Analysis, Design, and Implementation of a Soft-Switched Active-Clamped Forward Converter with a Current-Doubler Rectifier

This study examines the zero-voltage switching (ZVS) operation of an active-clamped forward converter (ACFC) with a current-doubler rectifier (CDR). The ZVS condition can be obtained with a much smaller leakage inductance compared to that of a conventional ACFC. Due to the significantly reduced leakage inductance, the design is optimized and the circulating loss is reduced. The operation of the ACFC with a CDR is analyzed, and a detailed ZVS analysis is conducted on the basis of a steady-state analysis. From the results, a design consideration for ZVS improvement is presented. Loss analyses of the converters shows that enhanced soft-switching contributes to an efficiency improvement under light-load condition. Experimental results from a 100-W (5-V/20-A) prototype verify that the ACFC with a CDR can attain ZVS across an extended load range of loads and achieve a higher efficiency than conventional ACFCs.