Introduction to Digital Power Conversion 
  XMC4000/1000 Family 
 
  PWM Generation 
Application Guide  38  V1.0, 2015-01 
     
4.11.2  Zero-Voltage Switching (ZVS) Control 
ZVS  implies  nearly  lossless  transitions.  In  combination  with  smooth  zero  crossing  by  resonance 
components, an almost ideal switching process is achievable. This effect can be made by controlling 
the free-wheeling currents and using the parasitic stray reactive elements (See also Figure 27). 
Instead of using a traditional, combined control of the diagonal switches, there are individual delays 
implemented  to  focus  the  ZVS  spots  to  occur  in  appropriate  time,  and  to  keep  the free-wheeling 
current polarity unchanged. 
Free-wheeling Current Control by Active Clamp 
When the upper (or the lower) switches are conducting simultaneously, due to the phase shift, the 
transformer and the free-wheeling inductive current path is short circuited to the upper (or lower) input 
voltage rail.  
The time-constant (‘L/R’) almost reaches infinity with this current on-holding active clamp.  
ZVS Control 
During the delay, in  front  of  each  turn-on  event, the switch remains off and  is  clamped to  a  zero 
voltage drop by the resonance effect.  
The switch is held off while the free-wheeling current circulates via a body diode and the opposite leg 
switch, still on. The inductive energy has to last for this though.  
 
Figure 27  PWM – Phase-Shift-Full-Bridge (PSFB) with Zero-Voltage Switching (ZVS)