A Nonisolated ZVS Self-Driven Current Tripler Topology for Low-Voltage and High-Current Applications

A new nonisolated zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) current tripler topology is proposed in this paper. It is suitable to nonisolated low input voltage applications, especially 12 V input voltage regulator modules (VRMs). At the same time, due to high gate drive voltage using the input voltage, the conduction losses of the SRs can be reduced. The self-driven scheme can also achieve the reduced body diode conduction and gate energy recovery of the SRs so that no external drive IC with the dead time control is needed. More importantly, the existing multiphase buck controllers and buck drivers can be directly used in the proposed topology. Other benefits of the isolated current tripler are also maintained. The nonisolated self-driven current quadrupler and N -phase rectifier are also proposed. A 12-V input, 1.0-V/50-A output, 1-MHz prototype was built to verify the advantages of the proposed topology.