Modelling and Simulation of Dual Active Bridge Converter Using MATLAB/Simulink

Abstract

Conventional DC–DC converters have been widely used in power electronic systems, but their limitations such as lack of galvanic isolation, reduced efficiency at higher power levels, and restricted bidirectional power flow have driven the need for more advanced converter topologies. To address these challenges, the Dual Active Bridge (DAB) converter which is a DC-AC-DC converter has emerged as an effective solution due to its high efficiency, inherent isolation, and flexible control of power transfer. This paper presents the modeling and simulation of a DAB converter using MATLAB. The performance of the system is analyzed under different phase-shift conditions to evaluate power transfer characteristics and Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). Phase-shift modulation is employed to regulate both the direction and magnitude of power flow between two DC sources. Simulation results indicate that the harmonic distortion present in the inductor current waveform decreases with an increase in phase-shift angle up to a optimal point , resulting in improved waveform quality and enhanced converter performance and beyond that optimal point harmonic distortion slightly increases. The study demonstrates that the DAB converter is a reliable and efficient solution for modern power electronic applications, particularly in energy storage systems and bidirectional power conversion.

Introduction

The text explains the need for advanced power electronic converters in modern energy systems, driven by the increasing use of renewable energy sources like solar and wind and the growth of energy storage systems and electric vehicles. These systems require efficient, reliable, and bidirectional power flow.

Limitations of Traditional Converters

Conventional DC–DC converters have several drawbacks:

• No galvanic isolation
• Low efficiency at high power levels
• High switching losses due to hard-switching
• Limited flexibility and scalability

These limitations make them unsuitable for modern applications that require bidirectional and efficient energy transfer.

Dual Active Bridge (DAB) Converter as a Solution

The Dual Active Bridge (DAB) converter is introduced as a superior topology that addresses these issues. It consists of:

• Two full-bridge converters (high-voltage and low-voltage sides)
• A high-frequency isolation transformer
• A coupling inductor

Key Advantages:

• Bidirectional power flow (charging and discharging capability)
• Galvanic isolation for safety
• High efficiency due to soft switching, reducing switching losses and heat
• Compact design enabled by high-frequency transformer
• Scalability and modularity for high-power applications
• Fast dynamic response to load changes

Power flow is controlled by adjusting the phase shift between the two bridges, making control simple and effective.

Operation Principle

• Both bridges generate square-wave voltages at the same frequency.
• Power transfer depends on the phase difference:
  • HV leading LV → power flows from high-voltage to low-voltage side
  • LV leading HV → reverse power flow
• The inductor ensures continuous current flow and enables soft switching.

Switching states define how energy is transferred through the transformer, and the inductor current waveform is directly influenced by the phase shift.

Applications and Research Focus

The DAB converter is widely used in:

• Energy storage systems
• Electric vehicles
• Renewable energy integration
• DC microgrids

Ongoing research focuses on improving:

• Modeling accuracy
• Control strategies
• Efficiency under varying operating conditions

Study Objective

The paper specifically models and simulates the DAB converter using MATLAB/Simulink, analyzing:

• Power transfer behavior under different phase shifts
• Inductor current waveform characteristics
• Harmonic behavior and overall performance

Conclusion

This paper discusses about the modelling and simulation of aA Dual Active Bridge (DAB) converter using MATLAB/Simulink for bidirectional power transfer in various phase shift conditions. The converter\'s performance was assessed for different operating conditions in terms of inductor current waveform and Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). The simulation results show that the DAB converter can effectively provide the controllable bidirectional power transfer between the high-voltage and low-voltage sides. It was found that the harmonic distortion reduces with the increase in phase-shift angle due to better current continuity. The lowest THD (4.85%) was observed at an optimum phase shift of 126°, which indicates the best operating point for enhancing the waveform quality and the performance of the converter. After this, a slight rise in THD was noticed, suggesting that too much phase shift may lead to additional circulating currents. The findings also demonstrate that the harmonic distortion level is related to the magnitude of the phase shift, not the power flow direction, as the same level of harmonic distortion was observed for both lead and lag conditions with the same phase shift. Thus, the DAB converter is a potential solution for energy storage, DC microgrids, electric vehicles, and other emerging power electronic systems that need efficient bidirectional power converters.

References

[1] H. Qin and J. W. Kimball, “Generalized average modeling of dual active bridge DC–DC converter,” IEEE Trans. Power Electronics, vol. 27, no. 4, pp. 2078–2084, 2012 [2] N. Vazquez et al., “Analysis and modeling of the dual active bridge DC–DC converter,” IEEE Trans. Power Electronics, vol. 29, no. 10, pp. 5111–5120, 2014. [3] X. Huang, F. C. Lee, Q. Li, and W. Du, “High-frequency isolated bidirectional DC–DC converter technologies,” IEEE Trans. Power Electronics, vol. 28, no. 6, pp. 2921–2933, 2013. [4] X. Zhao, Q. Yu, and X. Sun, “Analysis and control of dual active bridge converter with phase-shift modulation,” IEEE Trans. Power Electronics, vol. 27, no. 5, pp. 2339–2347, 2012. [5] F. Krismer and J. W. Kolar, “Efficiency-optimized high-current dual active bridge converter,” IEEE Trans. Industrial Electronics, vol. 59, no. 7, pp. 2745–2760, 2012. [6] D. G. Lamar, M. Arias, and J. Sebastian, “An overall study of dual active bridge converter,” IEEE APEC, 2008. [7] R. W. Erickson and D. Maksimovi?, Fundamentals of Power Electronics, Springer, 2001. [8] S. Inoue and H. Akagi, “A bidirectional DC–DC converter for energy storage systems,” IEEE Trans. Power Electronics, vol. 22, no. 6, pp. 2290–2296, 2007. [9] J. W. Kolar et al., “Design and control of high-frequency transformers,” IEEE Trans. Industrial Electronics, 2010. [10] M. Pavlovsky et al., “Control techniques for DAB converters,” IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 2015. [11] G. Ortiz et al., “Soft-switching techniques in DAB converters,” IEEE Trans. Industrial Electronics, 2013. [12] Y. Shi et al., “Modular DAB converters for high power applications,” IEEE Trans. Power Electronics, 2016. [13] B. Zhao et al., “Phase-shift control strategies for DAB converters,” IEEE Trans. Power Electronics, 2014. [14] MathWorks, “MATLAB/Simulink Documentation,” Available: https://www.mathworks.com .

Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Velidandi Saketh Reddy, Dr. T. Murali Krishna , Pappu Manogna, Samala Surya Teja. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.