Fernando Lessa Tofoli

Dr. Fernando Lessa Tofoli

Department of Electrical Engineering, Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei, São João del Rei, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

23Years (2004-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 October 2015 in IET Power Electronics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
FTFernando Lessa Tofoli
Fernando Lessa Tofoli
DPDênis de Castro Pereira
Dênis de Castro Pereira
WPWesley Josias de Paula
Wesley Josias de Paula
DJDemercil Oliveira Junior
Demercil Oliveira Junior
The major consideration in dc–dc conversion is often associated with high efficiency, reduced stresses involving semiconductors, low cost, simplicity and robustness of the involved topologies. In the last few years, high‐step‐up non‐isolated dc–dc converters have become quite popular because of its wide applicability, especially considering that dc–ac converters must be typically supplied with high dc voltages. The conventional non‐isolated boost converter is the most popular topology for this purpose, although the conversion efficiency is limited at high duty cycle values. In order to overcome such limitation and improve the conversion ratio, derived topologies can be found in numerous publications as possible solutions for the aforementioned applications. Within this context, this work intends to classify and review some of the most important non‐isolated boost‐based dc–dc converters. While many structures exist, they can be basically classified as converters with and without wide conversion ratio. Some of the main advantages and drawbacks regarding the existing approaches are also discussed. Finally, a proper comparison is established among the most significant converters regarding the voltage stress across the semiconductor elements, number of components and static gain.

1 November 2010
Verified
Conference Paper
Closed access
JFJoao Paulo M. Figueiredo
Joao Paulo M. Figueiredo
FTFernando Lessa Tofoli
Fernando Lessa Tofoli
BSBruno Leonardo A. Silva
Bruno Leonardo A. Silva
The need for solid-state ac-dc converters to improve power quality in terms of power-factor correction (PFC), reduced total harmonic distortion at input ac mains, and precisely regulated dc output have motivated the proposal of several topologies based on classical converters such as buck, boost, and buck-boost. Additionally, novel control techniques dedicated to PFC have also been introduced, motivating the manufacturing of commercial integrated circuits to impose sinusoidal currents in the front-end stage of switch-mode converters. Boost converters operating in continuous current mode (CCM) have become particularly popular because reduced electromagnetic interference (EMI) levels result from its utilization. Within this context, this work deals with a comprehensive review of some of the most relevant ac-dc single-phase boost converters for PFC applications. The evolution of the conventional boost converter is demonstrated in terms of improved characteristics achieved by other boost-based topologies. Besides, it seeks to establish a fast and concise guide on ac-dc boost converters to researchers and experts in power electronics by comparing the topologies.

3 April 2012 in IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
FTFernando Lessa Tofoli
Fernando Lessa Tofoli
DJDemercil Oliveira Junior
Demercil Oliveira Junior
RTRené Pastor Torrico-Bascopé
René Pastor Torrico-Bascopé
YAYblin Janeth Acosta Alcazar
Yblin Janeth Acosta Alcazar
This paper introduces a new family of dc-dc converters based on the three-state switching cell and voltage multiplier cells. A brief literature review is presented to demonstrate some advantages and inherent limitations of several topologies that are typically used in voltage step-up applications. In order to verify the operation principle of this family, the boost converter is chosen and investigated in detail. The behavior of the converter is analyzed through an extensive theoretical analysis, while its performance is investigated by experimental results obtained from a 1-kW laboratory prototype and relevant issues are discussed. The analyzed converter can be applied in uninterruptible power supplies, fuel cell systems, and is also adequate to operate as a high-gain boost stage with cascaded inverters in renewable energy systems. Furthermore, it is suitable in cases where dc voltage step-up is demanded, such as electrical fork-lift, audio amplifiers, and many other applications.

1 October 2015 in IET Power Electronics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
AFAntônio Alisson Alencar Freitas
Antônio Alisson Alencar Freitas
FTFernando Lessa Tofoli
Fernando Lessa Tofoli
EJEdilson Mineiro Sa Junior
Edilson Mineiro Sa Junior
SDSergio Daher
Sergio Daher
FAFernando Luiz Luiz Marcelo Antunes
Fernando Luiz Luiz Marcelo Antunes
This study presents the analysis, design and experimental evaluation of a high‐voltage gain dc–dc converter applied to photovoltaic (PV) systems. A PV module rated at 17 V is connected to the input side, whereas the converter is responsible for stepping the voltage up to 311 V with the achievement of maximum power point tracking (MPPT). An experimental prototype rated at 100 W is implemented, which does not employ electrolytic capacitors, thus increasing the useful life of the arrangement and also allowing the incorporation of the converter to the PV module. Prominent advantages of the topology are low cost and simplicity in terms of the MPPT algorithm and the system implementation, which are mandatory characteristics for renewable energy applications.

16 August 2012 in IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
YAYblin Janeth Acosta Alcazar
Yblin Janeth Acosta Alcazar
DJDemercil Oliveira Junior
Demercil Oliveira Junior
FTFernando Lessa Tofoli
Fernando Lessa Tofoli
RTRene Pastor Torrico-Bascope
Rene Pastor Torrico-Bascope
This work introduces a dc-dc boost converter based on the three-state switching cell and voltage multiplier cells. A brief literature review is presented to demonstrate some advantages and inherent limitations of several topologies that are typically used in voltage step-up applications. The behavior of the converter is analyzed through an extensive theoretical analysis, while its performance is investigated by experimental results obtained from a 1-kW laboratory prototype, as relevant issues are discussed. The converter can be applied to uninterruptible power supplies and is also adequate to operate as a high gain boost stage cascaded with inverters in renewable energy systems. Furthermore, it can be applied to systems that demand dc voltage step up such as electrical fork-lift, renewable energy conversion systems, and many other applications.

20 June 2011 in IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
JBJuan Paulo Robles Balestero
Juan Paulo Robles Balestero
FTFernando Lessa Tofoli
Fernando Lessa Tofoli
RFRodolfo Castanho Fernandes
Rodolfo Castanho Fernandes
GTGrover Victor Torrico-Bascope
Grover Victor Torrico-Bascope
FSFalcondes José Mendes de Seixas
Falcondes José Mendes de Seixas
The need for solid-state ac-dc converters to improve power quality in terms of power factor correction, reduced total harmonic distortion at input ac mains, and precisely regulated dc output has motivated the investigation of several topologies based on classical converters such as buck, boost, and buck-boost converters. Boost converters operating in continuous-conduction mode have become particularly popular because reduced electromagnetic interference levels result from their utilization. Within this context, this paper introduces a bridgeless boost converter based on a three-state switching cell (3SSC), whose distinct advantages are reduced conduction losses with the use of magnetic elements with minimized size, weight, and volume. The approach also employs the principle of interleaved converters, as it can be extended to a generic number of legs per winding of the autotransformers and high power levels. A literature review of boost converters based on the 3SSC is initially presented so that key aspects are identified. The theoretical analysis of the proposed converter is then developed, while a comparison with a conventional boost converter is also performed. An experimental prototype rated at 1 kW is implemented to validate the proposal, as relevant issues regarding the novel converter are discussed.