SMPS Switching Power Supply Topologies: Comparison and Selection

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http://www.smps.us/topologies.html

SWITCHING MODE POWER SUPPLY (SMPS) TOPOLOGIES

OVERVIEW, COMPARISON AND SELECTION GUIDE
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Switch mode power supply (SMPS) circuits contain networks of energy storage inductors and capacitors
as well as power handling electronic switches and rectifiers. Their particular arrangement is referred to
as a topology. There are about a dozen main converter topologies used in practical power design. The
table below summarizes and compares electrical features and characteristics of the main switching
regulator circuits. This chart is followed by the converter topology selection guide.

Converter
topology

Diagram

DC
transfer
function
(Vout/Vin)

Max
switch
voltage

Peak switch
current

Max
rectifier
voltage

Average
rectifier
current

Switch
utilization
ratio (SUR)

NON-ISOLATING CONVERTERS
D
Buck

Vin

Iout

Vin

IoutD

Vout/Vin

Vout

IoutVout /Vin

Vout

Iout

Vin/Vout

Vin+|Vout|

Iout
(1+|Vout|/Vin)

Vin+|Vout|

Iout

|Vout|/Vin

Vin+|Vout|

Iout
(1+|Vout|/Vin)

Vin+|Vout|

Iout

|Vout|/Vin

Vin+Vout

Iout

Vin+Vout

Iout

Vout/
(Vin+Vout)

Vout+
(VinNs/Np)

Iout

(0<D<1)
1/(1-D)
Boost
(0<D<1)
Flyback
(inverting) or
buck-boost

-D/(1-D)
(0<D<1)
-D/(1-D)

uk
(0<D<1)
D/(1-D)
Sepic
(0<D<1)

ISOLATING CONVERTERS

Flyback

(2Pout
LpF/Vin)

Vin+Vout
(Np/Ns)

DVin/LpF

(0<D<1)

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SMPS Switching Power Supply Topologies: Comparison and Selection

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2-switch
flyback

(2Pout
LpF/Vin)

http://www.smps.us/topologies.html

Vin

DVin/LpF

Vout+
(VinNs/Np)

Iout

D/4

(0<D<0.5)
D1:
IoutD

Ns/NpD
2Vin

Forward

IoutNs/Np

VinNs/Np
D2:
Iout(1-D)

(0<D<0.5)

2-switch
forward

Active
clamp
forward

Halfbridge

Pushpull

D1:
IoutD

Ns/NpD
Vin

IoutNs/Np

VinNs/Np
D2:
Iout(1-D)

(0<D<0.5)

D1:
IoutD

Ns/NpD
Vin/(1-D)

IoutNs/Np

VinNs/Np

(0<D<1)

D2:
Iout(1-D)

Ns/NpD

Vout/Vin
(1-VoutNp/
VinNs)

IoutNs/Np

VinNs/Np

0.5Iout

Vout/2Vin
Ns/Np

2Vin

IoutNs/Np

2VinNs/Np

0.5Iout

Vout/4Vin
Ns/Np

Vin

IoutNs/Np

2VinNs/Np

0.5Iout

Vout/2Vin
Ns/Np

Vin

IoutNs/Np

VinNs/Np

0.5Iout

Vout/2Vin
Ns/Np

2Ns/NpD
(D<0.5)

2Ns/NpD
(0<D<0.5)

Phase shifted
full bridge

Vout/2Vin
Ns/Np

Vin
(0<D<0.5)

Full bridge

Vout/2Vin
Ns/Np

2Ns/NpD
(0<D<0.5)

Notes:
1. All formulas are given for ideal circuits. Ripple currents, voltage spikes, diodes voltage drop and power losses are
excluded.
2. Flyback equations are given for discontinuous mode of operation.
3. SUR is total switch utilization ratio defined as SUR=Pout/nVmaxImax, where n- the number of power switches in
the circuit, Vmax and Imax- their peak voltage and current.

TOPOLOGY SELECTION CONSIDERATIONS .

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SMPS Switching Power Supply Topologies: Comparison and Selection

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http://www.smps.us/topologies.html

There is no single topology, which is best for all applications. The right switching power supply topology
for a given application should be selected based on specific requirements for the power supply design
including cost, size, time factors, and expected production volume. For example, for low-volume designs,
the engineering expenses may be more important than BOM cost. In this case, you may want to choose
a straightforward approach in which you are most experienced. For a high-volume production, you'll want
to put extra engineering efforts in developing new solutions, minimizing component cost and assembly
labor. When the functional requirements are conventional, the power level is usually the main factor that
determines the topology. As an illustration, the table below shows the topologies I would prefer for a
downstream DC-DC converter in an offline switching power circuit depending on its output power level.
This selector guide is given for the power sources with output voltages below 60V running off 120 to
400V DC-link (which is typical for rectified AC input line voltage or the output of a PFC boost). Note, all
the information here is just a basic guidance, which is based on the author's personal view. It does not
constitute a professional or a legal advice (see our Disclaimer linked below).
0-100 W,
Iout<5 A

0-100 W,
Iout>5 A

200-400 W

400-1200 W

1200-3000 W

Single switch flyback

2-switch flyback

Single switch forward

2-switch forward

Half bridge

Full bridge

ZVT full bridge

Note: At power levels above 3000W consider using multiple interleaved converters

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1/6/2011 12:25 PM