Design and analysis of a bidirectional cascaded buck-boost converter using average current mode control for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) charging.

Abstract

With the increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), alternative charging methods have become essential, especially in emergency scenarios where conventional infrastructure may be unavailable. Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) charging presents a practical solution, allowing direct energy transfer between EVs. However, differences in battery voltage levels pose a challenge, requiring a converter capable of both voltage step-up and step-down operations. This study proposes and analyzes an off-board V2V charging system based on a bidirectional cascaded buck-boost converter (CBBC). The CBBC topology enables efficient bidirectional power flow and operates in multiple modes depending on the voltage levels of the source and receiving batteries. This flexibility makes it suitable for real-world V2V applications where battery states vary. To regulate energy transfer, the system uses Average Current Mode (ACM) control, chosen for its superior stability and lower sensitivity to noise compared to traditional current control methods. ACM control ensures precise current regulation and smooth transitions between charging and discharging, enhancing system reliability. Simulation results confirm that the proposed CBBC-based system effectively manages V2V energy exchange, providing a viable emergency charging solution and contributing to the resilience and adaptability of EV charging networks.