Current driven synchronous rectifier with energy recovery

Abstract

A synchronous rectifier is disclosed which makes use of current driving technique to enable low conduction loss in converter rectifiers. In addition to a low loss switch the present invention comprises essentially a transformer with a plurality of windings with at least one current sensing winding, one driver winding which provides driving signal for the synchronous rectifier, and windings for energy recovery. This synchronous rectifier is self-driven but operates independent of converter input voltage hence allow wide input voltage range. It also avoids effect of leakage inductance in converter transformer windings. With energy recovery means it can operate with high efficiency. This synchronous rectifier can operate in many different circuit topologies.