Improving the Light-Load Regulation Capability of LLC Series Resonant Converter Using Impedance Analysis

Abstract

Generally, an LLC series resonant converter (LLC SRC) is an attractive topology for applications, which require wide input variation and high conversion efficiency because of its wide gain capability and soft-switching capability. However, there is a regulation problem in which the output voltage increases as the load current decreases. In this paper, Bode plot and impedance asymptote analysis were conducted to obtain an intuitive sense of the regulation characteristic of LLC SRC under the light-load condition. Moreover, to improve the regulation capability, a new resonant tank with an additional capacitor is proposed. Its design guidelines were determined by Bode plot and impedance asymptote analysis. Therefore, the proposed LLC SRC achieves very light load regulation, while it maintains the advantages of typical LLC SRCs.