A Novel Buck-Boost Control Technique for
Push-Pull Parallel-Resonant Converters
D.J. Thrimawithana*, U. K. Madawala* and P. Lunenburg†
* The University of Auckland/Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Auckland, New Zealand
†
Tru-Test Limited, Mt. Wellington, Auckland, New Zealand
Abstract— This paper presents a new control technique by
which the voltage gain of a push-pull parallel resonant
converter can be varied. The technique operates the
converter either in Buck or Boost mode by varying the
switching frequency above and below its natural resonance
frequency, respectively. A split-capacitor topology is used
and a variable phase-shift, modulated into the switch signals
at damped resonance frequency, generates the desired
switching frequency. The operation of the circuit under all
three modes is discussed in detail using a simplified model.
Experimental results of a 50W prototype converter, which
indicate that the output can be varied from 75 to 135% of its
nominal value, are compared with simulated results to show
the validity of the proposed concept.
Key words- push-pull, resonant, converters
I. INTRODUCTION
Ultra compact, low noise and efficient power converters
are in demand as they have today become an essential
component in most modern equipment. Design of
converters with conventional hard-switched PWM
technology to meet such desirable characteristics is not a
viable option as such designs inherently suffer from high
switching losses, switch stresses, and electromagnetic
interference (EMI), particularly at elevated operating
frequencies where compact designs are possible. This
difficulty fueled a new era of converter design and control,
making use of either the natural or force resonance
phenomena between circuit components in the converter
itself. These converters are referred as resonant and quasi-
resonant topologies and their resonance is usually
achieved by employing dedicated or parasitic circuit
components [1-7].
The main characteristic of the resonant technology is
that it allows for the converter switches to be operated
either with zero current or zero voltage, or with both zero
current and zero voltage. With such operations, the
switching losses and capacitive losses in these topologies
are very low; hence, they can be operated efficiently at a
much higher frequency. Moreover, the well defined
waveforms across the components result in low dv/dt and
di/dt, which in turn reduce noise and simplify EMI
filtering [7].
However, the resonant technology has a disadvantage
that it suffers from higher component voltage/current
stress than that imposed by the hard-switched converters.
For example, voltage stress on a switch of a typical
parallel resonant converter is much higher than its input
voltage as the resonant tank voltage appears across the
switch even though current stress is low as the current is
1-4244-0136-4/06/$20.00 '2006 IEEE 2805
confined to the resonant tank, not allowing to pass through
the switch. On the other hand, the voltage stress on
switches in a series type resonant converter is low and the
current stress is high, as the resonant current generally
flows through the switch [7].
In comparison to hard-switched technology, the limited
controllability of the output is another disadvantage of the
resonant technology. Usually, the zero voltage or zero
current switching is sacrificed to achieve control over a
wider load range. Some converters use a pre-regulating
stage to control the output. For example Unitrode
UC3871 converter solution is designed to control a push-
pull parallel-resonant converter with a buck-type pre-
regulating stage. This solution is less attractive since it
requires additional components, which reduce efficiency
and generate more EMI [6-7].
Various resonant converter topologies that have been
developed to overcome the deficiencies presented by hard
switched converters include half bridge, full bridge, push-
pull type resonant converters and their derivatives.
Among these the current fed push-pull parallel-resonant
converter (PPRC) is particularly popular due to its
simplicity, low to medium power capability, high
efficiency and low component cost. Typically the PPRC
is operated at a constant frequency, which is just below its
natural resonance frequency. Under this operating
condition and at light load, the peak (switch) load voltage
of the converter is independent of the loading and is
approximately π times the input DC voltage when a 1:1
isolation transformer is used [1-7].
A PPRC control technique has been reported for
controlling the voltage transfer ratio with zero voltage
switching for a wide load range [8-10]. The technique
only allows the output voltage of the converter to be
increased (boost mode) from its nominal value. This is
achieved by decreasing the switching frequency of the
converter below its resonant frequency. The main
drawbacks of this method are the limited control over the
voltage transfer ratio and the higher voltage stresses on the
switches.
The authors propose a novel control technique that
enables both Buck and Boost modes of operation over the
entire load range without sacrificing the zero voltage
switching (ZVS). According to literature and to the best
knowledge of the authors, a control technique that
facilitates both Buck and Boost operation of a PPRC has
not been reported to date. A simplified model is
presented, and a full description of the technique,
accompanied by simulated and experimental results of a
50W prototype system, is given.
 II. THE PROPOSED TOPOLOGY Idc

Split Winding Tx
Sbuck Ldc
The operation of a conventional push-pull parallel L2
IL2 IL1
L1
T1
resonant converter, where L1 = L2 and shown in Fig. 1, is To Control Unit
C

well understood [1-12]. The converter is normally D1

IC Rload

operated just below the resonant tank frequency ωr (rad/s) Vdc

1:n

as given by (1), to enable zero voltage switching at light S2 S1

load. Typical gate voltages of S1 (VG1), drain-source
IS2 IS1
Control Unit

voltages of S1 (VS1) and S2 (VS2), under this condition

are shown in Fig. 2. Since the average voltage across LDC
should be zero at steady state, the peak voltages across the Fig. 3. A push-pull resonant converter with a pre-regulator stage
switch (Vs)pk and the load (VL)pk can be calculated by (2)
and (3), respectively [8-10].
As discussed in [8-10], the push-pull parallel resonant
1 converter shown in Fig. 1, can be operated at switching
ωr = (1) frequencies lower than the natural frequency of the
4 L1C resonant tank to achieve a variable voltage transfer ratio.
Under these conditions, the gate and switch voltage
(Vs )pk = πVDC (2) waveforms of S1 are shown in Fig. 4, and those for S2
would be the same but 1800 phase-shifted.
(VL )pk = n π VDC (3)

Where ‘n’ is the transformer turns ratio. According to

(2), the peak voltage stress on the switches is
approximately 1.2kV when a converter is operated from a
230V AC mains supply.

Idc

Split Winding Tx
Ldc
L2 L1
IL2 IL1
T1
C
IC
Vdc Rload

1:n

S2 S1
IS2 IS1 Fig. 4. Switch voltages for a PPRC in boost mode
Control Unit

The peak voltage (Vpk) across switches in situations

Fig. 1. A typical current fed push-pull resonant converter
where the switching frequency (ωs) is lower than the
natural frequency (ωr), is given by (4) for light loads.
Accordingly, the switch voltage stress under this condition
would be much higher than 1.2kV for a 230V AC mains
operated converter [8-10]. This poses a major difficulty
for many commercial applications since industrial grade
fast semiconductor switches are only available up to about
1.2kV and become expensive at these elevated voltages.

(Vpk )s = πVDC ωωr (4)

s

The technique that the authors propose overcomes this

Fig. 2. Switch voltages of a typical PPRC converter
Fig. 3 shows a push-pull parallel resonant converter that
employs a buck-type pre-regulating stage. The buck
converter regulates the input to the push-pull parallel-
resonant converter, in order to maintain a given DC
transfer ratio across the load [6].
difficulty by allowing the PPRC to operate in either buck
or boost modes. The switch voltage of the converter could
be varied either above or below the nominal value given
by (3), by varying the switching frequency and still
retaining the ZVS for light loads. The proposed technique
is based on the conventional push-pull parallel-resonant
converter but with a slight modification. A schematic
diagram of the proposed topology, where the resonant
capacitor is split across the two switches, is shown in Fig.
5. The isolation transformer is omitted for simplicity, and
the modified configuration enables the converter to be
operated in three separate modes depending on the
switching frequency, as described below.

2806
 1. Normal operation – Switches are operated at the
natural frequency (ωr) of the resonant tank. The
peak load voltage is given by (3).
2. Boost operation – Switches are operated below the
natural resonant frequency of the resonant tank.
During this mode the peak voltage produced across
the load is higher than the value given by (3).
3. Buck operation – Switches are operated above the
natural resonant frequency of the resonant tank. The
peak load voltage is lower than the value given by
(3).
The peak voltage across the switches during the buck
mode of operation is given by (4) [13]. A detailed
discussion on these three modes of operation is given
below.
Idc
Ldc
Split Winding Tx
L2
IL2
IC2 C2
Rload
Vdc
7, to analyse the operation of the circuit. Under this
operating condition; the control signals to the switches,
voltages across the switches and the currents flowing in
the circuit are shown in Fig. 8.
1. At t=t0, switch S1 is turned off and S2 is turned on.
At this moment, the current through the split winding
transformer is a positive maximum, determined by
the resonant current and the DC current. The
resonant current flows through the capacitor and the
body diode of S2 charging C1.
2. At t=t1, the current through S2 starts flowing in the
opposite direction commutating D2 off and S2 on.
The resonant current through L is still positive.
3. At t=t2, the capacitor voltage (Vs1) reaches the peak
voltage as given by (2) and starts discharging since
the resonant current flows in the opposite direction.
4. At t=t3, the capacitor current has reached the
minimum value.
5. At t=t4, the capacitor voltage (Vs1) has reached zero
IL1
L1
and half the switching period has elapsed. At this
time S1 is turned-on and S2 is turned off, to repeat
C1 IC1
steps 1-4 with C2.

IS2-ID2 (1) (2)

IS1-ID1
S2 S1 i(t) i(t)
Control Unit
VS2 VS1 L L i(t)+Idc/2
i(t)-Idc/2 Idc/2-i(t)
VG2 VG1 D C1 C1
i(t)+Idc/2

Fig. 5. The proposed push-pull converter topology

(3 to 5)
III. OPERATION OF THE CONVERTER i(t)

The circuit shown in Fig. 5 could be simplified for Same process i(t)+Idc/2
L i(t)-Idc/2
analysis by replacing the split winding transformer with repeated with C1
other capacitor
two current sources and an equivalent resonant inductor as
shown in Fig. 6. All components are assumed to be ideal
during the discussion. The natural operating frequency Fig. 7. Five stages of the resonant cycle in the normal mode
(ωr) of the converter under the normal mode of operation
is governed by L and C, where L = 4L1, L1 = L2 and C =
C1 = C2, and is given by (1).

Equivalent of the Split Winding Tx

Idc/2 Idc/2
Vdc

L
Rload
D2 D1
S2 S1
C2 C1

Fig. 6. An equivalent model of the proposed topology

Fig. 8. Voltage and current waveforms during normal mode

A. Normal Operation
Normal operation takes place when the converter is
operated at a switching frequency (ωs) that is equal to ωr.
In this mode the switch (load) voltage is independent of
the load for light loads and is given by (3). The resonant
cycle could be divided into five phases, as shown in Fig.
B. Boost Operation
During Boost operation, the converter is operating at a
switching frequency ωs that is lower than the natural tank
frequency of the converter (ωr). Under this condition, the
switch voltage is independent of the load at light load and

2807
is given by (4). The resonant period could be divided into current through the split winding transformer
six stages, as shown in Fig. 9, to analyse this mode. These remains constant since Ldc is large.
stages are discussed below in relation to the voltage and 6. At t=t5, half the switching period has elapsed and S1
current waveforms shown in Fig. 10. is turned-on while S2 is turned-off by the control
circuit, repeating the operation discussed from t0-t5
(1)
i(t)
(2)
i(t)
with capacitor C2.
L L i(t)+Idc/2
i(t)-Idc/2
D C1 C1
i(t)+Idc/2 Idc/2-i(t)
C. Buck Operation
The switches are driven at a frequency ωs that is higher
Same process
than the natural frequency of the converter (ωr) to operate
repeated with
other capacitor
the converter in the buck mode. Under these conditions
the switch voltage is given by (4) and it is independent of
(6)
I(max)
(3 to 5)
i(t) the load. During this operation, the resonant period could
be divided into seven stages, as depicted in Fig. 11. The
L I(max)-Idc/2 L i(t)-Idc/2
D C1
corresponding voltage and current waveforms are shown
I(max)+Idc/2
i(t)+Idc/2
in Fig. 12.

(1 to 3) (4)
i(t) i(t)
Fig. 9. The six phases of the resonant cycle in the Boost mode
L L
i(t)-Idc/2 i(t)-Idc/2
C2 C1 D C1
i(t)+Idc/2 i(t)+Idc/2

Same process
repeated with
other side

(6) (5)
i(t) i(t)

L i(t)-Idc/2 L
i(t)+Idc/2
C1 C1
Idc/2-i(t) i(t)+Idc/2

Fig. 11. The seven phases of the resonant cycle in the Buck mode

Fig. 10. The voltages and currents of a PPRC operating in Boost mode

1. At t=t0, switch S1 is turned-off and S2 is turned-on.

At this moment, the current through the split winding
transformer is a positive maximum. The resonant
current flows through the capacitor and the body
diode of S2 charging the capacitor C1 connected
across S1.
2. At t=t1, the current through S2 starts flowing in the
opposite direction commutating D2 off and S2 on.
The resonant current through L is still positive.
3. At t=t2, the capacitor voltage (Vs1) reaches the peak
voltage as given by (4) and C1 starts discharging Fig. 12. The voltages and currents of a PPRC operating in Buck mode
since the resonant current is flowing in the opposite
direction. 1. At t=t0, switch S1 is turned-off and S2 is held-off by
4. At t=t3, the capacitor (C1) current has reached the the control circuit since the voltage across C2 has not
minimum value. reached zero. At this moment the current on L1 is
5. At t=t4, the capacitor voltage (Vs1) has reached zero reaching a positive maximum. The resonant current
and the current through the split winding transformer flows through the capacitors C1 and C2 resulting the
has reached a minimum. At t4 half of the resonant voltage across C1 to build and C2 to decrease.
period has elapsed. Since switching period is greater 2. At t=t1, the current on the inductors have reached a
than the resonant frequency of the tank, S1 is held-off peak.
while S2 is held-on by the control circuit. The diode 3. At t=t2, the voltage across the capacitor C1 is equal to
D1 starts conducting at this moment and C1 voltage is the voltage across C2.
held at zero, until the switches are toggled. The

2808
 4. At t=t3, the voltage across C2 has reached zero and
the body diode of S2 starts conducting, clamping the
voltage across S2 to zero. The control circuit detects
the zero voltage and holds the gate of S2 low until
the switching period is completed.
5. At t=t4, the current through S2 starts flowing in the
opposite direction commutating D2 off and S2 on.
The resonant current through L is still positive.
6. At t=t5, the voltage across C1 is a maximum and the
current on L1 has reached Idc/2. C1 starts discharging
since the resonant current is flowing in the opposite
direction through S2.
7. At t=t6, half the switching period has elapsed and S2 (a)
is turned-off by the control circuit repeating the
operation discussed from t0-t6 with the other side of
the split winding transformer.
VS1

IV. SIMULATION AND EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS VS2

A prototype 50W push-pull resonant converter, shown
in Fig. 13, was built to test the validity of the proposed IL1
control technique. The supply to the converter was
maintained constant at 100V and the load voltage was
allowed to change during the experiments to facilitate the
three modes of operation. The converter was operated in
an open loop configuration and the control unit was driven
with a variable frequency source, dictating the mode of (b)
operation.
Fig. 14. Normal operation (a) Simulation (b) Experimental

Fig. 13. A 50W prototype

The prototype system was constructed with LDC = 3mH, (a)

L1=L2= 218 uH, C1=C2=4.7 nF and S1=S2=IRFB9N60, to
give a natural frequency of 78kHz. However, the
measured natural frequency of the prototype was found to
be 73kHz, and the shift in frequency is attributed to the VS1
leakage inductance of the split winding transformer and
the parasitic capacitance of the switches.
VS2
Fig. 14 compares the simulated and experimentally
obtained switch voltages and inductor current (L1) of the
converter when it is operated close to the natural tank IL1
frequency. The waveforms are in good agreement. Under
this condition, the prototype converter was supplying 23W
to the 2.4kΩ load at 90% efficiency, and the switch
voltage was 330V, as expected.
The converter was operated at 53 kHz to investigate the
(b)
boost mode operation. The simulated and experimental
Fig. 15. Boost operation (a) Simulation (b) Experimental
results are shown in Fig. 15 when the converter was
supplying 28W to a 2.4kΩ load at 90% efficiency. As
predicted, the voltage stress on the switches has increased The buck mode of operation was verified by operating
to 445V from 330V, confirming the boost operation. the converter at 93 kHz with a 2.4 kΩ load resistor. The
simulated and experimental waveforms are shown in Fig.

2809
16. The measurements showed a decrease in peak load frequency of the converter. The lower power capability of
voltage as predicted by (4). An efficiency of about 90% the converter results in an elongated tale of the buck mode
and a load voltage of 256 V were measured under this switch waveforms. These aspects are being investigated.
operating condition.
The relationship between peak load voltage and the VI. CONCLUSIONS
switching frequency was investigated by operating the A novel control technique to operate a push-pull
converter at switching frequencies above and below the parallel resonant converter as a buck or boost converter,
tank resonant frequency with a 2.7 kΩ load. As evident has been described. The technique uses a split-capacitor
from Fig. 17, the measured peak voltage is in good topology and operates the converter both below and above
agreement with that predicted by (4). its natural resonance frequency to achieve control over the
load voltage with zero voltage switching. The
controllability of switch voltage is achieved at the expense
of higher conduction loss, which is caused by the resonant
current that passes though the switch. Experimental and
simulated results were in good agreement and confirmed
the validity of the proposed concept, which allows the
converter to be operated in three different modes.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors would like to thank Bob Woodhead and
Tru-Test Ltd for their support as well as the NZ
Technology for Industrial Fellowship (TIF) program for
funding the research project.
(a)
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V. DISCUSSION [13] D.J. Thrimawithana, and U. Madawala, “An Analysis of a Novel
Push-Pull Converter,” Tru-Test Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand,
The experimental results obtained from the prototype Tech. Rep., June, 2005
resemble the simulation results and verify the switch
voltage stress given by (4). The maximum power
throughput capability of the converter changes with the
switching frequency. This shows an inverse relationship
with the frequency. The power throughput of the converter
reaches zero when it is operated at twice the natural

2810