Quasi-Y Source network: A design and analysis approach for a DC-DC application

This paper presents a detailed design methodology for a DC-DC converter based on the recent Quasi-Y Source impedance network, which has interesting characteristics for applications related to renewable energy sources. Despite the advantages of this particular impedance network, there is a lack in the current literature, of details regarding the design of the diode and coupled inductors, and a description of its leakage inductance impact on the performance of the Quasi-Y-Source based converter. Therefore, this work presents design guidelines for the coupled inductors including core material choice criteria and optimization of windings combinations. Several analyses are conducted, through computational simulation, with respect to voltage stresses on the converter switches. The simulations results are compared with experimental implementation considering different voltage gain B operational scenarios. The obtained results shows that the proposed approach is useful to design: (a) Quasi-Y Source DC-DC converter components; (b) Evaluate the best coupled inductors configuration; (c) Implement closed loop controllers and snubbers circuits. A discussion evaluating the converter characteristics is made, exploring possible solutions to problems related to real operation scenarios.