Analysis of self-oscillating DC-DC resonant power converters using a hysteretic relay

The paper presents a technique for exciting resonant DC-DC converters in a self-oscillating manner. The analysis necessary to predict the behaviour of such converters is also given. The oscillation is based on the behaviour of a hysteretic relay with a negative hysteresis transition. Self-oscillating converters benefit from higher efficiency/higher power density than their non-self-oscillating counterparts as they can be operated closer to the tank resonant frequency. The self-oscillating mechanism presented here is also simple and cost effective to implement. A prototype converter is presented in order to verify the theoretical claims.