4.1.2.

Current-bidirectional
two-quadrant switches

• Usually an active switch,

controlled by terminal C
i
1 on • Normally operated as two-
(transistor conducts)
i quadrant switch:
+
C off v • can conduct positive or
v negative on-state current
– • can block positive off-state
on
0 (diode conducts) voltage
• provided that the intended on-
state and off-state operating
BJT / anti-parallel instantaneous i-v points lie on the composite i-v
diode realization characteristic characteristic, then switch can
be realized as shown

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 12 Chapter 4: Switch realization

 Two quadrant switches

i switch
on-state
current
on
1 (transistor conducts)
i
+
off v
v
switch
– off-state
voltage
0 on
(diode conducts)

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 13 Chapter 4: Switch realization

 MOSFET body diode

i 1
on
(transistor conducts) i
+
off v C
v

on
–
(diode conducts)

Power MOSFET Power MOSFET, Use of external diodes

characteristics and its integral to prevent conduction
body diode of body diode

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 14 Chapter 4: Switch realization

 A simple inverter

iA
+
Q1
Vg + D1 vA v0(t) = (2D – 1) Vg
–
– L iL

+ +

Vg + D2 v C R v0
– B
Q2
– –
iB

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 15 Chapter 4: Switch realization

 Inverter: sinusoidal modulation of D

v0(t) = (2D – 1) Vg

Sinusoidal modulation to
v0 produce ac output:
Vg D(t) = 0.5 + Dm sin (ωt)

D The resulting inductor

0
0.5 1 current variation is also
sinusoidal:
–Vg v0(t) Vg
iL(t) = = (2D – 1)
R R

Hence, current-bidirectional
two-quadrant switches are
required.

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 16 Chapter 4: Switch realization

 The dc-3øac voltage source inverter (VSI)

ia

Vg +
– ib
ic

Switches must block dc input voltage, and conduct ac load current.

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 17 Chapter 4: Switch realization

 Bidirectional battery charger/discharger

D1
L

+ +
vbus Q1
D2 vbatt
spacecraft
main power bus Q2
– –

vbus > vbatt

A dc-dc converter with bidirectional power flow.

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 18 Chapter 4: Switch realization