Analysis of Dead-Time Energy Loss in GaN-Based TCM Converters With an Improved GaN HEMT Model

For gallium nitride (GaN) based triangular current mode (TCM) applications, the dead-time has a significant effect on the switching loss. However, previous GaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) models focus on the turn-on/off process without fully considering the effect of the dead-time. Hence, this article analyzes the switching transients under the superfluous and insufficient dead-time and evaluates the dead-time loss with an improved GaN HEMT model. The proposed model improves an existing GaN HEMT model by adding the voltage rising/falling time of the gate driver, the dynamic threshold voltage of Schottky-type GaN HEMTs, and an equivalent gate-drain capacitance obtained from the datasheet. Verified by a GaN-based double-pulse test, the proposed model can more accurately calculate the gate-source voltage and the self-commutated reverse conduction voltage. Verified by a GaN-based TCM Buck converter, the proposed model can predict the dead-time loss well and has higher simulation accuracy for the turn-on process induced by the inappropriate dead-time.