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Research Article |

Design of a High Frequency DC-DC Converter with a Bootstrap MOSFET Driver Circuit

Author(s): Tretiakov N. K.1, Rene P. V.1*, Kuznetsov V. E.1, Koksharov D. N.2, and Zaitsev F. V.2

Published In : International Journal of Electrical and Electronics Research (IJEER)        Volume 14, Issue 1

Publisher : FOREX Publication

Published : 30 March 2026

e-ISSN : 2347-470X

Page(s) : 207-215

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37391/IJEER.140122

Abstract

The development and improved accessibility of modern microchips and semiconductor components enable the design of more cost-effective and efficient high-frequency converters. The selection of the power circuit topology and control system, which directly influence device performance, is of critical importance when designing a high-frequency converter. Among the primary elements of the control system are transistor drivers, with the bootstrap driver implementation gaining particular popularity due to the proliferation of single-package isolated high-side and low-side switch ICs. The application of this driver circuitry in a 100 kHz PSFB DC-DC converter presents several limitations and specific characteristics that are examined in detail in this study. This work provides experimental results (oscillograms) from testing a developed 3 kW PSFB DC-DC converter with bootstrap transistor drivers operating under a load consisting of a secondary H-bridge DC-AC converter. The incorporation of AND logic gate ICs into the control signal paths of high-side transistor drivers to provide additional hardware protection against malfunctions during microcontroller loading/failure/reboot conditions introduces a control signal delay of approximately 5 ns, representing less than 1% of the PWM period, yet sufficient to cause asymmetric power transformer currents and subsequent magnetic saturation. The research findings may be valuable and applicable for designing similar types of power conversion systems.

Keywords: Bootstrap MOSFET Driver, PSFB DC/DC, PWM, High Frequency, Asymmetrical, Saturation Current.




Tretiakov N. K., Department of Automatic Control Systems, St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University «LETI», Saint Petersburg, Russia

Rene P. V., Department of Automatic Control Systems, St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University «LETI», Saint Petersburg, Russia; Email: pvrene@stud.etu.ru

Kuznetsov V. E., Department of Automatic Control Systems, St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University «LETI», Saint Petersburg, Russia

Koksharov D. N., Power Electronics Development Department, LLC «Dvingo», Krasnodar, Russia

Zaitsev F. V., Power Electronics Development Department, LLC «Dvingo», Krasnodar, Russia

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Tretiakov N. K., Rene P. V., Kuznetsov V. E., Koksharov D. N., Zaitsev F. V (2026), Design of a High Frequency DC-DC Converter with a Bootstrap MOSFET Driver Circuit. IJEER 14(1), 207-215. DOI: 10.37391/IJEER.140122.