same time, it can be used to charge batteries.
Pat. No. US20080231115A1 Cho and Le [25] present a converter
with a single inductor that allows the distribution of energy from
one source to more than one output. The system includes an
inductor for power storage, a load switch connected in series with
the inductor and N output switches, one for each available output.
In Pat. No. US20090039711A1 Williams [26] proposed a two-
output dual polarity inductive boost converter which includes an
inductor and four controllable switches. Pat. No.
US20100039080A1 Schoenbauer and Martin-Lopez [27] relate a
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converter with a single inductor and with buck–boost capacity. The
output voltage is regulated and bipolar which allows to feed a
positive load and a negative load. The DC current through the
inductor is controlled by means of a five-switch bridge. The
controller will direct the current through the inductor to the
appropriate outputs or ground, it is necessary to maintain the
regulation. Pat. No. US20110043181A1 Jing and Mok [28]
describe a regulator having a voltage source, several switching
devices, an inductor and a controller. The controller coordinates the
trigger of the switches so that it periodically and sequentially
switches to the inductor to generate several regulated output
voltages. In Pat. No. US20100194359A1 Notman [29] proposed a
DC–DC converter which allows several voltage outputs with
different levels to be obtained from a single input source. The
converter uses a single inductor and an arrangement of six switches
that allow the input voltage to be connected through the inductor in
both the forward and reverse directions. In general, these circuits
have a high interest for designers as they are small. In addition,
with a single inductor it is possible to generate multiple DC output
voltages. The minimisation of the number of inductors is always
interesting since these cannot be included in the integrated circuits
and must be added as external components to the chip, with the
consequent increase in the volume of the circuit, the increase in the
cost of the packaging and its greater complexity in the connection
of the inductor. In Pat. No. US20100283322A1 [30] a method is
provided for supplying power to multiple output channels. Each
channel control signal is associated with one of the output channels
and a controllable switch. Different embodiments and alternatives
are claimed based on Boost and flyback configurations. Pat. No.
EP2262086B1 Darraba and Fouilleul [31] relate to a DC–DC
converter that serves as a power source for a safety device for use
in vehicles. The converter has an input stage to which the voltage
source is connected. A first stage output with a switched converter
is configured to provide the first output voltage. A second output
stage with switched converter is configured to generate a second
output voltage. In Pat. No. US8674669B2 Chen [32] proposed a
single inductor in a multiple output DC–DC converter with several
outputs and coupled inductors to the common node. It is based on
half-bridge structures. The main advantage is the good regulation
of the outputs due to coupling between inductors. In Pat. No.
US20100002473A1 Williams [33] proposed several dual outputs
with several controllable switches. In Pat. No. WO2014152967A3
Calhoun and Shrivastava [34] disclosed an apparatus which
includes a DC–DC converter circuit with single-inductor and
multiple-output, having a set of output nodes. Additionally, each
output node is uniquely associated with a supply voltage rail from
the set of supply voltage rails. In Pat. No. US20150311791A1 [35]
a single inductor multiple output DC–DC converter is provided. It
establishes a DC voltage in a first node and a DC voltage in a
second node. It has two switches and one inductor. The first switch
is connected between the inductor and the first node and will be
activated when the voltage at the first node is below the DC
voltage set for it. The second switch is connected between the
inductor and the second node. This switch will be activated when
the voltage in the second node is below its reference voltage. In
Pat. No. EP2509202B1 Broeke [36] claimed a multiple output
switching circuit comprising several stages in cascaded; where the
power switches are operable to transfer power from its input to its
output. The switching circuit is a boost converter, a buck converter
or a flyback converter.
All patents analysed between 1971 and 2017 contemplate in
their invention the use of several power switches and/or a
transformer to obtain various output voltages from a single input. A
large number of published patents is an indication of the
importance of SIMO DC–DC converters.
3 Patented configuration description
Traditional structures of non-isolated converters are usually single-
input and single-output systems (SISO). Within these structures,
there are single-inductor topologies such as buck converter, boost,
CSC (canonical switching cell) and buck–boost. Other
configurations of the SISO type have also been described, which
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Fig. 1  Multiple-output-type converter combinations
(a) n-output-type Buck converter combination, (b) n-output-type Boost converter combination, (c) n-output-type Buck/Boost converter combination, (d) n-output-type Ćuk converter
combination
have two inductors, such as the Ćuk converter, the SEPIC (single
ended primary inductor converter) and the Zeta converter.
From these traditional structures of the SISO type, it is possible
to obtain other topologies that have an SIMO. Thus, each converter
has a front part in which a common node can be defined from
which N outputs [37] can be connected. The application of this
simple technique can lead to seven SIMO configurations, as shown
in Figs. 1 and 2.
An n-output SIMO converter is obtained from an SISO step-
down type as it is shown in Fig. 1a. This converter shares the same
input, which is composed of the power switch (S) and a diode (D).
he common connection node of each output is located in the
cathode of the diode. The n outputs can be connected to this node.
Each output will consist of an inductor, a capacitor to reduce the
ripple of the output voltage, and a load, in this case, represented by
a resistor.
Fig. 1b shows an SIMO converter, step-up and n outputs, which
is obtained from a basic configuration of a boost converter. In this
case, the common input to each output is composed of an inductor
(L1) and a power switch (S) connected to the reference node. The
common connection node is located between the inductor and the
switch. The diode of each output (D1 … Dn) is connected to this
node. The cathode of this diode and the circuit reference defines
each output, where it is connected to a capacitor, that acts as a filter
and the load.
An n-output step-down/step-up converter obtained from a buck/
boost type topology is presented in Fig. 1c. The common
connection node for each output is defined between the switch (S)
and the inductor (L1), which is connected to the reference node.
The cathode of the diodes of each output (D1 … Dn) are connected
to this node.
Another SIMO converter of the step-down/step-up type is the
one shown in Fig. 1d. This converter is based on the Ćuk topology.
The input consists of an inductor (L1) and a power switch (S)
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connected to the reference node. In this configuration, the common
node is located between the inductor and the switch. The capacitors
of each of the outputs (C1 … Cn) are connected from this common
connection node.
Fig. 2a shows a topology based on a CSC converter with n-
output. It is a step-down/step-up converter in which the input
shared by each output is formed by the power switch (S) and the
inductor (L1). The common connection node to all outputs is
located between the switch (S) and the input voltage source (Vg).
The capacitor of each output (C1 … Cn) is connected to the
common node. Each diode (D1 … Dn) is connected between the
capacitor and the connection point between the switch (S) and the
input inductor (L1).
The converter is shown in Fig. 2b is based on a Zeta topology;
therefore it is a step-down/step-up converter. Each output shares an
input formed by the switch (S) and the inductor (L1). The common
connection node for each output is located between the inductor
and the switch. At that point, each of the capacitors (C1 … Cn) of
each output is connected.
Finally, Fig. 2c shows an SIMO topology based on an SEPIC
type step-down/step-up converter with n-output. The common
input to all outputs consists of the switch (S) and the inductor (L1).
The common connection node is located between the switch and
the inductor.
A characteristic common to all these converters shown in
Figs. 1 and 2 is that all outputs are equal, which may reduce their
practical interest, though it can be interesting for some
applications.
Each proposed converter can operate in CCM and in
discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). The conversion ratios for
each operating mode depending on the step-down or step-up
converter are those included in Table 1.
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Fig. 2  Multiple-output-type converter combinations
(a) n-output-type CSC converter combination, (b) n-output-type Zeta converter combination, (c) n-output-type SEPIC converter combination

Table 1 Conversion relations for multiple-output-type converter combinations

CCM DCM
step-down converter V o1 = V o2 = ⋯ = V oN = V g D 2 ⋅ Vg
V o1 = V o2 = ⋯ = V oN =
V o1 8 ⋅ Leq .
Ig = D 1+ 1+
Req Req . ⋅ D2 ⋅ T s
4 ⋅ Vg
Ig = 2
8 ⋅ Leq .
Req . ⋅ 1 + 1 +
Req . ⋅ D2 ⋅ T s
step-up converter Vg Vg 2Req . ⋅ D2 ⋅ T s
V o1 = V o2 = ⋯ = V oN = V o1 = V o2 = ⋯ = V oN = 1+ 1+
1−D 2 Leq .
1 V o1 2
Ig = Vg 2Req . ⋅ D2 ⋅ T s
Req 1 − D Ig = 1+ 1+
4 ⋅ Req . Leq .
step-down/step-up converters D T S Req
V o1 = V o2 = ⋯ = V oN = V g V o1 = V o2 = ⋯ = V oN = V g D
1−D 2 Leq
V o1 D
Ig = V g D2 T S
Req 1 − D Ig =
2 Leq
1 1 1 1
With: = + +⋯+
Req . R1 R2 RN
For single inductor combination converters: Leq = L1
1 1 1 1
and: = + +⋯+
Leq . L1 L2 LN

Figs. 3 and 4 show some interesting configurations of two
outputs that provide different voltages and/or different polarity.
Topological analysis of each of the seven configurations shown in
Figs. 1 and 2, indicates that there are several of them that have an
input with the same elements and with the common connection
node of each input located in the same place. This allows these
converters to be combined, using the common front, giving rise to
new configurations of a single input and several outputs.
In this way, eight configurations of the two outputs can be
obtained. The advantage over those shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is that it
is possible to have outputs with different polarities and voltage
levels.
Fig. 3a shows a combination of a boost and a Ćuk converter.
The resulting converter has two different voltage levels for a given
duty cycle. In addition, the output on the Ćuk side is inverted. The
conversion ratio is the one shown in Fig. 3a.
Another combination is shown in Fig. 3b. This is the result of
combining a boost and an SEPIC converter. Two different voltage
levels are available for each output. Their conversion ratio is
shown in Fig. 3b.

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Fig. 3  Two-output-type converter combinations
(a) Boost-Ćuk converter combination, (b) Boost-SEPIC converter combination, (c) Buck/Boost-Zeta converter combination, (d) CSC-Boost converter combination

Fig. 4  Two-output-type converter combinations

(a) SEPIC-Ćuk converter combination, (b) CSC-Zeta converter combination, (c) CSC-Ćuk converter combination, (d) CSC-SEPIC converter combination

Fig. 3c shows a converter with one input and two outputs
formed by the combination of a Buck–Boost and a Zeta converter.
Both outputs have the same conversion ratio, however, the output
on the side of the Buck/Boost is inverted with respect to the input.
The combination of a CSC and a Boost converter gives rise to
the converter shown in Fig. 3d. Each output has a different voltage
level. In addition, the voltage on the side of the CSC converter is
floating.
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A converter formed by combining a SEPIC and a Ćuk converter
is shown in Fig. 4a. The two outputs have the same conversion
ratio, however, the output polarity on the Ćuk side is inverted.
The combination of a CSC and a Zeta converter is shown in
Fig. 4b. In this converter, the outputs have the same conversion
ratio. At the CSC converter side, the output is inverted with respect
to the input.
Fig. 4c shows the result of combining a CSC converter and a
Ćuk converter. In this case, the two outputs have the same
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Fig. 5  Two-output-type converter combinations for three loads
(a) Buck/Boost-Zeta converter combination, (b) Ćuk-Boost converter combination, (c) SEPIC-Ćuk converter combination, (d) CSC-Zeta converter combination
conversion ratio. As the most significant characteristics of this
converter, it should be noted that the output of the Ćuk side is
inverted and that the CSC side is floating.
Finally, Fig. 4d shows the combination of a CSC converter and
a SEPIC. The absolute values of the two output voltages have the
same conversion ratio.
These two-output combined converters can feed several loads.
In [38] a load bank is proposed following this methodology. In this
way, it is possible to have up to three different voltage levels. Fig. 5
shows four combined converter topologies of interest when these
loads are connected. These combinations are:
• Buck/Boost-Zeta converter combination, Fig. 5a.
• Ćuk-Boost converter combination, Fig. 5b.
• SEPIC-Ćuk converter combination, Fig. 5c.
• CSC-Zeta converter combination, Fig. 5d.
Each figure shows the value of the output voltage in the third load,
connected between the outputs of the combined converters.
It is also possible to combine converters of three, four, five and
six outputs, to obtain distributed voltages. Thus, the proposed
methodology can be extended to converters with one input and
three outputs. Figs. 6 and 7 show five combinations with different
converters and their conversion ratios. Everyone has in common a
single power switch and they are non-isolated topologies.
The proposed converters are as follows:
• SEPIC-Boost-Ćuk converter combination, Fig. 6a.
• CSC-Buck/Boost-Zeta converter combination, Fig. 6b.
• CSC-Boost-Zeta converter combination, Fig. 6c.
• CSC-Boost-SEPIC converter combination, Fig. 6d.
• CSC-Ćuk-SEPIC converter combination, Fig. 7.
Each of these converters can connect up to six loads with different
voltage levels. Thus, for the SEPIC-Boost-Ćuk converter
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combination, different loads can be connected with different
conversion ratios, as it is shown in Fig. 8.
Fig. 9 shows a combined converter of six outputs and single
input, without a transformer and with only one power switch,
obtained by applying the methodology developed in this invention.
A generalisation of the methodology developed in this
invention also allows to obtain modular converters with 2N, 3N, 4N
and 6N outputs and single input, from N converter modules.
In Fig. 10a a modular converter of 3N outputs and a single input
is shown, without a transformer and with only one power switch. It
consists of N modules of three-output Zeta-Buck/Boost converter
combinations. On the other hand, Fig. 10b shows a modular
converter of 3N outputs and a single input, without a transformer
and with only one power switch. It is constituted by N SEPIC-Ćuk-
Boost converter combinations of three outputs.
From the analysis previously performed and shown in Figs. 1–
10, the combination of various DC–DC converters is based on their
front-end. If two or more converters have identical front-ends, then
is possible their combination and rest of the converter parts are just
combined to this front end to realise multiple-output converters.
The front-end structure consists of supply voltage, inductor, and a
single switch. This allows us to combine the front-end structure of
one, two, three and up to six converters, to derive new
configurations with multiple output. The other main advantages of
combining topologies are: (i) Simple structure since converters are
designed with only one control power switch and allows to connect
multiple load, which simplifies the implementation of control
strategies since it is not necessary synchronisation of various
switches. (ii) Single driver circuit and switch also simplifies the
control strategies for proposed converters. (iii) High efficiency and
reduced size, since the high-frequency transformer is not required
to design proposed converters.
For high power applications, the methodology developed is
extended to converters coupled in parallel operating in interleaved
mode. This technique provides advantages respect to the
synchronous control (in phase, all the switches switch at the same
time) of converters in parallel: the input current to the converter
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Fig. 6  Three-output-type converter combinations
(a) SEPIC-Boost-Ćuk converter combination, (b) CSC-Buck/Boost-Zeta converter combination, (c) CSC-Boost-Zeta converter combination, (d) CSC-Boost-SEPIC converter
combination

(the output of the DC generator), exhibits lower harmonic content,

a more damped ripple and lower electromagnetic interference. In
addition, greater power capacity is achieved without reducing
efficiency.
Fig. 11 shows four combined converters connected in parallel,
with the interleaved operation, three outputs and a single input,
derived from the methodology developed in this invention.

4 Results and discussion

All topologies presented in this work were simulated and some
experimental prototypes were developed. In this section, the results
of the two converter combination will be presented. They are a
SEPIC-Boost-Ćuk combination converter with six loads (Fig. 8)
and a four-phase interleaved SEPIC-Ćuk combination converter
(Fig. 11).
From Fig. 8, the performance of SEPIC-Boost-Ćuk combination
converter with six loads can be evaluated in terms of devices stress,
input ripple and size of magnetic components. Table 2 summarises
average inductor currents, average current across the
semiconductors, the voltage stress on semiconductors and the
average voltage across the link capacitors. These parameters allow
to establish the operating conditions and the size of the elements
Fig. 7  Three-output-type CSC-Ćuk-SEPIC converter combination
and devices that make up the combined converter.

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Fig. 8  Three-output-type converter combination with six loads
Fig. 9  Six-output-type converter combinations
A generalisation of Table 2 also allows sizing modular
converters with N modules. Mainly, in this case, the variables
affected by the modular connection refer to the current terms; not
changing the voltage variables. Table 3 summarises the
performance of N modules of SEPIC-Boost-Ćuk combination
converter with six loads in current terms.
When the loads in the different modules are balanced, the
established currents are equal to N times that required by a single
module. When the loads in the different modules are not balanced,
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Fig. 10  Modular converters with N modules of three outputs
(a) N modules of Zeta-Buck/Boost converter combinations, (b) N modules of SEPIC-
Ćuk-Boost converter combinations
the established currents are given by a sum of currents, due to the
modular connection.
In the same way as in the design of an SISO converter, in the
design of SIMO converters, some basic rules must be taken into
account. So, the value of the inductance L1 must be chosen in such
a way that limit the ripple of the input current. Therefore, it must
be fulfilled
2665
Fig. 11  Four-phase interleaved SEPIC-Ćuk combination converter

Table 2 Performance of SEPIC-Boost-Ćuk combination converter with six loads (Fig. 8)

Average current across the semiconductors
V g ⋅ D2 1 1 1 4 2 1+D
IS, AVG = + + + +
1−D 2 R1 D ⋅ R2 R3 R1 − 3 D ⋅ R1 − 2
Vg ⋅ D 1 2 1+D
ID1, AVG = + +
1−D R1 R1 − 2 D ⋅ R1 − 3
Vg 1+D 1 1−D
ID2, AVG = + +
1−D R1 − 2 R2 R2 − 3
Vg ⋅ D 2 D−1 1
ID3, AVG = + +
1−D R1 − 3 D ⋅ R2 − 3 R3
average current across the inductors
V g ⋅ D2 1 1 1 1+D 2 4 1−D 2
IL1, AVG = + 2 + + 2 + + 2
1−D 2 R1 D R2 R3 D ⋅ R1 − 2 R1 − 3 D ⋅ R2 − 3
Vg ⋅ D 1 2 1+D
IL2, AVG = + +
1−D R1 R1 − 3 D ⋅ R1 − 2
Vg ⋅ D 1 2 D−1
IL3, AVG = + +
1−D R3 R1 − 3 D ⋅ R2 − 3
voltage stress on semiconductors
switch D1 D2 D3
Vg V g + V o1 V o2 V g + V o3
1−D
average voltage across the link capacitors
— VC1 VC2 —
— V g + V o1 Vg —

Vg 2Leq 2
Δi1 = D TS (1) > 1−D (2)
L1 RO T S

where Δi1 is the peak to peak value of the current through the For a step-up output the inequality will be
inductance L1.
The rest of the inductances can be calculated according to the 2 Leq 2
> D 1−D (3)
operating mode chosen for the converter: CCM or DCM. For CCM RO T S
operation and step-down/step-up output, the following inequality
must be satisfied: And for a step-down output

2666 IET Power Electron., 2020, Vol. 13 Iss. 12, pp. 2658-2670
© The Institution of Engineering and Technology 2020
 2 Leq
> 1−D
RO T S
where Leq is the equivalent inductance considering that all are in
parallel as it is indicated in Table 1. RO is the minimum value of
equivalent resistance from the output terminals.
Cuk, SEPIC, Zeta and CSC converters have a link capacitor. Its
value must be chosen so that the resonant frequency must be much
lower than the switching frequency. So, for the output kind SEPIC,
Cuk and Zeta the resonance frequency is given by
1 In the simulations performed, the load resistors are
ωr2 =
C1 L1 + L2
For CSC converter it is
1 are
ωr2 =
C1L1
Finally, for the selection of the output filtering capacitor, the
maximum desired ripple of the converter output voltage must be
taken into account.
According to these basic considerations, a SEPIC-Boost-Ćuk
converter combination with six loads has been designed. Fig. 8
shows the scheme of this converter. The input voltage Vg is 48 V,
the duty cycle is 1/5 and the switching frequency is 25 kHz. In this
way, the output voltages are
V O1 = − 12 V; V O2 = 60 V; V O3 = 12 V
The passive elements are chosen taking account the previous basic
considerations. The values obtained are shown in Table 4.
According to (1), the peak to peak value of the input current is
0.077 A. On the other hand, the converter works in CCM when (2)
is applied to the output of the SEPIC side and Ćuk side and when
(3) is applied to the output of the boost side. So, the next
inequalities must be fulfilled
RO1 < 130 Ω; RO2 < 651 Ω; RO3 < 130 Ω
where RO1 is the equivalent load resistance from the Ćuk output,
(4)
RO2 the equivalent load resistance from the Boost output and RO3
the equivalent load resistance from the SEPIC output.
Respect to the capacitors C1 and C2, the resonance frequency
must be quite lower than the switching frequency. For it, the
resonance frequency is fixed in 1/100 times the switching
frequency and (5) is applied, which resulted in a minimum capacity
of 40 µF. So, a capacity of 47 µF was chosen.
The capacities of the output capacitors, CO1, CO2 and CO3 were
of 470 µF. These values are chosen so that the output voltage
ripples are low.
(5)
R1 = R2 = R3 = R1 − 2 = 47 Ω; R1 − 2 = 216Ω; R2 − 3 = ∞
With these values the equivalent output resistors of each converter
(6)
RO1 = 10.9 Ω; RO2 = 37.5 Ω; RO3 = 15.0 Ω
This ensures that the converter works in CCM.
Fig. 12 shows the output voltage waveform. With this converter
it is possible to have up to six different output voltages. According
to the references of Fig. 8, they are
V O1 = − 12 V; V O2 = 60 V; V O3 = 12 V
V O1 − 2 = − 72 V; V O2 − 3 = 48 V; V O1 − 3 = 24 V
In all output voltages, the ripple is below 0.1%.
The average values of the input and output currents are
Ig = 2.5 A; IO1 = − 1.1 A; IO2 = 1.6 A; IO3 = 0.8 A
Fig. 13 shows the waveforms of each current. The input current, Ig,
is continuous and has a ripple of about 3%. The output current at
the Ćuk side, IO1, is continuous, however, the output current at the
Boost side, IO2, and SEPIC side, IO3, are discontinuous.
An experimental prototype has been developed with the same
values of passive components used to the simulations. Fig. 14

Table 3 Performance of N modules SEPIC-Boost-Ćuk combination converter with six loads

Average current across the semiconductors for N modules
N
V g ⋅ D2 1 1 1 4 2 1+D
IS, AVG =
1−D 2
∑ + + + +
R1 − N D ⋅ R2 − N R3 − N R1 − 3N D ⋅ R1 − 2N
1
N
Vg ⋅ D 1 2 1+D
ID1 − N , AVG =
1−D ∑ + +
R1 − N R1 − 2N D ⋅ R1 − 3N
1
N
Vg 1+D 1 1−D
ID2 − N , AVG =
1−D ∑ R1 − 2N
+
R2 − N
+
R2 − 3N
1
N
Vg ⋅ D 2 D−1 1
ID3 − N , AVG =
1−D ∑ + +
R1 − 3N D ⋅ R2 − 3N R3 − N
1
average current across the inductors for N modules
V g ⋅ D2 N 1 1 1 1+D 2 4 1−D 2
IL1, AVG = 2∑ R + 2 +
R
+ 2 +
R
+ 2
1−D 1 1−N D R2 − N 3−N D ⋅ R1 − 2N 1 − 3N D ⋅ R2 − 3N
N
Vg ⋅ D 1 2 1+D
IL2 − N , AVG =
1−D ∑ + +
R1 − N R1 − 3N D ⋅ R1 − 2N
1
N
Vg ⋅ D 1 2 D−1
IL3 − N , AVG =
1−D ∑ + +
R3 − N R1 − 3N D ⋅ R2 − 3N
1
voltage stress on semiconductors for N modules
switch D1−N D2−N D3−N
Vg V g + V o1 − N V o2 − N V g + V o3 − N
1−D
average voltage across the link capacitors for N modules
— VC1−N VC2−N —
— V g + V o1 − N Vg —

IET Power Electron., 2020, Vol. 13 Iss. 12, pp. 2658-2670 2667
© The Institution of Engineering and Technology 2020
Table 4 Passive component values of SEPIC-Boost-Ćuk combination converter with six loads
Inductances, mH Capacitance, µF
L1 L2 L3 C1 C2 Co1 Co2 Co3
5 5 5 47 47 470 470 47

Fig. 12  Output voltage waveforms for SEPIC-Boost-Ćuk combination

converter

Fig. 15  Experimental result of SEPIC-Boost-Ćuk combination converter,

currents, Ig (Channel C1: 2.0 A/div, − 0.5 A offset), Io1 (Channel C2: 2.0 A/
div, − 6.1 A offset), Io2 (Channel C3: 2.0 A/div, − 3.9 A offset), Io3 (Channel
C4: 2.0 A/div, 5 A offset). Time 50 µs/div

Table 5 Passive component values of SEPIC-Ćuk

converter combination
Inductances, mH Capacitance, µF
L1 L2 L3 C1 C2 C
1 1 1 47 47 470

Fig. 13  Waveform of input and output currents for SEPIC-Boost-Ćuk

combination converter

Fig. 16  Trigger pulses, interleaved converter

converter. Four converters have been interleaved. The circuit

scheme is the one shown in Fig. 11. The converter has been
designed for a switching frequency of 25 kHz, an input voltage of
100 V and an output voltage of

Fig. 14  Experimental prototype of SEPIC-Boost-Ćuk combination V O+ = 200 V; V O− = − 200 V

converter
shows the experimental prototype designed of SEPIC-Boost-Ćuk
converter combination. The experimental results are similar to
those of the simulation presented. Fig. 15 shows the waveforms of
the input and output currents. The average values of the voltages
are: Vg = 48 V, VO1 = 12.0 V, VO2 = 59.7 V, VO3 = 11.8 V, VO1−2 = –
47.7 V, VO2–3 = 71.5 V, VO1–3 = 23.8 V. For the currents their
average values are: Ig = 2.5 A, IO1 = −1.0 A, IO2 = 1.6 A, IO3 = 0.74
A.
On the other hand, an interleaved converter has been simulated
and designed. This is based on a SEPIC-Ćuk combination
Which requires a duty cycle of two-third for CCM.
Following the previous design rules, the values of the passive
components have been determined, resulting in those shown in
Table 5.
The load is composed of three resistance with the following
values:
R1 = R2 = 80 Ω; R3 = ∞
Fig. 16 shows the trigger pulses for each of the interleaved
converters. Each pulse has a phase shift of one-fourth period

2668 IET Power Electron., 2020, Vol. 13 Iss. 12, pp. 2658-2670
© The Institution of Engineering and Technology 2020
Fig. 17  Input current interleaved converter
Fig. 18  Output current interleaved converter at the Ćuk side
Fig. 19  Output current of each converter module at the Ćuk side
between each other with the same duty cycle. The interleaving
technique allows to increase the rated power of the converter and
reduce the ripple of the output current.
The average value of the input current is 10.73 A with a ripple,
peak to peak value, of 0.6 A. Fig. 17 shows its waveform.
The average values of the output currents, before the capacitors
C, are io+ = io− = 2.56 A. Fig. 18 shows the waveform of the
current at the Ćuk side, before the output capacitor C. The
measured ripple from peak to peak is 0.6 A.
This reduced ripple is due to the interleaving technique. The
output current of each of the converter modules is shown in
Fig. 19. It can be seen that each output current has a ripple of value
2.54 A, much higher than 0.6 A of the total output current.
IET Power Electron., 2020, Vol. 13 Iss. 12, pp. 2658-2670
© The Institution of Engineering and Technology 2020
Fig. 20  Experimental prototype of an interleaved SEPIC-Ćuk combination
converter
Fig. 21  Experimental results of the interleaved converter:
(a) Output currents at Ćuk side, I1 (Channel C1: 3.85 A/div, 10.78 A offset), I2
(Channel C2: 3.85 A/div, 3.08 A offset), I3 (Channel C3: 3.85 A/div, −4.62 A offset),
I4 (Channel C4: 3.85 A/div, −12.32 A offset), (b) Positive output current, Io + 
(Channel C1: 2.5 A/div, 2.5 A offset), negative output current, Io + (Channel C2: 2.5 
A/div, −2.5 A offset), source current, Ig (Channel C3: 5 A/div, −10 A offset). Time 20 
µs/div
Finally, Fig. 20 shows a picture of the experimental prototype
of an interleaved SEPIC-Ćuk converter. The experimental results
have allowed to verify the behaviour of the converter. The
components are the same as those shown in Table 5. The input
voltage is 100 V, the control circuit set a switching frequency of 25
kHz and a duty cycle of two-third. So, the output voltages are
±200 V. Two resistance of 80 Ω are connected to the positive and
negative output, respectively.
Fig. 21a shows the waveforms of the output currents at the Ćuk
side for each interleaved converter. It can be observed as the ripple
of the currents is ∼3 A for each output. The waveforms of the input
and output currents show a low ripple, as it can be seen in Fig. 21b.
2669
5 Conclusions
This work describes the methodology and the basic procedure
developed by the patent entitled New Configurations of DC–DC
Converters of One Input and Multiple Outputs without Transformer
and Power Converter that Apply Them.
Different topologies of converters with an SIMO have been
presented. Each converter is the result of combining different basic
converters of single input and single output (SISO). These SISO
converters are step-down (buck), step-up (boost) and step-down/
step-up (buck–boost): Ćuk, SEPIC (single ended primary
inductance converter), Zeta, CSC (canonical switching cell) and
buck–boost single-inductor.
Topological analysis of each configuration of SISO converters
indicates that there are several of them that have same elements at
the input, with the common connection node, of each input, located
in the same place. This allows these converters can be combined,
using the common front, giving rise to new configurations of an
SIMO.
The proposed converters are characterised by having a single
power switch and not requiring a transformer. So, it results in a
smaller size, lower weight and simplicity compared to other known
SIMO DC–DC configurations.
A generalisation of the methodology developed has allowed to
obtain modular converters with 2N, 3N, 4N and 6N outputs and a
single input, from N converter modules.
For high power, N SIMO converters connected in parallel can
be used applying the interleaving technique. It consists of shifting
phase the trigger pulses of each converter of 2π/N radians.
All the combined converters obtained are analysed and verified
by simulation and some configurations were experimentally
developed.
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IET Power Electron., 2020, Vol. 13 Iss. 12, pp. 2658-2670
© The Institution of Engineering and Technology 2020