Simple topologies of PWM AC-AC converters

This letter proposes a new family of simple topologies of PWM AC-AC converters with minimal switches. With extension from the basic DC-DC converters, a series of AC-AC converters such as buck, boost, buck-boost, Cuk, and isolated converters are obtained. By PWM duty ratio control, they become a "solid-state transformer" with a continuously variable turns ratio. All the proposed AC-AC converters in this paper employ only two switches. Compared to the existing circuits that use six switches or more, they can reduce cost and improve reliability. The operating principle and control method of the proposed topologies are presented. Analysis and simulation results are given using the Cuk AC-AC converter as an example. The analysis can be easily extended to other converters of the proposed family.