Scientific Bulletin of the Electrical Engineering Faculty 2008

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SEPIC, CUK AND ZETA CONVERTERS

Florian ION 1 , Gabriel PREDUSCA

2.1. OPERATING PRINCIPLES

Abstract: In this paper a comparative study of DC-DC

converters is presented. The SEPIC, Cuk and ZETA
converters in applications are detailed. Also are presented
the operating simulation for these converters. The results
of simulations are compared with the measurements done
for a ZETA converter with an output of 3.3V and different
output currents.

2.1 Fundamental DC-DC Converters

From the viewpoint of input and output voltages V1
and Vo, the fundamental converters are: (1) step-down or
buck converters, (2) step-up or boost converters, (3) step
down/up or buck-boost converters. Figure 1 shows the
principle diagrams of these topologies.

Keywords: DC-DC converters, SEPIC converter, Cuk

converter, ZETA converter

1. INTRODUCTION

L1

Its well known that to have the maximum efficiency

of the solar panels, the load must be connected to the
solar panel through a DC-DC converter. The topologies
and the operation of these converters are very well
described in the literature. A classification of these
converters is presented in [1]. The authors of [1]
consider the DC-DC converters in six decades: (1)
classical/traditional converters, (2) multiple-quadrant
converters, (3) switched component converters, (4) softswitching converters, (5) synchronous rectifier
converters, (6) multiple energy-storage elements
resonant converters. The classical/traditional converters
are divided in five categories: (1) fundamental
converters, (2) transformer-type converters, (3)
developed converters, (4) voltage-lift converters, and (5)
super-lift converters.
The converters studied in this paper are classical
developed converters well known in literature like
converters in SEPIC (Single Ended Primary Inductance
Converter) topology, Cuk and ZETA (Positive Output
Luo Converter). The developed-type converters derived
from fundamental converters by addition of a low-pass
filter. In [2] these converters are considered like a
MASTER converter switched by a PWM signal, and a
SLAVE converter achieved with passive components.
Because the great usage of converters in the
topologies mentioned above in applications, we found
opportunity for a short presentation of operating
principles, simulations and some experimental results
in this work. The equations of main operating
parameters, advantages and disadvantages of each
topology are presented in chapter 2 of this paper. The
simulations and the measurements are presented in
chapter 3, and the final conclusions in chapter 4.
1
2

L2

V1
C1

Co

Rs

Co

Rs

Co

Rs

a)
D

L1

L2

V1
S

C1

b)
S

L1

V1

L1
C1

c)

Figure 1. Fundamental DC-DC Converters: a) buck

converter, b) boost converter, c) buck-boost converter.

In ideal operating conditions (no voltage loss on the

switch S, the average voltage across inductors L at
steady state zero, no current loss on capacitors C, and
no voltage loss on diode at forward conduction) the
equations of ratio Vo/V1 are:
for the buck converter (1):
Vo
=D
(1)
V1
where D is the duty cycle of PWM signal of switch S,
with the meaning from equation (2),
t
(2)
D = ON
T

Valahia University/Electronic Department, Targoviste, Romania, e-mail: flion@valahia.ro

Valahia University/Electronic Department, Targoviste, Romania, e-mail: gpredusca@valahia.ro

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Scientific Bulletin of the Electrical Engineering Faculty 2008

where tON is the conduction time of switch S and T is
the period of PWM signal.
for the boost converter (3):
Vo
1
=
(3)
V1 1 D
for the buck-boost converter (4):
Vo
D
=
(4)
V1 1 D
In all these equations the internal resistance of
power supply V1 was considered zero [3].

L1

V1

L2
S

Co

Rs

Co

Rs

Co

Rs

a)
L1

L2

V1
S

2.2. Developed DC-DC converters

b)
S

Figure 2 shows the topologies of developed DC-DC

converters.
These topologies have few similitudes:
The equation of the transfer function of these
converters is (4), the same with that one of buck-boost
converter, if the conditions of Continuous Conduction
Mode CCM are assured.
These converters are used in different
applications, such as with solar panels, in systems
supplied with electrical energy where the output
voltage Vo of converter can be superior or inferior of
the input voltage V1 of converter. The fundamental
converters dont accept this situation. These converters
are integrated in the MPPT of solar panels.
The capacitor C assures the galvanic insulation
between input and output. The short-circuits or others
breakdown of the load dont affect the power supply
solar panels.
The output voltage becomes zero if the PWM
control signal of switch S is missing.
The diode D can be replaced by a transistor
switched synchronal with the main switch in the
synchronous converters.
The differences between these topologies are:
SEPIC and Cuk converters became from the boost
converter, and ZETA converter from the buck-boost
converter.
The ripple current in the load is greater for Cuk
and ZETA converters than SEPIC, because the SEPIC
converter has an inductor L2 that smooth the current
spikes.
The switch S of SEPIC ad Cuk converters is a N
channel MOS transistor that needs a Low Side driver,
when the ZETA converter has a P channel MOS
transistor that needs a High Side driver.
Because, these three topologies have many
advantages mentioned above, these things make
enable their integration in applications with a great
efficiency of using the solar energy in solar panels
with MPP trackers.

V1

L2

L1
D

c)

Figure 2. Developed DC-DC Converters: a) SEPIC

converter, b) Cuk converter, c) ZETA converter

2.3 Integration of convertors in MPPT systems

The perturb-andobserve (PAO) method for the

MPPT is an iterative approach. The MPP is obtained
by making the derivate of power equal with zero in the
feedback circuit that commands the duty cycle of
switch S. This is very useful because doesnt need the
disconnection of panels from the load. Through this
method can be reached good results if it is compared the
instantaneous conductance of panel with the incremental
conductance of panel the method is known as
Incremental Conductance Technique (ICT) [4].
If it is considered the equivalent circuit of the solar
panel like in Fig. 3, with vi the input voltage of panel
and ri the equivalent input resistance of panel, Pi the
input power, Po the output power (5), the
P = 0 means (6).

Pi = Po =

v i2
ri

(5)

v i
V
= i
(6)
ri
2 Ri
The method proposed in [4] resides in the
connection of a SEPIC or Cuk converter between the
solar panel and load. The converter works in
continuous current mode (CCM) through inductor L1
Figure 2 a), but with discontinuous voltage (DCV) on
the capacitor C. The duty cycle of PWM signal of
switch is adjusted in a proper way to achieve the input
resistance of converter equal with the output resistance
of solar panel. Figure 3 shows the equivalent circuit of
solar panel and converter.

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Scientific Bulletin of the Electrical Engineering Faculty 2008

Figure 3. Equivalent circuit of a solar panel and

converter [4]

The operating equations of SEPIC converter in

DCV mode are the next: (7a) the voltage on
capacitor C, (7b) the voltage on diode D.
I
I 1 (1 d )TS
Vo 2 t , 0 < t < d 1TS

C
C

v C (t ) = Vo ,
d 1TS < t < dTS (7a)
I
1 (t dTS ) Vo,
dTS < t < TS
C

Vo + v C (t ), 0 < t < d 1TS

v D (t ) =
d1TS < t < TS
0,

(7b)

where I1 and I2 are the inductor currents - assumed to

be constant, dTS is the conduction time of switch, d1TS
is the conduction time of diode D, and TS is the period
1
of PWM signal of switch - TS =
, fS frequency of
fS
PWM signal.
The three sequences in one switching cycle are
shown in Figure 4.
Because the voltage of capacitor C at d1TS
I
is v C (d 1TS ) = Vo , the duty cycle is d 1 = 1 (1 d ) .
I2
In the steady state the voltage on the inductor L2 is
zero. From this moment the output voltage Vo is equal
with the average voltage of diode D (8).

Figure 4. Operating principle of the SEPIC converter.

a) equivalent circuits, b) theoretical waveforms [4]

3. Simulations

In this chapter it will be presented few

representative waveforms of each topology. The
simulations were done in OrCAD, in the next
conditions:
d
T
T
1 1S
Vo =
v D (t )dt = S I 1 (1 d )d 1
(8)
input voltage V1=12V,
TS 0
2C
output voltage Vo=3.3V,
Moreover, the voltage stress on the switch S is
load resistance RS=3.3,
given by (9).
duty cycle D=0.22,
In the same way can be determined the operating
switching frequency fS=500kHz,
equations of Cuk and ZETA topologies. This is
coupling capacitor C=47F,
shown in [4].
output capacitor Co=100F,
I1
inductors L1=L2=6.2H.
v stres = v C (TS ) + Vo = (1 d )TS
(9)
C
3.1 The SEPIC converter

To simulate the operation of SEPIC converters it

was used the diagram from Figure 2 a). In Figure 5 a),
b), and c), is shown the output voltage Vo, the ripple of

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Scientific Bulletin of the Electrical Engineering Faculty 2008

output voltage Vo, and the voltage stress Vstress of

switch S.
At steady state after 1.5ms, these values are:
V0=3.5V, Vo=6mVpp, and Vstress=16V.

0V

-2.0V

6.0V

-4.0V

4.0V

-6.0V
0s

0.5ms

1.0ms

1.5ms

2.0ms

2.5ms

3.0ms

3.5ms

4.0ms

V(R4:2)
Time
2.0V

a) Vo output voltage

0V

-3.60V

-2.0V
0s

0.5ms

1.0ms

1.5ms

2.0ms

2.5ms

3.0ms

3.5ms

4.0ms

-3.65V

V(R4:2)
Time

Vo output voltage

a)

-3.70V

3.7200V
-3.75V

-3.80V
0.8773ms 0.9000ms
V(R4:2)

3.7150V

0.9500ms

1.0000ms

1.0500ms

1.1000ms

Time

b) Vo output ripple
3.7100V
20V

3.7056V
2.960ms
2.962ms
V(R4:2)

2.964ms

2.966ms

2.968ms

2.970ms

2.972ms

2.974ms

2.976ms

15V

2.978ms

Time

b)

Vo output ripple

10V

20V
5V

15V
0V
877.34us

878.00us
V(M2:d)

879.00us

880.00us

881.00us

882.00us

883.00us

884.00us

Time

c) Vstress voltage stress on switch

10V

5V

Figure 6. Simulated waveforms of Cuk converter: a)

output voltage, b) output ripple, c) voltage stress of switch

0V
2.96000ms
V(M2:d)

2.96400ms

2.96800ms

2.97200ms

2.97600ms

2.97897ms

Time

c)

Conclusions on simulations are in Table 1.

Vstress voltage stress on switch

Table 1. Simulation Results

Figure 5. Simulated waveforms of SEPIC converter: a)

output voltage, b) output ripple, c) voltage stress of switch

SEPIC

Topology
Cuk
ZETA

Vo [V]

3.51

3.51

3.41

Vo [mVpp]

28

26

Vstress [V]

16

16

16

Voltage

3.2. The Cuk conveter

To simulate the operation of Cuk converter it was

used the diagram from Figure 2 b). Figure 6 a), b) and
c) shows the waveforms of output voltage, output
ripple and voltage stress of switch in the same
conditions.
At steady state after 0.5ms, these values are:
V0=3.51V, Vo=28mVpp, and Vstress=16V.

3.4. Experimental verifications

An experiment has been performed using a ZETA

topology on a LTC1622 a Current Mode Step-Down
DC/DC converter of Linear Technology [5]. The
schematic diagram is the typical application proposed
by the producer and is shown in Figure 8 [6].
In Figure 9 are the waveforms in the next
conditions: V1=8.3V, Vo=3.3V, RS=20 (Io=165mA).
The channels of oscilloscope represent: CH1 VG
PWM signal on the gate of MOS transistor, CH2 VD
drain voltage of MOS transistor, CH3 VC voltage

3.3. The ZETA converter

To simulate the operation of ZETA converter it was

used the diagram from Figure 2 c). Figure 7 a), b) and c)
shows the waveforms of output voltage, output ripple
and voltage stress of switch in the same conditions.
At steady state after 0.5ms, these values are:
V0=3.41V, Vo=26mVpp, and Vstress=16V.

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Scientific Bulletin of the Electrical Engineering Faculty 2008

on positive pin of capacitor C, CH4 Vo output

voltage ripple.
In Figure 10 are the waveforms in these conditions:
V1=4.9V, Vo=3.4V, RS=10 (Io=340mA). It can be
observed other values for switching frequency and
duty cycle of PWM signal.

systems where these conditions are reached very often

like solar panels in different levels of solar radiation.
The results of measurements are in Table 2.
The circuit LTC1622 changes the switching
frequency Figure 9, 10, 11, in a wide range from
265 kHz to 1024 kHz. Also, the duty cycle D of PWM
signal in the gate of the MOS transistor is changed
according with the work conditions input and output
voltage, and the output current, to insure a constant
value of output voltage.
The ripple of output voltage measured in real
conditions is few times greater than that one obtained
in ideal conditions of simulations.

6.0V

4.0V

2.0V

0V
0s

0.5ms

1.0ms

1.5ms

2.0ms

2.5ms

3.0ms

3.5ms

4.0ms

V(R8:2)
Time

a) Vo output voltage
3.62V

3.61V

3.60V

3.59V
4.65ms
V(R8:2)

4.70ms

4.75ms

4.80ms

4.85ms

4.90ms

4.95ms

5.00ms

Time

b) Vo output ripple
20V

15V

Figure 9. Waveforms of VG, VD, VC, Vo in conditions:

V1=8.3V, Vo=3.3V, RS=20

10V

5V

0V
4.650ms
4.652ms
V(M1:s)- V(M1:d)

4.654ms

4.656ms

4.658ms

4.660ms

Time

c) Vstress voltage stress on switch

Figure 7. Simulated waveforms of ZETA converter: a)
output voltage, b) output ripple, c) voltage stress of switch

Figure 8. ZETA converter with LTC1622 [9]

Figure 10. Waveforms of VG, VD, VC, Vo in conditions:
V1=4.9V, Vo=3.4V, RS=10

The experimental waveforms in the conditions:

V1=7.1V, Vo=3.4V, RS=5 (Io=680mA) are shown in
Figure 11.
It can be seen that the ZETA converter build with the
LTC1622 integrated circuit works well with input
voltages less than output voltage and at an input voltage
over the output voltage. This advantage can be used in
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Scientific Bulletin of the Electrical Engineering Faculty 2008

REFERENCES
[1]

F. L. Luo, H. Ye, Advanced DC/DC Converters,

CRC Press, 2004.
[2] S. Maniktala, Slave Converters Power Auxiliary
Outputs, EDN Magazine, Elsevier, 2002.
[3] P. Constantin, et al., Electronic industrial, Editura
Didactic i Pedagogic, Bucureti, 1983.
[4] H. S-H. Chung, et al., A Novel Maximum Power
Point Tracking Technique for Solar Panels Using a
SEPIC or Cuk Converter, IEEE Transaction on Power
Electronics, Vol. 18, No. 3, May 2003.
[5] M. Dobre, F. Ion - supervisor, Corecia factorului de
putere n convertoarele n comutaie cu reele de
comutare de ordin zero, Proiect de diplom,
Universitatea Valahia, Trgovite, iulie 2007.
***, LTC1622 Low Voltage Input Current Mode StepDown DC/DC Controller, Data Sheet, Linear
Technology, 1998.

Figure 11. Waveforms of VG, VD, VC, Vo in conditions:

V1=7,1V, Vo=3,4V, RS=5
Table 2. Measurement results

ZETA converter with LTC1622

with output voltage 3.3V
Voltage

V1=8.3V, V1=4.8V, V1=3.2V,

Io=165mA Io=165mA Io=165mA

Vo [Vpp] 1.37

0.82

0.60

fS [kHz]

265

524

504

Voltage

V1=8.3V, V1=4.9V, V1=8.3V, V1=7.1V,

Io=340mA Io=340mA Io=680mA Io=680mA

Vo [Vpp] 1.25

0.83

1.45

1.12

fS [kHz]

759

1024

562

913

4. CONCLUSIONS

In this paper was presented a comparative study of

DC-DC converters in SEPIC, Cuk and ZETA
topologies.
It was studied the fundamental converters and
developed converters in the topologies mentioned
above. The operation equations of main parameters
were presented.
Moreover, it was presented the simulations of these
converters in the same work conditions.
The waveforms that have seen on a ZETA
converter with a constant output voltage and variable
input voltage and load confirmed the simulations
results of that converter.

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