Design, analysis, and implementation of an equalizer circuit for the elimination of voltage imbalance in a half-bridge boost converter with power factor correction

Abstract

For the implementation of a boost converter, the half-bridge topology provides a simpler conversion circuit; however, the voltage imbalance between the capacitors is a critical factor since traditional control methodology decreases the power factor when correcting the imbalance. Consequently, this paper proposes a circuit to correct such imbalance keeping the power factor at the same time. Then, this work carries the analysis, simulation, and implementation of a strategy to reduce voltage imbalance in a half-bridge boost converter with correction of the power factor. The first part offers a description of the equalizer circuit; then, an average model is employed to perform the mathematical analysis. Later, a comparison via simulation is undertaken including other conventional converters in different scenarios. Moreover, an experimental laboratory setup is made; the results show that the equalizer circuit reduces voltage imbalance between the capacitors in a half-bridge booster converter.